Ivor Williams
Design that makes care better
I support healthcare, deathcare and other organisations in improving their products and services during life's most sensitive moments.Through design leadership, consulting and focused project work.
The missing human element
When supporting people through sensitive life experiences - from mental health crises to end-of-life decisions - organisations can struggle to create services that truly serve human needs.Solutions frequently focus on surface-level fixes or technology implementations that inadvertently reduce human connection rather than enhance it.
Who I transform care with
I work with healthcare innovators, research teams and transformation leaders who are ready to reimagine their sensitive services.My partners range from startups validating new approaches to established organisations modernising their care delivery - all united by the need to enhance rather than replace human connection in their work.
Hello! I'm Ivor Williams
Drawing on over 15 years of expertise in human-centred and systemic design, I help organisations navigate complex challenges through strategic consulting, embedded leadership and focused project work.From transforming emergency care conversations to scaling healthcare communication, I bring fresh perspectives across the entire design process from early research through to scaled implementation.
Understanding your challenges
Making sense of complex human stories
You need to understand how people really experience your service. But when topics are sensitive – like mental health or death – it's hard to get the right insights that lead to real improvements.
Through careful research design, I've helped organisations understand complex needs and create innovative solutions - like developing a blueprint for children's hospice care that defined new operational models, increasing care capacity through four innovative service prototypes.
Turning research into real solutions
You've done the research and have lots of insights. But turning these findings into practical solutions that work for everyone feels overwhelming.
With Palliate, we reduced symptom response time from 100+ minutes to just 20 minutes, while maintaining 91% independent usage rates by lay carers, demonstrating both cost savings and improved care quality.
Making things people actually use
Your product or service needs to work in the real world. But getting people to embrace new tools is proving harder than expected.
I've helped services achieve widespread adoption, such as ReSPECT's implementation across 55% of UK health services, improving patient outcomes while reducing clinical resources.
A flexible design partner
Quick research deep-dive
Fast, focused research when you need clarity fast.From a few days up to 2 weeks to uncover insights and next steps to prioritise development.
I helped Larger Us understand how communities grieve during crises. I co-authored an actionable report used widely during COVID-19.
Discovery and direction
Create a clear picture of what's needed and how to get there.From 2–6 weeks of research and planning with key people to make meaningful impact.
I helped St Christopher's Hospice understand their nurses' needs for professional development, and prototyped key improvements for their new learning platform.
Full project partnership
Support from start to finish: from research through to launching solutions that work.From 2-4 months and beyond, of hands-on support to deliver actual change.
I created Cove - a pioneering music therapy app - from sketch to App Store in 12 weeks. As one of the first NHS-approved mental health apps, it was used across CAMHS and other national services, with over 270,000 users worldwide.
Proven success stories
He has been my design therapist, guiding me wisely on a number of key design decisions we needed to make over the last years. I would say that Ivor is the wisest designer I know.
— Louis Weinstock, psychotherapist and co-founder of Bounce Works
Ivor is very thoughtful about how he hold his wisdom on a topic that wider society/others have considerably less comfort or experience talking about.
— Iona Lawrence, co-founder of The Decelerator and the Jo Cox Foundation
Ivor is an outstanding design leader. What sets him apart is his passion and deep expertise. He is highly innovative, extremely thoughtful, and a pleasure to work with... He was able to bring people on board with his vision and deliver exceptional outcomes.
— Gianluca Fontana, CEO of Prova Health
Let's talk about your challenges
I offer a free 30-minute consultation to explore how we might work together.We can discuss (with no strings attached) your current challenges, share relevant experiences and identify possible next steps. You can also get in touch via email.
Ivor Williams
Based in London, working globally.
Let's connect on LinkedIn.
I'm Ivor, your design consultant in health and innovation
I help people and organisations solve complex challenges through human-centered and systemic design. With over 15 years of experience across the UK, Italy and the Netherlands, I've created everything from mental health apps to national healthcare processes.
I've led design teams at healthtech scale-up Accurx and pioneered end-of-life care innovation at Imperial College London's Institute of Global Health Innovation.I'm a trained end-of-life doula and mental health expert by experience.
I am an Honorary Practice Fellow at Imperial College London, with previous teaching roles at Design Academy Eindhoven and Università Iuav di Venezia and the Glasgow School of Art.
I've also founded multiple ventures including Humane Engineering (digital music therapy), Digital Care Planning (advance care plans) and Mortals (mortality awareness).
I speak globally at design and healthcare conferences, from IxDA and European Health Care Design conference to the Scottish and European Parliaments.
Who I've worked with
Proven success stories
Ivor is an outstanding design leader. What sets him apart is his passion and deep expertise. He is highly innovative, extremely thoughtful, and a pleasure to work with... He was able to bring people on board with his vision and deliver exceptional outcomes.
— Gianluca Fontana, CEO of Prova Health
His management style, allowing designers space to explore solutions, fosters a supportive and creative environment. His calm approach to busy schedules brings stability to the team, especially during periods of change.
— Veron Lai, Head of Design, Accurx
Ivor has boatloads of integrity, vision, and creativity – making him someone I love talking to and trust deeply.
— Casper ter Kuile, Sacred Design Lab
Let's talk
Book a free, no obligation 30-min chat to discuss the challenges you are facing, or get in touch via email.If you'd like me to speak at your conference or event, just let me know.