#WHIS
World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) empowers communities to take charge of their health and wellbeing, reducing pressure on healthcare systems. Through a holistic, person-centered approach, WHIS fosters collaboration between patients, clinicians, businesses, and policymakers to drive sustainable health solutions.
Our Mission & Vision
WHIS strengthens healthcare by prioritizing prevention, early intervention, and innovation. We create economic and social value while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our global network connects stakeholders to co-design solutions that improve health, support local economies, and reduce health inequalities.
Our Model & Impact
As a community interest company, WHIS reinvests revenue into local health initiatives, bridging gaps between industry, investors, and communities. By integrating Health, Economy, Education, Environment, and Ecosystems, WHIS creates social capital, supports healthcare recruitment, and develops sustainable health innovation hubs.
Since 2015, WHIS has hosted summits, wellness programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives worldwide, demonstrating that every £1 invested generates £36 in social return. With the rising demand for personalized, accessible healthcare, WHIS drives transformation by connecting innovators and fostering scalable, evidence-based solutions.
Join Us
Through WHISKids, WHISatwork, WHISSeniors, WHISGreen, and WHISTech, we build healthier communities globally. Together, we can shift from reactive care to prevention, ensuring a sustainable future for health and wellbeing.
#TogetherWeInspire
Publications of Note:
Intellectual Capital in the Digital Economy
Edited By Patricia Ordóñez de Pablos, Leif Edvinsson
Chapter 3: The World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) Platform for Sustainable Development. From the Digital Economy to Knowledge in The Healthcare Sector.
Gareth Presch, Francesca Dal Mas, Daniele Piccolo, Maksim Sinik and Lorenzo Cobianchi.
One Health: Transformative Enterprises, Wellbeing and Education in the Knowledge Economy
Piero Formica Maynooth University, Ireland
Chapter 6. The transformative enterprise: World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) platform for sustainable development; Gareth Presch
Founder and CEO Gareth Presch, Chairman Dr Amir Hannan MBE, Deirdre Carbery, Ben Wilkins
Expert Groups:
Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment – Chair Deirdre Carbery, Tyson Nicholas, Steffi Singh, Amany Yahia, Keira Lonergan, Catarina Caria, Tobias Masterton
MSK – Ben Wilkins, Jack Chew, Meg Lowry, Martin Ong’wen, Joost van Wijchen, Ruth Sephton
Shared Decisions and Personalised Care – Terri Coutee, Dr Minas Chrysopoulo, Suzanne Baars
Experts: Manuela Boyle, Dr Miriam Burger, Prof. Dr. Z. Haque, Dr Neela Shabde, Dr Zafar Meenai, Arun Nadarasa
Ambassadors: Kenisha Arora, David Kerr, Terisa Temang, Jemba Micheal Senkole, Daniel Wainstock
Advisors: Prof Leif Edvinsson, Mark Richie, Courtney Fingar, Senida Mesi
We work with Governments to implement and support healthcare solutions.
Co-design and co-implement our WHIS programmes.
Empower communities to improve their health and wellbeing.
Support local recruitment & staff health and wellbeing – increase retention.
Create hubs for health and social care innovation worldwide.
Create social capital, intellectual capital and support new industries.
Professionals reported decreased professional isolation and improved motivation:
67% said “I have improved my professional network.”
63% said “I have better access to new and innovative ideas through WHIS.”
53% said “I have a more positive professional outlook.”
52% said “I have improved my general professional knowledge base.”
48% said “I feel less isolated professionally."
"An international exchange of ideas,
enthusiasm, best practice and shared
values, right on our own doorstep! An
exciting opportunity to showcase our
beautiful county and its people, and
remind ourselves what resources we
already have, and our potential for
achieving even more. It provides an
opportunity to improve health both
locally and globally, in a myriad of ways
and will help us attract health care
professionals to the region".
Dr Laura Hipple, NHS Cumbria, UK
“I feel more pride and hope in the future of health & social care.” Summit attendee
“WHIS has connected many people who have gone on to develop collaborations and improved their lives and others they provide services for.”
Survey respondent
"I have learnt that I could control my
emotions. WHISkids
helped me see that." Boy Age 9
"To be more aware of people around me. Work
together. I have enjoyed everything.
" Girl, 8
Gareth Presch is the CEO and Founder of the World Health Innovation Summit. Gareth is a thought leader and pioneer of health system design around the world. He has been leading the development of new models of healthcare around the world.
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And in everything we do, we have fun doing it - we smile and we laugh – because this is good for the heart, the soul, and good for our health.
Funding Policy World Health Innovation Summit CIC
World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) needs funding to support activities to innovate, inspire and share knowledge. We appreciate all support and donated funds. We build partnerships with our supporters and look to support them through inspiring innovation. The WHIS accepts financial and non-monetary support with the mutual understanding that it maintains its independence to inspire people.
This policy seeks to clarify the WHIS position on funding received from corporate sponsors. It sets out the guidelines for accepting corporate funding and outlines what it may, or may not, expect from the WHIS in return. It does not set out to provide a definition of every possible funding opportunity or relationship, but rather to define a set of principles. This policy adheres to the sponsorship rules that are approved by the Directors/Founder. All staff, volunteers, and the Directors must adhere to this policy and perform their duties in accordance with these rules.
