Excellence in leadership is something ADEPT not only promotes and supports, but also benefits from.
As part of our commitment to maximising sustainable growth in communities throughout the UK, we launched a high level Leadership Development Programme for aspiring Directors of Place in late 2018. The programme is open to all local authority and combined authority members of ADEPT and has proved very popular.
We are now accepting applications for the 2025 ADEPT/SOLACE Leadership Development Programme. The closing date for submissions is Friday 17th January 2025.
About the programme
ADEPT’s Leadership Development Programme is a unique opportunity for aspiring Directors of Place who want to move beyond their own specialisms to become future leaders.
The programme has been created for people currently in a Tier 3 or 4 senior leadership level, who are part of ADEPT member organisations.
Working with colleagues, place directors, course leaders and guest speakers, the programme will give you the opportunity to:
- Use time away from demanding roles to reflect on yourself as a leader
- Explore how to move from being a specialist/expert to a leader of place
- Build on previous leadership and management training
- Develop new skills, debate issues and explore challenges
We are seeking applications from a wide range of people and backgrounds. ADEPT is committed to providing opportunity, encouraging diversity and enabling both the programme and our organisation to benefit from fresh perspectives in an inclusive environment.
Timings and modules
Cohort 14 will complete the programme on the following dates:
Launch event: 7th March 2025
Module 1: 8th/9th April 2025
Module 2: 15th/16th May 2025
Module 3: 2nd/3rd July 2025
Module 4: 8th/9th September 2025
Cohort 15 will cover the following dates:
Launch event: 29th April 2025
Module 1: 5th/6th June 2025
Module 2: 16th/17th July 2025
Module 3: 16th/17th September 2025
Module 4: 4th/5th November 2025
Participants also attend the ADEPT Autumn Conference as part of the training. The conference will take place in November 2025 - exact dates and venue to be confirmed. Applicants must be available to attend all dates in their preferred cohort.
The two-day workshops will cover:
- Module 1 - Leadership and Change
- Module 2 - Strategic Thinking
- Module 3 - Working Collaboratively across Organisations
- Module 4 - Coaching for High Performance
The cost of this programme is £2595* (+vat). For further information, please click here or download an expression of interest form here. We are accepting applications until Friday 17th January.
If you are interested and would like to speak to someone, please contact us.
*Accommodation and travel are not included. All sessions take place in person - locations vary and are confirmed once each cohort is finalised.
Testimonials
The ADEPT leadership course was excellent, the content was perfectly aligned to my stage of career development and the host locations offered insight to how other councils operate. My fellow cohorts were all fantastic, we learnt so much from each other, and the trainer, Andrew, was fantastic, he effortlessly challenged and motivated us and ensured the course moved at the right pace. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in progressing their career.
Daniel Harper, Barnsley Council
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The 2024 Leadership Development Programme was an exceptional experience. The sessions were thought-provoking, enjoyable, challenging, and absolutely worthwhile. The trainer's expertise and approach made a huge difference, creating an engaging and impactful learning environment. I gained valuable insights and practical tools that have already made a positive impact on my leadership approach. I would highly recommend this course to others - it is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills, expand your network, and grow as a leader.
Tim Bellamy, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority
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I have no hesitation in recommending this programme. The programme lead is excellent and highly skilled in delivering the modules; ensuring that everyone is engaged and gets the most out of the time that they invest.
The content is interesting and thought provoking but also challenging and above all the programme offers the opportunity to reflect and space to think away from the workplace.
What I didn’t expect to find is that, getting to know, learning from and working with the cohort has been what I have valued most highly and ultimately what makes this without doubt, for me, the best training programme I have embarked upon.
Sarah Varley, Bracknell Forest Council
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The ADEPT Leadership Development Programme was incredibly insightful and provided a much-needed space to reflect on my service, the council, and my career in a way I rarely have the time to do. It was also invaluable to test my ideas and thoughts with like-minded colleagues, peers, and friends. The course created a supportive environment for deep thinking and professional growth, and I truly appreciated the opportunity it offered.
Sam Edwards, Lincolnshire County Council
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I thought the programme was brilliant. When I joined the course, I was surprised initially that the agenda for the introductions day and the first module looked so light. I was worried that I'd given up a lot of time and expected the agenda to be packed. I quickly learnt that so much value of the course comes from the relationships you build up, the interactions with new colleagues and the opportunity to practice what you've just learnt. I feel really lucky to have a toolbox full of resources to use in the future, some of which I can already see I am putting into practice regularly - not to mention a whole new bunch of super colleagues who are willing and able to support me and I them.
I genuinely feel that Andrew was key to the course’s success, his style and approach worked so well and he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve to get the most out of us...when he could see the post-lunch slump and very hot weather were taking their toll - he kept our energy and enthusiasm up. I couldn't recommend the course more highly.
Charlotte Palmer, Peterborough City Council