Leadership Lab 2027

Places available! To express your interest please add yourself to the waiting list and we will be in touch on the next steps

The Leadership Lab is an immersive residential leadership experience that brings together a carefully selected cohort of senior sustainability leaders from across higher and further education. Designed for those leading strategic and systemic sustainability change, it provides dedicated time away from the workplace to reflect on complex challenges, strengthen leadership practice, learn alongside peers and return with renewed perspective, practical ideas and a stronger professional network.

The Leadership Lab recognises that leading sustainability is rarely a technical challenge. It is a leadership challenge that requires influence, collaboration, adaptability, and the confidence to lead change across complex systems.

Beginning with an afternoon and evening programme on arrival, followed by a full day of collaborative learning and concluding at lunchtime on the final day, the Leadership Lab combines facilitated workshops, peer learning, reflection and networking in a trusted environment.

The Leadership Lab brings together a carefully selected cohort of senior sustainability leaders from across higher and further education. It provides a trusted environment for honest discussion, critical reflection and peer challenge, enabling participants to explore the complex realities of leading change in today's education landscape.

Through practical workshops, facilitated discussion, real world case studies and shared leadership experiences, participants develop the confidence, insight and practical approaches needed to influence change at institutional and system level.

This is not an introductory leadership course. It is designed for experienced leaders with significant responsibility who want to strengthen their leadership practice, challenge their thinking and accelerate sustainable change.

The Leadership Lab is designed for leaders who:

• operate at senior, executive or equivalent strategic level
• lead or influence institution wide, cross institutional or sector wide sustainability change
• shape organisational strategy, culture, policy or long term direction
• want to develop their leadership practice alongside peers facing similar strategic challenges

Through the Leadership Lab, you will:

• strengthen your ability to embed sustainability into organisational strategy and decision making
• develop the influence and negotiation skills needed to build commitment and lead change
• explore adaptive leadership approaches for navigating complexity, uncertainty and competing priorities
• build resilience through reflection, coaching and peer learning
• apply practical leadership frameworks to your own strategic challenges
• learn from senior leaders across the post 16 education sector who are balancing sustainability ambitions with financial and organisational realities
• develop lasting professional relationships with a network of experienced sustainability leaders.

Dates: 23 March 2027 13:00 until 25 March 2027 13:30

Places are intentionally limited to create a high quality peer learning experience. Applications are reviewed individually against the programme criteria, and submitting an application does not guarantee a place. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application during December 2026, once the review process has been completed.

Places available ! To express your interest please add yourself to the waiting list and we will be in touch on the next steps