CHI-Zone Fellowship

Fellowship 2026: Person-Centred Innovation in Complex Long-Term Conditions

This prestigious, fully funded programme offers a unique opportunity for Fellows to deepen their commercial acumen and grow their professional network, through immersion in the health and care innovation ecosystem across the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and beyond.

Impact Through Bold Ideas

Each year, a dynamic theme guides the cohort in responding to urgent needs and envisioning high-impact innovations. The 2026 focus will be Person-Centred Innovation in Complex Long-Term Conditions. Fellows will work alongside leading experts and peer innovators to develop strategies and explore technologies capable of delivering step-change improvements in the context of complex long-term conditions (multimorbidity).

Programme Highlights

The programme, delivered over 12 sessions (including in-person and online masterclasses), covers a broad range of topics, including:

  • Human-centred design and validating demand - putting people at the heart of innovation 

  • Delivering to customers – going from insight to adoption

  • Regulation and ethics considerations for data driven solutions 

  • Launching innovations and securing the partnerships and funding needed for impact

People sitting at a wooden table during a meeting, with notebooks and pens in front of them, near a window.

Programme Benefits

The CHI-Zone Fellowship brings together people from varied backgrounds, united by a shared goal. Fellows benefit from:

  • A supportive environment to build connections with like-minded professionals

  • The opportunity to learn from different expertise, experiences and perspectives

  • Space to step back from your project, think long-term and explore new ideas

  • A collaborative network to inspire new approaches and opportunities

Join the Movement

Applications open on September 1st. Keep up to date with the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, or register your interest to receive an email once the applications open.

Testimonials

  • The CHI-Zone Fellowship has been a genuinely transformative experience; one that challenged how I think about mental health, innovation, and my role within the wider system.

    — Chukwunwike Ayalogu

  • To be known is one thing but to be understood is whole different feeling. CHI Zone has understood the people and their need to explore this very cruicial topic, mental health. It talks great deal how the fellowship has done it's very best to bring people of different worlds to sit in a room and understand where people are coming from when they talk about their concerns. Precuation is better than cure but precaution at the right time when and where needed is also as crucial. Truly, good work and amazing experience CHI-Zone!

    — CHI-Zone Fellow

  • I have really valued being part of this Fellowship. The programme has deepened my understanding of developing innovative solutions in mental health and technology and I have especially appreciated the team’s support, which has often gone above and beyond. Thank you to the whole team for creating such a thoughtful, encouraging and impactful experience.

    — Carl Grainger

  • I'd highly recommend this fellowship as it is a great opportunity to upskill in commercial knowledge as well as meet entrepreneurs from different backgrounds. The community built during this programme is valuable and unique.

    — CHI-Zone Fellow

  • A thoroughly enriching experience both personally and professionally. The knowledge, insights and networks you will acquire through the fellowship are vital for changemakers exploring solutions to complex wicked challenges of our time. I highly recommend it.

    — CHI-Zone Fellow

Meet the 2025 Fellows

Adam Drage

  • Assistant Director of Innovation, Mersey Care

    Adam brings a strong mental health background as a qualified social worker with experience spanning clinical practice, operational leadership, and large-scale transformation. Adam leads innovation across health and care systems for all age groups, driving data-informed approaches and collaborative models that improve access, outcomes, and equity across the health and care sector.

Becky Austin

  • Designer and Doer, Capacity

    Becky is part of the Design and Doing team at Capacity, a social enterprise driving public service transformation and innovation across the Liverpool City Region. Working with partners to design and deliver solutions that improve outcomes for communities and strengthen local systems of support.

A middle-aged man with short gray hair and blue eyes taking a selfie in front of a wooden door, wearing a light pink knitted sweater.

  • Founder and Director, Viz Box Ltd

    Carl is focused on developing the Skyla NR™ virtual reality app for stroke rehabilitation. His work aims to make therapy more engaging and accessible for stroke survivors. He was honoured with the LCR Culture & Creativity Innovator Award in 2025.

Carly Openshaw

  • Founder and Director, Tiny Tools for Big Feelings CIC.

    Carly is the Founder and Director of Tiny Tools for Big Feelings CIC, a social enterprise developing trauma-informed, neurodiversity-aware interventions to improve emotional regulation and reduce anxiety in children and families. My work focuses on bridging community practice and innovation in early mental health support across education, care, and family settings.

Chukwunwike Ayalogu

  • ST5 Psychiatry Trainee, Arrowe Park Hospital

    Dr Chukwunwike Ayalogu is an ST5 Psychiatry Trainee working in Psychological Medicine and Liaison Psychiatry at Arrowe Park Hospital.

