There is an expectation for Nursing Development Units (NDUs) to explore and develop the clinical leadership role. This paper describes how 28 Department of Health funded NDUs in England sought to meet this objective. We describe the personal and professional characteristics of NDU clinical leaders (CLs) and their perceived responsibilities. We identify 10 elements which appear to be central to the CL role and together form a core role set of the leader which is applicable, to some extent, across clinical specialties and settings. The position of the CL in the organizational hierarchy emerges as crucial to his/her ability to act on these responsibilities and fulfil a leadership role.