[NDS] stays lean by design, bringing in the right skills for each project without the overheads.

[NDS] is a values-led consultancy with a wide reach. While all projects are led and delivered by Director, Alex Mitchell, [NDS] works with a carefully curated network of associate consultants who bring a wealth of expertise in design, communications, research, and community engagement - and brings in these skills when required. This approach creates a flexible model that ensures every project has the right mix of skills for success.

Director’s Profile

Alex Mitchell is Director and Lead Consultant of NDS Consultancy Ltd.

He is an experienced advisor and delivery partner in the fields of public involvement, citizen co-creation, and healthy longevity and ageing innovation. He was previously Head of Voice Operations and Strategic Partnerships at the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), where he led the international expansion of Voice® - a global network of citizens working with researchers, businesses, and policymakers to shape innovation through lived experience.

Alex has a decade of experience designing and delivering co-creation processes that involve underrepresented communities, including older adults and informal carers. His work spans the development of involvement frameworks, training programmes, digital engagement tools, and replicable models for inclusive, community-led innovation. He has provided support to public, academic, and third sector organisations across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Within Voice, Alex led the establishment of international chapters in Italy, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, and Singapore; creating scalable yet locally grounded approaches to participation.

Alex brings deep experience in:

> Citizen involvement in research and innovation

> Cross-sector collaboration between universities, government, and third-sector organisations

> Facilitation of engagement activities

> Tools and frameworks for scaling public engagement across geographies

Image: Alex co-facilitating a workshop in Singapore; a collaboration between the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing and Ageing Asia.

Expert contributions

  • Expert review of flagship funding programme for Health Innovations. Interviewing shortlisted project teams from across Europe for grants of up to €2m per project.


  • Expert review of project proposals from industry for grants of up to £65k per project.

  • Expert judge of 50+ business pitches from the APAC region who had been shortlisted for the innovation awards.

  • Discussion panellist. Topic: Global Health and Care Landscape: Analysing Today’s Realities and Exploring Tomorrow’s Possibilities.

  • Keynote speaker and guest lecturer at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei. Talk title: Citizen co-design for healthy longevity & ageing innovation. Conference focus: healthy living and care for the elderly with cognitive decline.

  • Discussion panellist. Several international experts were gathered to speak about the Silver economy from international perspectives.

  • Discussion panellist. Topic: 'How will technology revolutionise care for older people?'

  • Panel Chair. Discussion topic: for ‘Inclusive Co-design - Unlocking Innovation with People’.

  • Webinar speaker as a citizen involvement expert; addressing 250+ businesses from across Europe.

Public speaking

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