First Time Leadership for Success

This programme has been designed by sector experts to enable organisations to build their talent pipeline by accelerating the leadership development of new and recently appointed leaders. The programme focuses on introductory core leadership skills, confidence, and understanding to enable first-level leaders to have a successful start to their new leadership careers.

The programme will also provide new leaders opportunities to share their experiences and learning with peers from across sector organisations. They will build new supportive networks and have the opportunity to reflect on their individual progress with colleagues.

This programme has been designed for new and recently appointed leaders. Delegates will typically be in their first leadership position in the Further Education and Skills sector. They will have new leadership responsibilities, including leading people for the first time. Most importantly, they will have the support of their line managers to attend the programme.

• 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.

• Self-Development Project
  A personalised work-based initiative that enables participants to apply their learning reflect on their practice and drive meaningful impact in their current role or organisation.

• 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.

• Location: Novotel Birmingham Centre
• Price: £625.00 (VAT included) per delegate
• Programme Dates:

Module One – You and Your Leadership:
Thursday 13 November 2025
Module Two – Your Leadership and Others:
Thursday 4 December 2025
Module Three – Your Leadership Development Plan:
Thursday 15 January 2026

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.’

Dr Molly Makota

Molly is an experienced Chartered Accountant and the Chief Finance & Resources Officer at Christ the King Sixth Forms. With over 16 years of experience in both Further and Higher Education, she provides strategic leadership across finance, estates and capital planning, procurement, and people management and development, with a strong emphasis on long-term sustainability. A member of ACCA, CIMA, and CIPFA, Molly brings broad expertise spanning the public, private, and education sectors. She also contributes to sector advancement as a Governor at Barking & Dagenham College, supporting strong governance and institutional growth.

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