About Root and Branch
Healthcare has extraordinary expertise.
Design has extraordinary methods.
Technology has extraordinary potential.
Too often these disciplines work independently.
Root and Branch was founded to bring them together.
We believe the future of healthcare depends on collaboration across clinical practice, industry, policy and research. Our work bridges these disciplines to help organisations create innovation that is evidence-based, human-centred and ready for implementation.
Our Difference
We are a transdisciplinary healthcare innovation consultancy. Rather than approaching problems through one lens, we combine:
Clinical insight
Behavioural science
Human-centred design
Systems thinking
Commercial innovation
Policy understanding
Research
This allows us to understand complexity before creating practical solutions.
Meet the Founders
Dr Lia Ali
Consultant Neuropsychiatrist | Digital Health Leader | Systems Strategist
Dr Lia Ali is a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist and nationally recognised leader in digital health, healthcare innovation and systems transformation. Working across frontline clinical practice, NHS England, research and industry, she helps organisations design healthcare that is clinically robust, human-centred and ready for implementation.
Her work sits at the intersection of medicine, behavioural science and innovation, bringing together expertise in digital health, clinical design, systems thinking and the biopsychosocial model to solve complex healthcare challenges. Lia has advised national programmes including the NHS App, Connected Care Records and Digital Therapeutics, alongside supporting organisations developing the next generation of health technologies and services.
At Root and Branch, Lia brings the clinical perspective – ensuring innovation is grounded in evidence, shaped by real-world practice and designed to improve outcomes for both patients and professionals.
Helena Traill FRSA
Healthcare Designer | Co-Design Expert | Wicked Problems | Service Design
Helena Traill FRSA is a healthcare designer, facilitator and innovation strategist specialising in Human-Centred Design, co-design and service transformation. With a background spanning healthcare, design consultancy and visual communication, she helps organisations translate complexity into clear, practical strategies that people can understand, adopt and implement.
Helena has led projects across the NHS, charities, universities, startups and public sector organisations, designing services, products, brands and engagement programmes that place people at the centre of innovation. Her expertise combines design thinking, systems mapping, facilitation and storytelling to help multidisciplinary teams align around shared challenges and create meaningful change.
At Root and Branch, Helena brings the design perspective – helping organisations uncover the right problems, engage stakeholders and transform insight into practical innovation that delivers lasting impact.
Together
Together, Lia and Helena bring together two disciplines that rarely exist within the same consultancy: clinical leadership and healthcare design.
Trained at the Royal College of Art and Imperial, working across industry, policy, research and frontline practice, they combine clinical insight, behavioural science, Human-Centred Design and systems thinking to help organisations create innovation that is not only evidence-based, but also practical, adoptable and commercially viable.
Their transdisciplinary approach enables organisations to navigate complexity, reduce risk and accelerate innovation – whether developing digital products, redesigning services or shaping the future of healthcare.