After spending 15 years as a senior public service manager, EDWARD PECK has held senior appointments at Kings College London, UK and the University of Birmingham, UK. At Birmingham, he has previously directed both the Health Services Management Centre and the School of Public Policy whilst undertaking research, teaching and consultancy that have supported the development of public services in the UK. He is currently Head of the College of Social Sciences.   HELEN DICKINSON heads up the health and social care programme at the Health Services Management Centre at the University of Birmingham, UK. In addition to publishing widely on the topic of health and social care partnership working, Helen has a keen interest in critical theories – particularly in the way these might be applied to studies of leadership.