Exchange, January - October 2020
starts 29 January 2020 View module dates
Full Day
A unique programme, run in partnership with the Cabinet Office, for leaders from across the sectors, that includes Director Generals from the civil service, senior Directors in the private sector and CEOs in the wider public and third sector.

"A refreshing opportunity to think laterally and engage in new ideas. Running the course over a year creates bonds, relationships, understanding and trust amongst the group. The diversity of backgrounds, roles and personalities brought the topics to life." David Walker, Citi
Exchange Programme testimonial: David Walker, Citi
To express your interest in the Exchange programme, use the button below to send an e-mail to [email protected]:
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What will you gain and how does it work?
Bringing people together and especially from different sectors, as Exchange does, can be a very creative process. Participants are able to explore the differences and, just as frequently, the similarities of their experiences and challenges. This leads to their re-thinking some fundamental assumptions and opening their minds to other worlds.
It is a chance to dig deeper, to suspend judgment, to challenge preconceived assumptions and approach things from a fresh perspective. It can also make people reassess their roles as citizens. Overall it enables participants to reflect on the role of society, the economy and their leadership in a more holistic and integrated way.
Participants gain confidence through sharing the way they each are dealing with a range of critical challenges and demands, often with similar underlying issues. They are able to compare approaches to the inevitable constraints and distractions that come with operating at a senior level. In this way they develop a greater respect for and understanding of each other’s roles and the fields in which they operate.
Exchange is a rare opportunity to work with a broad range of individuals across both the public and private sectors. Key to the process is encouraging delegates themselves to manage the agenda and thereby focus on where they are most interested and will gain most benefit.
The combination of people from different disciplines and with a wide variety of roles makes for a powerful whole. It is a great opportunity for people to form strong and lasting relationships as they begin to understand, trust and respect each other.Who is this programme for?
Senior Directors in the private sector, Director General in Civil Service and CEOs in the wider public and third sector.
Note: Director General applications from the Civil Service are processed by the Cabinet Office, get in touch to find out who to contact.
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Programme structure
This programme takes a collaborative approach and the success relies as much on the attitude, engagement and commitment of participants as on the input or expertise of speakers and facilitators.
Module 1: 14:00 start on 29th and full day 30th January 2020
Module 2: dinner on evening of 30th and full day 31th March 2020
Module 3: dinner on evening of 14th and full day 15th May 2020
Module 4: dinner on evening of 30th June and full day 1st July 2020
Module 5: dinner on evening of 23rd and full day 24th September 2020
Module 6: dinner on Evening of 22nd and full day 23rd October 2020
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Facilitators
The team on this programme bring a range of skills to help you stretch your thinking and broaden your perspectives:
As a highly qualified organisation consultant and executive coach with over 25 years’ experience, Nicky works with individuals and teams to address significant organisational issues. Her background includes leadership roles in organisation and talent development, human resources, marketing and strategic projects. She is equally at home working at board level as she is with front line staff, whether working with groups or one-to-one. She brings intellect, insight, pragmatism, warmth and humour to her work.
Nicky’s main interest is in performance, culture and behaviour change, she also works with the complex interplay of strategy, operations, people and processes that can support but also hinder change. Her approach usually involves heightening awareness of current realities and creating energy for, and ownership of change as well as developing confidence and skills to experiment with new ways of thinking and behaving.
Nicky has held leadership roles in the technology and financial services sectors (Global Head of Talent Development, Standard Chartered Bank, Organisation Development Director Dell EMEA, HR Director, Marketing Manager and Strategic Projects Manager at Prudential (mergers and acquisitions). For five years, she was a senior director of a successful consultancy specialising in leadership, organisation and culture change. For the past ten years she has worked independently and established a global and diverse client base. She is a Programme Director on the WIG Exchange programme. She also works with Yahoo, Eversheds, KPMG, UK Cabinet Office, Bombardier Transportation, NYSE, and Microsoft.
Valerie works with individuals at Board level, Directors and High Potentials. Her qualifications and experience as a CEO in healthcare, a Non-Executive and as an Executive Coach and Leadership tutor, enable her to relate to clients in terms of both their business and psychological needs. She is widely known for innovative programme design and executive coaching that delivers results.
Valerie is an Independent Consultant, she is a Programme Director on the WIG Exchange programme and an Associate of Ashridge Business School. She specialises in Executive Coaching and Leadership Development. For 10 years she was the Ashridge Client Director for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office designing all their Senior Leadership Programmes as well as coaching the Board and Senior Ambassadors. For the NHS, she worked as a partner in a consortium with Birmingham and Manchester Universities redesigning and delivering the Graduate Management Scheme. Vodafone invited Valerie to design and deliver a global programme to review and develop the political engagement capability of their CEOs worldwide and to coach at Executive level.
Increasingly, she works with organisations to review and design strategic learning and development activities that will support the organisation and individuals in achieving their outcomes. Valerie enjoys working with creative tutoring methodologies which engage individuals and lead to genuine change. She regularly transfers learning from the arts and sports e.g. The England Cricket and rugby teams. She has also run coaching master classes for Wales RFU. Valerie has an interest in the development of women as leaders and has four years research experience around the representation and development of women at Board Level. As Chief Executive of NHS Overseas Enterprises, a former International consultancy organisation for the NHS, she worked globally with Aid Agencies, Charities, the FCO, DFID and The British Council in developing Health Services Overseas.
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Testimonials & Participating Organisations
Video: WIG Leadership Programme Delegate Mark Langdale
Organisations who have participated in the last three years:
Central Government
Private Sector
Cabinet Office
Arcadis LLP
Defra
Arup
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
BAE Systems plc
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
BT Global Services UK
Department for Communities and Local Government
Citi
Department for Education
Deloitte
Department for International Development
Drax Group
Department for International Trade
Jaguar Land Rover
Department for Transport
Microsoft Limited
Department of Health
National Grid
Government Legal Department
Oracle
HM Revenue & Customs
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Ministry of Defence
Rolls Royce
Ministry of Justice
Scotch Whiskey Association
Prime Minister's Office
Shell UK Ltd.
The Scottish Government
Statoil
Welsh Government
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
United Utilities plc
Broader Public and Not-for-Profit
Bank of England
Warwick Business School
Centre for Ageing Better
Welsh Ambulance Service
Office of Fair Trading
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Fees and apply now!
Fee
Member fee: £7,000 + VAT
How do I express my interest?
If you would like to discuss whether the programme is suitable or if you're interested in nominating someone then please call the WIG office on 020 7222 1166 and ask to speak to Lorraine King or Hannah Benaim or email the leadership team.