The WHIS welcomes funding from individuals and corporate sponsors on the basis of the following
We believe it is important to establish corporate partnerships and maintain relationships with our communities. We do not endorse any products or services. We encourage active partnerships that inspire people.We can deliver sustainable development goal projects for companies and government agencies that support and empower people and communities to improve their health and wellbeing.
Our relationships with corporate sponsors are based on mutual respect. We maintain our independence.
Balanced approach:
We seek a balanced and diverse model of funding from corporate sponsors, public and private institutions, and the voluntary sector. In order to avoid the risks inherent to a relationship with any single corporate sponsor, or a limited number of sponsors, we seek to diversify the types and sources of funding we receive from various partners. For these reasons, whenever possible the WHIS will seek to involve more than one sponsor in its sponsorship and partnership opportunities and give priority to those that accept our values. Exclusive sponsorship will only be accepted when all potential sponsors have had the possibility to express an interest.
Rules and exclusions:
WHIS do not endorse medicinal products, brands, or health services and must not appear to do so nor appear to be in any way partisan at all times. Decisions about the possibility of inclusion into or exclusion from WHIS projects and activities are formally made by our management team. Decisions will be made on what the WHIS sees as a breach of this policy and referred to the Directors/Founder for review.
Types of partnerships and sponsorship opportunities:
Unrestricted funding
Unrestricted funding covers direct costs such as personnel, equipment, consultants or suppliers, mission and travel expenses, as well as related indirect costs (e.g. telephone, administrative activities,etc.). It allows the WHIS and the funding organisation to develop a mutually beneficial relationship. It provides the WHIS with a dependable source of income over a number of years and enables it to develop and implement its core operations and activities. It allows the funding organisation to gain public credit for its support and to receive other benefits that are tailored to its level of commitment.
Restricted Funding
Restricted funding covers a single WHIS project or activity, such as summit, workshop, or communication tool (for example – training sessions, online media marketing opportunities etc) and covers direct costs, including staff costs. Partnerships and sponsorship of WHIS projects and activities is limited to PGP members. PGP members also receive advanced copies of the annual sponsorship package and receive first right of refusal.
Summits, Projects and activities
The Trustees on advice from the management team determine on an annual basis which activities the WHIS will make eligible for restricted sponsorship. These are outlined in the annual sponsorship package, which is prepared and distributed to potential partners and sponsors each year. The sponsorship package outlines the sponsorship opportunities, rates, and benefits to the partners (for example – recognition, partnership participation, etc) Projects and activities typically include, but are not limited to:
Partnerships
WHIS retains the right to agree partnerships with companies and services who share our values to deliver healthcare for all. Industry partnerships can be agreed that generate value for communities and deliver high quality healthcare at an affordable cost.
Charitable one off donations can be made through our not for profit - World Health Service
The WHIS welcome one-time charitable donations from individuals and a variety of organisations and companies. While these do not raise an obligation from the WHIS to acknowledge support publicly, this information may be announced at our partnership forum as directed by the Founder or nominated Director.
Non-monetary contributions
The WHIS welcomes non-monetary contributions from individuals and a variety of organisations and companies. These may include, but not limited to:
Procedures
First contact
When approaching a corporate company, the WHIS or its representative will provide it with this policy on funding as well as its membership and sponsorship packages (If applicable). The WHIS may request information about the organisation or company, including its principle business activities and products or services it provides. The WHIS may also conduct its own research, particularly around the company’s reputation with patient groups and regulators. Should the WHIS have any concern about a real or perceived conflict of interest, it shall notify the Directors for discussion and review.
Written agreements
Prior to entering a sponsorship agreement both parties must sign and exchange this policy (Space below). When financial support is accepted, the WHIS and the corporate sponsor shall also sign and exchange a contract, Memorandum of Understanding, letter of agreement, or other written agreement. Only authorised persons form the company and the WHIS (It’s Founder, Chair, or an authorised Director) may sign these written agreements.
Accountability
Corporate sponsors that have joined the PGP or that provided other forms of unrestricted funding may choose to receive an annual report and financial statements, once they are approved by Directors or CEO/Founder. Corporate sponsors that have restricted funding to a specific project, or activity may choose to receive a year-end summary report and financial statements. Sizeable one off donations and non-monetary contributions are presented to Directors.
Recognition
We are pleased to publicly acknowledge individuals, organisations and corporate partners for their financial support. Specific modes of recognition and visibility are outlined in the WHIS sponsorship package. These vary per type and level of financial support received.
Prior to agreement between WHIS and the partner shall be reached on the level of visibility, types of logos and wording used to credit a sponsor, and other types of communication. Prior agreement shall also be reached on the wording and logos that partners may use when advertising their WHIS support in their own literature or externally. These agreements shall be reflected in the signed contract, memorandum of agreement, letters of agreement, or written agreement. Public communications not captured in written agreement must be agreed by the WHIS Founder/CEO or duly authorised person and the partner or sponsor, and reflected in writing.
The WHIS shall give partnership/sponsorship recognition to a corporate sponsor and not to products or services provided by these companies (Unless agreed). The policy of the WHIS is not to accept product advertising. When partnership or sponsorship recognition is given, the WHIS may also state that the acceptance of any sponsorship does not in any way mean the endorsement of any one company of product.
World Health Innovation Summit CIC – Company number 9613254
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