Leadership Centre

How do you apply leadership learning when it really matters? Rachel Dukes from Leeds City Council shares how a Leadership Centre & @OHID programme shaped the confidence, perspective & new approach she brought into a successful interview for a new role. 👇 leadershipcentre.org.uk/doing-things-d…

Fantastic to see both cohorts grow in confidence, perspective and connection throughout the programme. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible & congratulations to all participants.

We’re delighted to celebrate our first 2 cohorts completing the Developing Strategic Leaders programme in the South West & South East. Created through a collaboration between us & @Solace_UK, the programme supports emerging senior leaders to lead confidently in complex systems.

Delighted to see this kind of feedback. Two cohorts of our Developing Strategic Leaders programme, run in collaboration with @Solace_UK, concluded this week across the South East & South West. Great to see such open, thoughtful groups reflecting, challenging & learning together

Across the Atlantic and looking to the future! Our Future Vision Cohort is in Boston this week exploring leadership through a global lens. From innovation & civic leadership to AI, health equity & organisational change, the visit is designed to challenge thinking & build insight.

In this LGC podcast, @MKMRogers (now Associate Director with us) shares what it takes to make strategic authorities work. One principle is focusing on what we have in common to prioritise what will make the biggest difference, soonest. Well worth a listen: podbean.com/ep/pb-2ysb2-1a…

Max’s appointment follows @MKMRogers stepping down as Chief Executive at the end of February. We are hugely grateful for Mark’s fantastic contribution & we’re delighted he will continue to work with us on Future Vision & as an associate on local & regional government projects.

We’re pleased to share that @maxwide_ has been appointed our Interim Chief Executive. Max brings extensive experience in transformation, leadership development & public service reform, alongside a deep understanding of our work and values. Read more: leadershipcentre.org.uk/leadership-cen…

Thank you to all our contributors and hosts who shaped honest, stretching conversations. As we look ahead to our next module in Boston, USA, the question stays with us: how do we use power responsibly, relationally and courageously?

Last week our Future Vision participants gathered in Birmingham to explore power, relationships & cultural competence, and to reflect on what it means to be a 21st Century Public Servant. Over 3 days we explored how power operates in systems & how theory translates into practice.

This wasn't traditional training. It was co-designed, applied learning rooted in real place challenges, reaching 500 staff & reshaping how leaders work across boundaries & approach LGR. Get in touch if you'd like to have a conversation to learn more: info@leadershipcentre.org.uk

What does it really take to become a community council in practice, not just in principle? At a moment of significant uncertainty, @TestValleyBC invested in a bold, whole-organisation leadership journey to shape a genuinely community-led future. Read more: leadershipcentre.org.uk/preparing-lead…

We explored systems leadership, member and officer relationships, and resilience, with rich and open discussion throughout. Thank you to Shokat Lal, Chief Executive of @sandwellcouncil, for sharing such honest insights into the realities of leading a council.

The fourth cohort of Boosting Middle Leaders, run in collaboration with the @LGAcomms, is underway. An impressive group of councillors and officers coming together to step back from day to day pressures and reflect on what leadership is asking of us right now.

What happens when senior leaders create space to step back from the day-to-day & focus on how they lead together? Sheffield City Council worked with us on a year-long programme to strengthen collective leadership for Future Sheffield. Find out more 👇leadershipcentre.org.uk/scc/

Participants explored narrative in leadership, place & systems, learned from leaders across North Wales, visited sites which brought theory into practice & shared their own public narratives. Big thanks to all our hosts & contributors. We're looking forward to the next module!

Last week we gathered for the latest module of Future Vision, spending two inspiring days at Gladstone’s Library & a final day at @WrexhamUni. The focus was on Public Narrative & Movement Building; exploring how to use story as a force for influence, mobilisation & change.

As the year comes to a close, we’d like to thank everyone we've had the opportunity to work with in 2025 - we’re proud of all that we’ve achieved together. Wishing you a peaceful festive season and a Happy New Year from all of us at the Leadership Centre.

Our next Community of Practice will focus on local government reorganisation and how early identity, culture and relationships shape long-term performance. To get involved, email 👇theo.miller@leadershipcentre.org.uk

Our Community of Practice on Place recently brought together leaders from local government, health & the voluntary sector to discuss place-based working, neighbourhood leadership & building trust. James Bullion CBE shared insights on leading in transition: leadershipcentre.org.uk/leading-in-tra…