WIG is a charity, independent and neutral. Established in 1984, our charitable purpose is to build understanding and co-operation between the sectors for the greater public good – a nation better governed, business better informed and society better served. We provide an unrivalled range of opportunities to bring business, government and the not-for-profit sector closer together.

WIG is also a membership body with over 230 member organisations (central and local government, FTSE companies, regulators, charities, universities and institutes). We help our members connect and understand how other organisations think, while broadening their networks through our programme of events. We develop leaders in a cross-sector environment with our seminars and leadership development programmes. We were set up in 1984 up as a secondment scheme (a Cabinet Office initiative) to give civil servants real insight into industry and we continue to provide opportunities to taste life in another sector today, with secondments, trustee and NED placements, mentoring and coaching. 

For more information see 'About Us'.

WIG is a corporate membership organisation. Employees of member organisations have access to the wide array of benefits. If your organisation would like to become a member of WIG, please visit the membership section. Alternatively please contact our Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Membership, Fiona Petit on 020 7222 1166.

As a member of WIG, you can access: 
 

• Over 100 wide-ranging topical events per year featuring high profile speakers. The majority of our events are free to WIG members but we run smaller number of specialist paid-for-events, where members enjoy preferential rates. 
• Priority booking and discounted rates for our highly sought-after leadership development programmes
• Career opportunities and fixed-term placements with other organisations, allowing you to experience life in another sector (including secondments, mentoring and Non-executive & Trustee appointments)
• A strong network of peers from a variety of sectors, including top FTSE companies, government bodies, universities, and not-for-profit organisations, 
• A safe space to discuss issues of the day (we operate a lot of our events under the Chatham House rule)
• Your own dedicated relationship manager
• Acess to our member-exclusive online resources

See a full list of membership benefits

A secondment programme established by the Prince’s Charities Foundation as an initiative to improve understanding between government and the not-for-profit sector through secondments. Run by The Whitehall & Industry Group (WIG) since 2010, Charity Next secondments give future leaders in government the opportunity to taste life in a charity, social enterprise or wider non-profit organisation by delivering challenging, objectives-driven projects with strategic impact for a host.

Read more about our Charity Next Secondments

A work placement in another organisation for a fixed amount of time (usually 6-18 months) during which you remain employed by your own organisation. WIG specialises in secondments across sectors that are designed to deliver your specific development objectives and provide exposure to new ways of working.

For more information see 'Gaining experience in another sector'.

One-day seminars (courses) to enhance management and leadership capability, showcasing leading-edge thinking and providing practical tools and solutions. 

See more information about our Development Seminars 

A short term project-based experience in another sector, often part-time, usually between 3 weeks and 3 months, to meet individual development objectives and answer specific business needs. For more information see 'Gaining experience in another sector'.

A short work placement (usually 3-5 days) allowing individuals to explore how organisations in other sectors tackle specific organisational issues (i.e. diversity, knowledge management, corporate governance etc.). We also offer organisational raids, which serve a similar purpose but are designed for groups of people rather than individuals.

For more information see 'Gaining experience in another sector'.

Organisational raids provide day-long (or half day) exposure to another organisation's know-how. They are purpose-built to allow one organisation to learn from another's expertise and proven practice. For more information see our 'Organisational Raids' page. (‘Insights’ deliver similar benefits but for 1 person). 

All of WIG's longer-term leadership programmes are allowed as part of CSL, and as such do not require special permission to be used (other than your organisation's normal internal process for budgetary approval). All but two of WIG's 1-day courses/development seminars are also included. For more information see our CSL page.

If you have ideas on topics, speakers or any other thoughts please email the events team or call the office at 020 7222 1166.

Find out more on our regional events page.