Aspiring Senior Leaders for Success

The FE Associates team has supported more leaders into senior roles than any other organisation in the sector. Our progression-focused programmes consistently receive outstanding feedback from participants and employers alike.

The Aspiring Senior Leaders for Success programme helps participants build the confidence and strategic capability needed to thrive in senior leadership.

With a focus on organisational strategy, influence, and impact, this programme develops the leadership behaviours, mindset, and skills essential for progressing into and succeeding in senior roles.

This programme is designed for established middle leaders working within the Further Education and Skills sector who are ready to take the next step into senior leadership. Delegates will typically hold cross-college responsibilities, such as leading curriculum areas, managing quality or operational functions, or overseeing large teams. They may already demonstrate strategic thinking and influence and are looking to formalise their readiness for senior leadership through a structured, career-focused development experience.

• Three In-Person Modules
  A series of interactive, face-to-face sessions focused on key leadership, communication, and strategic thinking themes—designed to build confidence and capability through real-world discussion and practical application.

• Psychometric Profiling
  In-depth individual analysis using a leading psychometric tool to support self-awareness, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of working styles and team dynamics.

• Practice Senior Leadership Interviews
  Realistic and supportive interview practice that replicates the senior leadership recruitment process—helping delegates build confidence and articulate their leadership vision.

• Location: Novotel Birmingham Centre
• Price: £925.00 (VAT included) per delegate
• Programme Dates:
•      Module One: Leading Strategically
•      Module Two: Leading Through Change
•      Module Three: Leading Finance and Risk
•      Module Four: Interview Readiness

Paul Wakeling

Paul has over twenty years of experience as a senior leader, including as Principal/CEO of a successful college. He now works across sectors supporting organisational improvement. Paul attended ‘Chaos, Conflict and Crisis at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and, in return, embedded ideas of adaptive leadership into his practice. He has worked as an Associate for Warwick Business School, contributing to programmes for the Cabinet Office. He has published his ideas on leadership and learning in Wakeling, P. & Mackay, F. Leading & Learning in Challenging Circumstances in Challenging Professional Learning, ed. Crowley, S. Oxon. Routledge, 2014.’

Graham Razey OBE

A respected leader in the further education sector and former Chief Executive Officer of East Kent Colleges Group (EKC). Since becoming Principal of Thanet College in 2010, he has led its transformation into EKC Group—now one of the country’s leading college groups. Under his leadership, EKC achieved Ofsted “Outstanding” ratings across all campuses. He has served on the Department for Education’s Principals’ Reference Group and was named OBE in 2020 for services to education.

Dame Sally Dicketts DBE

Dame Sally DBE is one of the Further Education and Skills sector’s most recognised leadership experts. As the former CEO of Activate Learning, she grew one of the largest education groups in the country. Through her current work as a leadership development trainer, coach and Non-Executive Director, she is recognised as a leading developer of people and cultures. Dame Sally DBE is currently Chair of the sexual health charity Brooke. She chairs Learning with Parents and also sits on the Boards of the University of Bradford and Royal Holloway University.

Matt Atkinson

Matt Atkinson is the Managing Director of FE Associates. Matt has worked in and around the FE sector for almost 30 years and is currently Chair of Governors at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.  Matt’s career in FE started in London, and his leadership roles in FE have seen him working in six different colleges in different parts of the country. Matt was the Principal and CEO of Bath College between 2007 and 2016.

Having developed and grown FE Associates leadership recruitment and management development practices, Matt has a particular interest in developing the sector’s talent pipeline and working with leaders to develop their capacity and confidence.

To arrange a booking and pay by invoice, please email Jack.Moriarty@fea.co.uk with the following information:

Name of Programme:

Name of Organisation:

Name of Delegate(s):

Delegate Job Title(s):

Delegate Email(s):

Delegate(s) Disability or Access Requirements (If applicable):

Name of Person Making the Booking:

Name and Address for invoicing:

PO Number if required:

Please note invoices must be paid prior to programme commencement.