Senior Leaders Programme 2021
starts 20 January 2021 View module dates
A dynamic, modular and flexible programme designed for senior (Director-level) leaders wishing to continue to improve their performance and personal impact, willing to share perspectives, ambitions and mutual challenges with a group of equals from different backgrounds and sectors.

"The WIG Senior Leaders Programme enabled me to reflect and explore sub-conscious parts of me that I have never had the opportunity to do. It challenged me in an unbiased way to think, act and be different in a professional, business and leadership context." Mark Ferris, BAE Systems plc
We know first-hand that the richness of the dialogue and learning experience is unique in a cross-sector programme. To also reflect the diversity of our society, we encourage a diverse range of applicants, and in particular welcome applications from minority groups such as BAME. To support this, a BAME bursary is available for the relevant candidate.
To Apply, download the forms here or use the 'APPLY FOR A PLACE' buttons to download the form.
-
What will you gain and how does it work?
How it works:
Modular – Three learning modules, interspersed with meetings of action learning sets, cover the theory and practice of leadership. You will learn from high profile leaders and from new leadership theories, and explore practical tools for enhancing your personal leadership style.
Action learning sets – Will bring you together with six to eight people in a balanced group. The learning sets are expertly facilitated, providing you with a supportive but challenging environment to work on live leadership issues and business challenges.
Organisational insights – Learning sets meet at each other’s organisations, with hosts encouraged to draw in their senior colleagues to discuss the organisation’s vision and
What will you gain?
Practical approaches to help consolidate and strengthen your approach to leadership
Enhanced understanding of other sectors and their approach to organisational and leadership challenges
Personal networks and lasting links to help sustain your personal developmentWho is this programme for?
Director level.
-
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: 20 & 21 January 2021
Action learning set 1: 25th February 2021
Action learning set 2: 18 March 2021Module 2: 29 April 2021
Action learning set 3: 18 May 2021
Action learning set 4: 17 June 2021Module 3: 8 July 2021
-
Facilitators
Karen is an established and respected senior leader in healthcare and leadership development. She is accustomed to working at a national level and playing a key role in the development and delivery of current and future leadership initiatives. In her roles as Managing Director of the NHS Leadership Academy and Director of Leadership at the King’s Fund she has established a deserved reputation and track record for success and is regarded as an authoritative source on leadership in health.
Karen has a wide portfolio of experience and skills to offer organisations, systems and senior leaders and their colleagues. She has the ability to understand, critically analyse, creatively address and respond to complex issues and then to skillfully manage the business process from planning to delivery. Adept at communication and people skills Karen presents as a formidable ally for change and development.
Karen understands the key issues and challenges faced by the public sector today. She has steadfastly remained true to the values of public service and these in turn underpin her own belief systems and behaviours.
As an accomplished facilitator of both small and large groups where there are difficult issues to face Karen is skilled in offering challenge and questioning so that fundamental problems are addressed and resolved. Karen is skilled in providing support to Boards and senior teams helping them to think creatively about seemingly intransigent problems, guiding them through a process of exploration, understanding and the development of practical and workable solutions. Equally as powerful and effective Karen works well on a one to one basis to offer development on personal leadership issues and real work dilemmas.
She is a proven strategic thinker with a track record of significant input and contribution at local, regional and national levels. Her expertise and knowledge in leadership development has led to frequent invitations to speak on national and international platforms and advise other international health systems on their leadership development.
Francis is an experienced strategy and organisation development (OD) professional. He has led the European Leadership Consulting Practice and the European Corporate Restructuring and Change Practice for a global consulting firm. Dealing regularly with business restructuring and corporate transformation, he has deep expertise in strategy setting, organisation design, leadership effectiveness and culture change.
Francis has held positions within both the financial services and manufacturing sectors, living and working in the UK, Belgium, Sweden and France. Since 1996 he has consulted in North America, the Middle East, South East Asia and Europe, operating at Board and top team levels.
He has worked with a range of organisations and leaders across sectors, including: PricewaterhouseCoopers, HSBC, Shell, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Ernst & Young, the British Red Cross, Arup, B&Q, United Utilities, Philips, Cadbury Schweppes, Coors Brewing Company, World Vision, British Telecommunications, Bayer, BBC News, SES Global, the NHS, Zurich Financial Services, Eon, the Peak District National Park Authority and the Prudential.
Author of The Dynamics of Change (Routledge: London & NY), Francis has published, consulted and lectured on strategy, systems thinking and business transformation. He is currently Managing Partner of Blue Grain, an organisational effectiveness advisory firm. Francis holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour from the Department of Systems Science, City University, LondonSimon has been a development professional, coach, consultant and facilitator for over 15 years. He has a particular interest in the overarching architecture of development approaches, as well as design and implementation, working with clients to knit together the development experience with the strategic needs and direction of their organisation.
As a partner at the global people and organisation consultancy, Korn Ferry Hay Group, he led the health and local government consulting practice at Kory Fer ry Hay Group for 3 years before leaving corporate life in 2018 to work as an independent consultant. Simon’s career started in the NHS, where he worked in a number of operational roles before moving into the organisational development area. He has extensive experience and expertise in personal and organisational development, particularly in public sector organisations – but with design and delivery experience across other sectors.Simon has worked at chief executive level, with executive teams, operational and frontline teams, through to frontline staff at ward or store level to support them in making change they want to make in themselves. He has worked extensively with people from all levels and from all professions – and on a one to one basis, development programmes of up to 100 and larger conference events.
Before joining Hay Group, Simon’s career included roles at The King’s Fund, the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, NHS England, Mars Confectionery and The
Terrence Higgins Trust. In his consulting career, clients have included NHS England, NHS Leadership Academy, Post Office, National Air Traffic Services, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, Reebok International, BP, Cambridge Assessment, Diageo and Warner Brothers Music amongst others.Simon’s MSc in Organizational Behaviour is from Birkbeck College (University of London), and he is an accredited coach through The School of Coaching and The University of Strathclyde.
-
Testimonials & Participating Organisations
Carol Tullo, The National Archives
Organisations who have participated in the last three years:
Central Government
Private Sector
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Association of British Insurers
Defra
Atos
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
BAE Systems plc
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Browne Jacobson
Department for Communities and Local Government
BT Global Services UK
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Citi
Department for Work & Pensions
Jaguar Land Rover
Department of Health and Social Care
Korn Ferry Hay Group
Dstl
National Grid
HM Revenue & Customs
Rolls-Royce
Home Office
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
House of Commons
Warwick Manufacturing Group
Ministry of Defence
Revenue Scotland
The Pensions Regulator
The Scottish Government
Welsh Government
Broader Public and Not-for-Profit
Africa Governance Initiative
London South Bank University
Arts Council England
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Commissioners of Irish Lights
National Crime Agency
Competition and Markets Authority
National Farmers' Union
Environment Agency
National Cyber Security Agency
Forestry Commission
Southampton Solent University
Housing Ombudsman Service
-
Fees & apply now!
Fee
Member fee: £6,800+VAT
Non-member fee: £8,800+VAT
Charity and WIG alumni fee: £5,300+VAT
This fee includes dinner and overnight accommodation for the residential module, one charged-for event/workshop on the WIG events calendar, and two one-day development seminars, worth over £1,100 in value at the normal alumni rate.
Please contact WIG if you are unsure whether or not your organisation is a member.
How do I apply?
Download the application form and return it to the leadership team.
If you would like to discuss whether the programme is suitable for you please call the WIG office on 020 7222 1166 and ask to speak to Catherine Taylor or Harry Killick or email the Leadership Programmes Team.