Home > News > September 2007 > 05 September 2007

Executive programme gains award nomination

An executive education programme designed to inspire business leaders to put their skills back to work in society has been selected as a finalist in the National Training Awards 2007.

'What Next?' is a five-day programme aimed at individuals experienced in leadership positions who are within a few years of leaving, or have recently left, their senior roles and who are keen to use their experience and insight to enhance the quality of governance and performance of organisations - whether on boards, as trustees, or in launching new initiatives.

The programme is the result of a partnership between Common Purpose, a leadership development organisation, and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

Common Purpose's chief executive, Julia Middleton, said: "Society cannot afford to overlook the vast pool of leadership experience of those who are choosing, from their forties and fifties, to leave their full-time careers. From investment bankers disillusioned with the City, to the CEOs of NHS Trusts that have merged, a wealth of leadership talent is becoming available. There can be no doubt that we need such experience, especially in the field of governance.

"Nationwide, organisations are searching for fresh faces who already understand how to form partnerships or how to manage unanticipated risks. We need those experienced leaders on governing bodies, mentoring business start-ups, on public sector boards, as non-executive directors and as school governors. Yet talented individuals often feel far from wanted once they retire."

Elizabeth Paris, co-director of the programme, commented: "Cherishing the leadership wisdom of our experienced workforce has to be a priority if we hope to improve the governance and performance of the UK's public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

"We detected a real need for a programme that inspires and equips senior managers to take on new roles in society, rather than retire from professional life. The first What Next? programme in June 2006 was a huge success and evidence of the demand there is for such guidance amongst leaders."

Eighteen people attended What Next? between June and November 2006. A four-day residential in Oxford was followed up by a coaching day to help delegates with CVs and interview techniques.

Sue Dopson, academic programme director, said: "We are delighted to receive this recognition from the National Training Awards. The What Next? programme has filled a real need among senior executives planning their next steps.

"What Next? graduates will become part of an elite but diverse community of leaders, who will no doubt be much sought after as members of boards and other non-executive roles, as well as leaders of new initiatives of their own making. We look forward to seeing the programme go from strength to strength."

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Common Purpose

Saïd Business School

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