    His clinical work focuses on the interface between physical and mental health, supporting oncology and acute medical patients with complex psychological needs.

    He has a strong interest in digital innovation in mental health, particularly in the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and other technology-enabled treatments.

Ebin Sabu

  • Data-Driven Software Engineer, VEC

    Data-Driven Software Engineer at the Virtual Engineering Centre (University of Liverpool), specialising in full-stack development, cloud architecture, and data-driven solutions. Helps deliver large-scale technical projects and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across the CHI-ZONE programme.

Finn Allison

  • AI and Digital Solutions Architect, VEC

    Finn holds a PhD in mathematical modelling and brings hands-on experience in developing tools that support research, learning, and innovation. At the Virtual Engineering Centre, he works closely with businesses to design and implement AI-powered solutions, helping them translate complex research and data into impactful, real-world applications.

Florence O'Kane

  • Technology Account Partner, Quantexa

    Florence works at the crossroads of technology and social impact. With experience in consulting, and tech-enabled programmes, Florence uses data and digital tools to make systems work better. At Quantexa, Florence builds partnerships that improve health and social care, including projects with the University of Liverpool and Mersey Care. Outside of work, Florence mentors children affected by parental imprisonment through the charity Children Heard and Seen. She holds a first-class degree in Psychology from the University of Sussex.

Greeshma Halesh

  • Alumna, University of Liverpool

    University of Liverpool graduate with a master’s in Advanced Computer Science. Greeshma has always been fascinated by how technology shapes the way we learn, connect, and solve problems. She loves exploring new ideas that blend tech with creativity and real-world impact.

Holly Brown

  • Programme Manager of Healthcare Partnerships, LYVA Labs

    Holly has recently joined LYVA Labs following over six years at Alder Hey Innovation. She leads on the development of the newly established Health Innovation Ecosystem Forum in the Liverpool City Region and supports industry–NHS collaboration through a new programme aimed at tackling some of the region’s most pressing health challenges. Holly’s role demonstrates the value of working as a connected ecosystem and the impact joined-up support can offer to industry partners.

Jake Mills

  • Founder and CEO, Chasing the Stigma

    Jake Mills is the Founder and CEO of Chasing the Stigma, a national mental health charity dedicated to normalising mental health conversation and ensuring everyone can access the right support. Drawing on his own lived experience, Jake leads the charity’s groundbreaking work through the Hub of Hope, the UK’s largest and most comprehensive mental health support directory, used by the NHS and trusted by hundreds of thousands each year. Recognised as one of the UK’s leading voices in mental health advocacy, Jake is working with The Royal Foundation on national mental health initiatives and advises national policymakers on improving access to support across the UK.

Jenna Kenyani

  • Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Advisor, University of Liverpool

    With a background in cancer research and public engagement, she now focuses on improving research culture and embedding inclusive practice across higher education and public sector organisations.

    Jenna is passionate about mental health, wellbeing and neurodiversity, and has led initiatives including an annual Neurodiversity Celebration Symposium and the Post Graduate Wellbeing Ambassador Scheme. She is also a professional speaker and o delivered talks and training on neurodiversity and mental health to universities, NHS, businesses and conferences. Jenna has also chaired the University’s Disabled Staff Network for five years and led initiatives including the development of inclusive meeting guidance.

John Cheal

  • Consult Partner, Public Services, Kyndryl

    In this role, John works with public and third sector organisations to improve services, modernise infrastructure, and support digital transformation at scale.

Abstract user icon with a dark silhouette of a person on a yellow gradient background.

  • Bioscientist, University of Liverpool

    Juhi is a bioscientist with experience in genetics, pharmacology, bioinformatics and health data science. She currently works as a researcher and lecturer in children’s health at the university and Alder Hey hospital.

Kala Krish

  • Co-Founder, Who Will You Be

    Kala is the Co-Founder of Who You Will Be, a self-love platform built on the belief that lasting wellbeing begins with how we relate to ourselves. Her work focuses on creating accessible, long-term digital pathways that help people rebuild a healthier inner foundation - strengthening their sense of self in ways that support better choices, healthier patterns, and a more stable emotional life.

Katie Flanagan

  • PhD Student, University College London

    Katie Flanagan is a PhD student in the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department at University College London, within the Division of Psychiatry. Her doctoral research investigates how virtual reality technology can be used in hospice care to support patients’ wellbeing, building on her broader interests in healthcare innovation and end‑of‑life care for people with neurological conditions and dementia.

