Industry Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunity: Dragon's Heart Institute Spread & Scale Academy 2026

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership invites expressions of interest from organisations to become industry partners, sponsors, and marketplace exhibitors at the Dragon's Heart Institute Spread & Scale Academy 2026, taking place 12-14 October 2026 at St David's Hotel, Cardiff Bay. The Spread & Scale Academy is a three-day intensive programme supporting health and social care teams to adopt and scale proven innovations and service improvements. Delivered by the Dragon's Heart Institute in partnership with the Billions Institute, it brings together multidisciplinary teams from health, social care, local government, the third sector, and partner organisations leading transformation projects. Since 2019, the Academy has trained over 1,000 learners across 241 project teams, achieving significant impact including solution spread, financial savings, and environmental benefits. This opportunity provides direct engagement with 100+ delegates including senior leaders, clinicians, managers, improvement specialists, and transformation teams from across Wales. Delegates attend with active projects and actively seek ideas, expertise, technologies, and partnerships to accelerate improvement and innovation. Expressions of interest are welcomed from organisations providing expertise, products, or services supporting innovation and transformation in health and social care, including: digital and technology solutions, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, medical technology and digital health innovation, life sciences and pharmaceutical organisations, and improvement and transformation support services. Other relevant sector organisations demonstrating value to delegates are also encouraged to apply. Note: This is not a procurement exercise and does not constitute a call for competition. Participation does not provide preferential access to procurement opportunities or NHS contracts. Any future procurement activity would be conducted separately through appropriate public sector procurement routes. Expressions of interest should be submitted to Sarah Yellen (sarah.yellen@wales.nhs.uk) by Friday 28 August 2026. A template will be shared upon receipt. For enquiries, contact Huw Griffiths, Head of Dragon's Heart Institute (dragons.heart@wales.nhs.uk). Visit https://dragonsheart.org/programme/spread-and-scale/ for further information.