Nurture your talent pool | Article

Take those steps and drive yourself to be who and what you want to be…” - Women in Leadership Programme participant

In 2021, The Whitehall and Industry Group (WIG) started a partnership with The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to increase female representation and strengthen talent pipelines within NDA's operating businesses.

With the aim of strengthening leadership pipelines and supporting women leaders across the organisation, NDA launched the NDA Women in Leadership Programmes to foster the leadership development of more women in senior management positions in partnership with WIG. The programme’s goal is to increase female representation and strengthen talent pipelines within NDA's operating businesses.  This initiative supports NDA’s ambition to broaden the leadership pipeline across the UK nuclear workforce by 2030. By cultivating diverse leadership teams, NDA aims to enhance overall performance and drive positive outcomes within the nuclear sector.

The Women in Leadership Programmes consist of two tracks: the Senior Leaders Programme, catering to women with potential for top leadership roles, and the Step Up Step Across Programme, targeting women seeking their first leadership positions. The objective is to equip participants with tools and confidence to progress their leadership journey and develop their authentic leadership identities.

“It was so valuable to talk to women across the organisations and to learn that we share similar issues.”

NDA women leaders in the programme experience immersive leadership interventions in a safe and confidential environment where women can openly discuss their challenges and receive support. They also join a network that inspires and energises them to sustain their important and demanding work.  This supports them to develop the necessary mindsets, behaviours, and actions to navigate complexity and make a positive impact.

At the outset, participants embark on a journey of self-discovery, sharing their stories in action learning sets and exploring the pivotal events that have shaped them as leaders. This active exploration fosters a deep understanding of their foundational experiences, hones their unique gifts, identifies personal values, acknowledges differences, and cultivates personal branding.

Past participants’ perceptions transformed as the programme progressed. One shared, "It was so valuable to talk to women across the organisations and to learn that we share similar issues.” Another participant echoed the sentiment, stating, "Bringing together women from across the group was so inspiring."

During the programme, participants hear from a cross-sector mix of speakers who are grappling with similar issues and challenges and share insights from a different perspective. The design of the programme fosters a strong peer network, enabling participants to share experiences and embrace their unique leadership strengths.

An integral aspect of the programmes is empowering women to take charge of their careers, proactively envision their desired paths, and actively pursue them. The programmes explore challenges leaders often face in their careers, explore internal narratives, and empower participants to break free from constraints. It equips them with negotiation skills to seize future career opportunities, emphasising the importance of actively managing their careers rather than solely focusing on the tasks at hand. The programmes encourage participants to embrace their uniqueness as a gift and equip them with strategies to influence the key individuals who can further their professional aspirations.

“The biggest takeaway is to put my own oxygen mask on first, help myself first so that I can help others around.”   

Participants emerge from the programme with a renewed sense of purpose and empowerment. They have taken bold steps and made a positive impact in their lives and within their operating businesses.

As one participant described, “I have applied for a new senior role, which I would never have done if I hadn’t been on the programme... My confidence and ambition had grown to the extent that I know I am more than ready for the next level.”

Another participant shared, “It’s been great to meet other like-minded women leaders and hopefully those connections will continue. It’s totally transformed the way I personally think at work and my line manager has already seen the difference from me starting the course to now. It’s given me so many practical tools to take away and use. The biggest takeaway is to put my own oxygen mask on first, help myself first so that I can help others around”.   

“While we can all make commitments for female representation among executives, it is essential to nurture a talented pool to get there.”

NDA sponsors observed the ripple effect within their teams and businesses, "The women who have joined these past cohort have gained so much in connectivity, insights, and camaraderie.  Maybe someday one of these women will develop and grow to become CEOs. In years to come we hope to look back and see how this programme played a little part in the journey of getting them to wherever they want to be”. 

The CEO at Nuclear Waste Services emphasised the impact of the programme, stating, "The programme is generating a pipeline of fantastic women across our NDA businesses positioning them for leadership roles. While we can all make commitments to balanced representation among executives, it is essential to nurture a talented pool to get there. The NDA remains committed to continuing leadership campaigns across all operating businesses".

Our partnership has supported over 250 participants, who are now esteemed alumni. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the NDA Group, our partner EY, and all the participants for their invaluable contributions. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative made significant strides and concluded successfully in June 2025.

For further information or inquiries regarding WIG leadership programmes, please visit our leadership page or reach out to us at [email protected].  

Background: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is charged, on behalf of Government, with the mission to clean up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively. 

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Our leadership programmes are one of WIG’s pathways to support leaders in building the mindset, skillset, and networks needed to collaborate across sectors with confidence and deliver lasting impact. Through strategic dialogue, immersive leadership development, and evidence-based best practice, we enable leaders to tackle shared challenges together. 

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