Mark Swift

  • Founder and CEO, Wellbeing Enterprises CIC

    Mark Swift is a leading social entrepreneur with over two decades of experience driving social innovation and advancing health equity across sectors. As Founder and CEO of Wellbeing Enterprises CIC, one of the UK’s pioneering healthcare social enterprises, he has reimagined how communities, public institutions, and businesses can work together to tackle health inequalities and create the conditions for people to thrive.

    A passionate advocate for health creation, social justice, and systems transformation, Mark’s work extends beyond traditional public service reform -blending community development, civic imagination, and social enterprise to unlock new models of wellbeing and societal renewal.

Oliver Le Brun

  • Founder and CEO, Beat Modules

    Oliver Le Brun is a biomedical researcher and social entrepreneur from Liverpool. He is the Founder and CEO of Beat Modules, a youth-focused digital education platform that utilises gamified lessons in schools to address public health challenges, including vaping, mental health, and promoting positive masculinities. His research background in human disease and education informs his mission to make health education more Fun, engaging, evidence-based, and accessible for young people.

Silhouette of a person against a yellow background with light circles.

  • Director and Co-Founder, Red Robin Homecare

    Rosie Robinson is Director and Co-Founder of Red Robin Homecare, leading community-based care across St Helens with more than 27 years’ sector experience. She established the local Homecare Association and Registered Managers Network and is committed to improving outcomes for older adults through collaboration and innovation.

Todd Jones

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, Grosvenor Hart Homes

    Todd is a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner working with Grosvenor Hart Homes. He is a Pragmatic Idealist on a mission to improve the lives of children and young people.

FAQs

  • The CHI-Zone Fellowship is funded by Liverpool’s Health and Life Science Innovation Zone and hosted by the University of Liverpool’s Civic Health Innovation Labs. It is intended to facilitate collaboration amongst forward-thinking professionals drawn from different sectors who are interested in designing, developing or contributing to innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in health and care.

    Fellows will be immersed in the Liverpool City Region’s innovation ecosystem - sitting side by side with thought leaders, innovators and industry stakeholders to develop their understanding of one another and build their professional network. As ambassadors for the CHI-Zone, Fellows will remain connected to the community beyond the programme to help facilitate in-depth collaborations, R&D and bring new health and care products and services to market.

    Ultimately, our aim is to support next generation leaders to explore new technologies and innovations, expedite R&D in health and care to benefit the Liverpool City Region, and unlock more impactful product and service design and implementation through cross-sector working.

    • Executive education and development opportunities delivered by leaders in their field – including online masterclasses, site visits to partner organisations, expert presentations and informal Q&A sessions to encourage collaborative discussion.

    • CHI Zone Fellows will significantly grow their cross-sector professional networks by interacting with other Fellows, key opinion leaders, and organisations that will host site visits.  The network will evolve over the course of the next five years - creating opportunities for meaningful connections to be forged amongst Fellows and for partnerships to form around collaborative opportunities to innovate.

    • Fellows who complete the programme will earn the prestigious title of ‘CHI-Zone Fellow’. This recognition will not only enhance their professional credibility but, also, opens up opportunities to remain engaged through exclusive events, networking with other leaders, and representing the Fellowship in future years – strengthening both their personal brand and professional network.

    • Association with the £160m Health and Life Sciences Innovation Zone, part of the Government’s national Investment Zone Programme, that is due to be delivered over a period of 10 years, which is associated with plans to secure £800m of public and private investment. 

    • Potential to play a part in shaping future-facing Health and CareTech innovations by sharing knowledge and expertise with participants in other CHI-Zone initiatives and facilitating access to adjacent networks.

  • We want to convene a wide range of people to accelerate the development of bold, disruptive solutions to the most pressing challenges in health and care across the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and beyond.

    We hope to recruit people from academic, the public sector, health and care professionals, people working in SMEs and large corporates, those working in professional services and in third sector organisations. 

    We need people who become CHI-Zone Fellows to be collaborative, open-minded individuals who have the potential to lead teams and projects in the near future.  Fellows need to demonstrate a strong commitment to the Liverpool City Region and to the health of the local population.  Equally Fellows need to epitomise our high standards and to be Ambassadors of the CHI-Zone in the future.

    Please note, applicants must be associated with employer organisations based in Cheshire and Merseyside.

  • There is no monetary cost to individual Fellows or their employer organisations for participation in the Fellowship – it is fully funded by the Liverpool City Region’s Health and Life Sciences Innovation Zone and forms an integral component of the Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone programme hosted by CHIL.