In the first episode of Season 3, host Bill Banham is joined by Richard Price, Vice Chair of the Learning Network and national workforce learning and technology specialist at NHS England. Together, they explore why in-person events and strong peer communities often out-deliver larger conferences and how practical, people-first approaches can transform workforce learning.

Richard shares insights on:

• Making a lean tech stack work while still delivering big impact.
• Building genuine partner relationships that support educators and learners alike.
• Designing purposeful events like Connect that go beyond keynotes and PowerPoints, creating space for pilots, collaborations, and real outcomes.

The conversation then widens to the global health education landscape, where challenges like workforce shortages, brain drain, aging demographics, and patchy connectivity are reshaping the future. Richard offers grounded solutions, including:

• Partnerships that align with ministries and health systems.
• Mobile-first learning that works within device and connectivity limits.
• Offline platforms that reach learners in rural or underserved regions.
• Smarter ways to measure success—competence in context, retention, preparedness—rather than ticking off course completions.

We also dive into the upcoming Connect Conference (November), highlighting what makes it stand out: time to think, purposeful networking, and learning that sticks. Expect to hear about keynote speakers like Amy Brown and Julian, plus Richard’s candid advice on building digital capability across the health workforce.

If you’re passionate about learning that actually moves the needle—whether inside a hospital trust or across national programs—this episode is a practical blueprint for doing more with less, and doing it together.

Questions for Richard include:

• What makes the Learning Network special and why does it matter to you as Vice Chair?
• Why should listeners grab a ticket for Connect this November?
• Which sessions and speakers are you most excited about at Connect?
• What are some of the biggest challenges facing the health workforce in the UK and globally?
• How can education and technology address these challenges?
• How can educators and organisations prepare for what’s next?

About Our Guest

Richard Price is a global health workforce education and technology specialist. He works with the NHS and the World Health Organization to develop learning technologies and build digital capabilities that prepare the health workforce for a digital future.

Connect with Richard Price: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpriceuk/

Connect with Bill Banham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-banham-a932a0b/

Learn more about Connect Conference: https://thelearning-network.org/event/connect-2025/
Voices of the Learning Network is the Learning Network podcast connecting the learning and development community. https://thelearning-network.org/