The Role of Champions in Driving Innovation

The following blog has been written by Dr Omar Abou Hamdan, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management & Leadership at Oxford Brookes University and co-author of the IRC Role of Champions report. 

Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing our research on Champions and their critical role in fostering innovation at the final workshop of the Technology in Professional Services (TiPS) Accelerator series. Hosted by Armstrong Watson team in Carlisle, UK, and organised by Francisco Javier Trincado Munoz and Hannah Isabelle Tornow, the event brought together experts and practitioners to discuss technology adoption in professional services.

Our research, conducted in collaboration with Professor Tim Vorley and Professor Muthu De Silva, explores how Champions act as key agents of change within organisations, driving the adoption and integration of new technologies. These individuals are not necessarily senior leaders but are influential within their networks, leveraging their credibility, expertise, and enthusiasm to promote innovation. Through their proactive engagement, Champions help overcome resistance, create momentum, and facilitate the alignment of new initiatives with organisational goals.

This work has been supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the Innovation and Research Caucus (IRC) and commissioned by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Our findings shed light on the conditions that enable Champions to thrive, such as the presence of a supportive organisational culture, clear incentives, and access to resources. By understanding these dynamics, firms can better harness the potential of Champions to accelerate technological transformation and long-term innovation. More information about our project can be found here.

Throughout the workshop, we engaged in insightful discussions on the enablers and challenges of technology adoption. Professor Tim Vorley emphasised the importance of enhancing willingness, capability, and capacity within firms, while Stuart Bailey provided valuable perspectives on the interplay of leadership, culture, and change in implementing new technologies.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this project a success!