Responsible leadership for sustainable innovation
Updated by Natacha Wilson, founder at Cambridge Insights – August 2026
Why Cambridge Insights?
July 6th, 2015 – Cambridge Insights was born! I founded my company to support research leaders and innovators, develop their skills, mindsets and wisdom – to shape better futures. The start of Cambridge Insights represents my 4th life chapter after an exciting career that allowed me to develop cultural intelligence, agility and adaptability and the passion for helping others grow, lead and create a positive impact. The challenges facing today’s leaders are becoming more interconnected, uncertain and complex. These require an adaptive and flexible approach to boost capabilities.
I support leaders develop their knowledge, skills, mindsets and wisdom
to drive sustainable innovation
What is our knowledge and experience?
By 2015, I had worked for 10 years in industry for start-ups and consultancies in innovation and tech. We used to call it high-tech at the time and I specialised in international branding, communication and strategy. By then I had lived in 2 countries, migrated to the UK from far away France (!) and studied economics and international business. During this time, I learned about R&D, customers, sales targets, VC funding and organisational cultures. I became fascinated about leadership and its role in shaping a company’s success.
I then made a big move – across sector to learn more about leadership and learning and development! I joined the University of Cambridge business school and worked on flagship leadership development programmes (MBA, master’s in management) before moving to the University’s Centre for Personal and Professional Development where I focused on researchers’ development programmes. I was involved in programme recruitment and communication, programme design, delivery and evaluation. I worked with leaders across research fields and develop my understanding of governance, strategy, stakeholder engagement and research impact. A rich experience that set me up for the launch of Cambridge Insights.
In parallel, I have always been keen to support leaders in the making through professional qualifications in leadership and business management and acquired extensive experience as a lecturer and an examiner.
Who do we work with?
I work with research scientists, research and development teams and senior leadership teams in academic and commercial settings. I help my clients connect the dots and support their transitions into new roles, responsibilities and contexts – to drive sustainable innovation.
Over the last 10 years, I have worked with hundreds of researchers and scientists and leaders in the making across fields in the UK and internationally. Clients include research groups in commercial settings as well as large research groups and cohorts in universities and research institutions.
What we offer?
We offer 3 types of services that meet 3 capability gaps to lead innovation
– leadership coaching: focusing on developing thinking abilities and behaviours to meet the complex demand of the innovation landscape
– strategy and culture workshops: working with teams to translate the vision in ways of working that are fit for purpose and enabling everyone to perform at their best.
– fit for purpose leadership development programmes: designing and delivering leadership training at the right level and format to equip leaders and teams drive research and innovation.
How do we work?
My approach is multi-disciplinary and draws from my rich experience in research, sustainable innovation and leadership development. I bring together four complementary perspectives:
– applied neuroscience for leadership development focusing on what makes us deeply human and the best approach to help personal and professional growth. New research can help us work effectively on what matters which include increased attention and focus, emotional regulation, decision-making, learning and behavioural change, stress and cognitive flexibility, motivation, habit formation.
– integrated and sustainability leadership which challenges leaders to think differently about value, impact and responsibility. It is about developing the capacity to lead responsibly in complex systems and focusing on strategic vision, collaborative governance, network engagement, adaptive practice and the ability to work with uncertainty and interconnected challenges. They combine combine individual capability, relational systems and emotional/cultural intelligence, organisational structures and contextual awareness.
– appreciative inquiry which focus on visioning and asking worthy questions to design goals and projects for success. It draws on strengths and future possibilities rather than constraints and weaknesses. Appreciative Inquiry has been applied to leadership transitions, organisational change, research and development environments and large-scale transformation. It is a strengths-based and participatory approach that can complement more traditional problem-solving methods.
What are our values?
We promote our values of Curiosity, Trust, Authenticity, Courage, Compassion and Sustainability, in everything we do.
Where are we based?
I am based in Cambridge in the UK and part of 3 incredible networks: Innovate Cambridge, Cambridge Network and NEDonBoard. I work in the UK and internationally.
How to get in touch?
Please check my Linked In page, the contact page or email me directly at natacha . wilson@cambridgeinsights.co.uk
Check my About page to find out more and read the testimonials below to hear from clients I had the chance to work with.
You can also book a Discovery session below to see if there is a good fit and how we may work together.