diff --git a/GPy/kern/constructors.py b/GPy/kern/constructors.py
index d1e2885a..5ae4e419 100644
--- a/GPy/kern/constructors.py
+++ b/GPy/kern/constructors.py
@@ -298,3 +298,12 @@ def independent_outputs(k):
         assert (sl.start is None) and (sl.stop is None), "cannot adjust input slices! (TODO)"
     _parts = [parts.independent_outputs.IndependentOutputs(p) for p in k.parts]
     return kern(k.input_dim+1,_parts)
+
+def hierarchical(k):
+    """
+    Construct a kernel with independent outputs from an existing kernel
+    """
+    # for sl in k.input_slices:
+    #     assert (sl.start is None) and (sl.stop is None), "cannot adjust input slices! (TODO)"
+    _parts = [parts.hierarchical.Hierarchical(k.parts)]
+    return kern(k.input_dim+1,_parts)
diff --git a/GPy/kern/parts/__init__.py b/GPy/kern/parts/__init__.py
index 68762afc..f9b40888 100644
--- a/GPy/kern/parts/__init__.py
+++ b/GPy/kern/parts/__init__.py
@@ -19,3 +19,4 @@ import rbf
 import spline
 import symmetric
 import white
+import hierarchical
diff --git a/GPy/kern/parts/hierarchical.py b/GPy/kern/parts/hierarchical.py
index 98f4a183..db495ba7 100644
--- a/GPy/kern/parts/hierarchical.py
+++ b/GPy/kern/parts/hierarchical.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from kernpart import Kernpart
 import numpy as np
 from independent_outputs import index_to_slices
 
-class hierarchical(Kernpart):
+class Hierarchical(Kernpart):
     """
     A kernel part which can reopresent a hierarchy of indepencnce: a gerenalisation of independent_outputs