New Possible’s British Training Awards sets out to discover and celebrate the organisations that are truly passionate about L&Ds role in building a thriving workforce.
In our ‘Sharing Success’ series, we interview British Training Awards Winners to shine a light on the inspiring initiatives that are improving workplaces across the UK and beyond. In this article we chat with Ines Borges Pires from North West London Pathology, winners of the ‘Innovation of the Year’ category.
Introducing Ines Borges Pires:
Ines is a Pathology Education Facilitator at North West London Pathology (NWLP), with a background in Biomedical Science and a strong focus on workforce development. Her role is to create meaningful training opportunities for all staff at NWLP, which includes both scientific and support staff across seven different hospitals. Ines works with managers, mentors, and learners to design and deliver training that meets both individual goals and NWLP’s Workforce Strategy. Ines shared “I am passionate about creating learning experiences that are accessible, relevant, and engaging—such as the “My Learning Today” programme”.
About North West London Pathology:
North West London Pathology (NWLP) is a multi-award winning partnership between three leading London NHS Trusts - Imperial College Healthcare, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and The Hillingdon Hospitals. Through significant investment and transformational initiatives, NWLP are now one of the largest laboratory diagnostic services providers UK wide. With seven hospital sites, they deliver a staggering 65 million tests annually. NWLP services extend to 280 GP practices serving a population exceeding two million.
My Learning Today – Setting a gold standard for CPD Delivery
North West London Pathology (NWLP) has sought to redefine professional development through its My Learning Today (MLT) initiative - an innovative, inclusive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme designed to support biomedical science staff and corporate teams across seven hospital sites. As part of NWLP’s broader training academy, MLT offers weekly learning opportunities in diverse formats, including in-person workshops, online talks, informal discussions, and interactive quizzes.
When asked what inspired the creation of My Learning Today, Ines explained: “Our Managing Director and Director of Operations recognised there was a gap in providing consistent, accessible and bite-sized Continuing Professional Development opportunities for all staff at NWLP. The training and development team were asked to create a programme that was easy to access, diverse in content, and relevant to day-to-day practice – making learning part of our culture and part of our working routine. MLT was our solution: weekly, virtual, bite-sized sessions to support professional development in a manageable format.”
The initiative was created to make CPD more accessible and engaging for all roles, encouraging a culture of continuous learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. In 2024 alone, MLT featured 50 expert speakers and delivered 35 sessions to 876 attendees. In early 2025, it has already reached 362 attendees across 9 sessions, with 325 subscribers actively engaged.
We asked Ines how NWLP selected the 50 expert speakers for 2024, she said: “Initially, I reached out to colleagues known for their subject expertise, passion for training, or involvement in key projects across NWLP. Many were keen to contribute once they understood the format and purpose of the programme. Their involvement has added real value and credibility to MLT – helping build cross-site connections, share new perspectives, and start meaningful discussions. MLT is recognised as a programme for all staff due to the involvement of speakers from different sites, teams, and all levels of expertise."
"This approach ensures that all our staff can connect with and learn from these experts, creating meaningful opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and relationship-building. Making expertise accessible to all strengthens our sense of community and promotes a culture of continuous, shared learning. In addition, each speaker serves as an ambassador for NWLP’s brand, helping to reinforce and embed our core values - expert, collaborative, patient-focused, and caring - along with the behaviours that bring them to life across our workforce.”
MLT’s success is driven by its interactive sessions include Q&As, polls, and quizzes - and its recognition of contributors through thank-you cards and expert badges. Feedback mechanisms have led to meaningful improvements, such as the introduction of webinar recordings and certificates for reflective practice.
Ines commented: “Each My Learning Today session is a 15–30 minute, online CPD opportunity designed to be informative, practical and engaging. Topics range from scientific updates to personal development, quality improvement, digital innovation, and leadership skills. Sessions are delivered by NWLP experts and often include case-studies, interactive elements, or tools that attendees can apply directly in their roles. Sessions are also recorded so staff have access to an online library on demand. After attending a session, staff can complete a reflective log to gain a certificate of attendance which can be used as proof of CPD".
The impact of MLT has been significant:
- 96% of attendees reported learning something new
- 94% said their knowledge relevant to their role had improved
- 100% of attendees would recommend the sessions to colleagues
- Staff feedback highlights the sessions as “inspirational,” “honest,” and “useful at every level”
Beyond individual development, MLT has enhanced morale, strengthened peer connections, and contributed to better patient care by keeping staff informed on best practices. By embedding learning into daily operations, NWLP has created a gold standard for CPD delivery - one that is consistent, collaborative, and deeply valued across the organisation.
What advice would Ines give to other organisations looking to create a similar continuous professional development initiative?
“Start small and stay consistent. A short but well-structured session delivered weekly can have more impact than occasional long-form training.
Consider:
- Engaging staff and stakeholders from the beginning: understand their needs, barriers, and preferences.
- Using your own experts: people love to share what they know, especially when the format is supportive and low-pressure.
- Collecting feedback and being flexible: the success of MLT lies in its ability to adapt, stay relevant, and create a culture where learning is accessible and prioritised.”
Overall, the judges praised ‘clear objectives' and 'evidence of impact’.
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