Thank you to all our contributors and hosts who shaped honest, stretching conversations. As we look ahead to our next module in Boston, USA, the question stays with us: how do we use power responsibly, relationally and courageously?
Last week our most recent Future Vision cohort gathered in Birmingham to explore power, relationships and cultural competence, and to reflect on what it truly means to be a 21st Century Public Servant. Over 3 days we explored how power operates within systems and how theory translates into practice.
This was not traditional training. It was co-designed, applied learning rooted in real place challenges, reaching 500 staff & reshaping how leaders plan, work across boundaries & approach LGR. Get in touch if you'd like to have a conversation to learn more: info@leadershipcentre.org.uk
What does it really take to become a community council in practice, not just in principle? Test Valley Borough Council invested in a bold, whole-organisation leadership journey to shape a genuinely community-led future. Find out more: www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/preparing-le...
We explored systems leadership, member and officer relationships, and resilience, with rich and open discussion throughout. Thank you to Shokat Lal, Chief Executive of Sandwell Council, for sharing such honest insights into the realities of leading a council.
The fourth cohort of Boosting Middle Leaders, run in collaboration with @local.gov.uk, is underway. An impressive group of councillors and officers coming together to step back from day to day pressures and reflect on what leadership is asking of us right now.
Just one of the highlights was hearing from the Chief Executive of Sandwell Council Shokat Lal speak so openly about the day to day pressures, tough calls and responsibility that comes with running his council.
That perspective makes us all better, more grounded representatives for our residents.
What happens when senior leaders create space to step back from the day-to-day & focus on how they lead together? Sheffield City Council worked with us on a year-long programme to strengthen collective leadership for Future Sheffield. Find out more 👇
www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/scc/
Participants explored narrative in leadership, place & systems, learned from leaders across North Wales, visited sites which brought theory into practice & shared their own public narratives. Huge thanks to all our hosts & contributors. We're already looking forward to the next module!
Last week we gathered for the latest module of Future Vision, spending two inspiring days at Gladstone’s Library and a final day at @wrexhamuni.bsky.social. The focus was on Public Narrative & Movement Building; exploring how to use story as a force for influence, mobilisation & change.
As the year comes to a close, we’d like to thank everyone we've had the opportunity to work with in 2025 - we’re proud of all that we’ve achieved together.
Wishing you a peaceful festive season and a Happy New Year from all of us at the Leadership Centre.
Our next Community of Practice will focus on local government reorganisation and how early identity, culture and relationships shape long-term performance.
To get involved, email: theo.miller@leadershipcentre.org.uk
Our Community of Practice on Place recently brought together leaders from local government, health & the voluntary sector to discuss place-based working, neighbourhood leadership & building trust. James Bullion CBE shared insights on leading in transition:
www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/leading-in-t...
John explores why this is more than a structural reshuffle. It’s a chance to reimagine how places work.
Free practical resources included in the blog:
✴️LGR leadership quiz
✴️Pocket guide: five responsibilities for navigating reorganisation
✴️ Webpage with all support offers
Today we're excited to launch a series of new resources to support leaders through local government reorganisation. They feature in our latest blog, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”, by our Chief Operating Officer, @john-jarvis.bsky.social
www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/roads-where-...
Since Jan 2024, the Alliance has brought together around 145 VCSE ambassadors. Our work together helped them influence strategically without positional power, unlock a collective voice, strengthen partnerships, and shape local health and care strategies.
Front cover of the case study - The BNSSG Alliance in Action - Finding voice, influence and stronger partnerships across health and care.
We’re delighted to share this case study created with the Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance, showing what’s possible when the voluntary sector, local government & the health and care system work together with real intent.👇
www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Together we’ll explore how local authorities, ICBs and neighbourhoods can work better together. Some fantastic attendees are already signed up, so don’t miss the chance to connect and join the conversation.
🗓 12pm, 8 Dec 2025
📩 theo.miller@leadershipcentre.org.uk
Our next Community of Practice on Place is shaping up to be an unmissable discussion. James Bullion CBE, former CQC Chief Inspector and Future Vision alumnus, will share insights from his experience in health and local government.
These colleagues already hold huge technical & managerial responsibility — and will soon be at the forefront of leading public service transformation. That’s why we’re supporting councils across the country to invest in the “overlooked middle”: www.leadershipcentre.org.uk/programmes/m...
Local government is going through a once-in-a-generation transformation. Reorganisation, devolution, funding pressures - all reshaping how councils work and serve their communities.
Amid all that change, attention is rightly turning to the people who’ll carry us forward: our middle leaders. 👇
🗓 12pm, 8th Dec 2025
Come along and join the conversation. It’s open to anyone looking to improve outcomes in place.
📩 To register, email theo.miller@leadershipcentre.org.uk
Our next Community of Practice on Place will be led by @jamesbullion.bsky.social CBE, former CQC Chief Inspector & Future Vision alumnus. He’ll join us in exploring how we can strengthen collaboration between councils, ICBs & neighbourhoods. It promises to be a thought-provoking discussion!
📨 Our next newsletter is coming soon!
This edition will spotlight development & support for middle leaders, as well as sharing our latest thinking on local government reorganisation.
Sign up to see what we’ve been up to and what’s on the horizon: eepurl.com/gkTJ-n
Thanks to @debbiesorkin.bsky.social, @kenperry447.bsky.social and Hamida Ali for shaping such a rich experience. We’re already looking forward to January in Wrexham, where the focus will be on Public Narrative and Movement Building to create meaningful change.
This week our Future Vision cohort spent time in Manchester exploring adaptive leadership in systems at @manmetuni.bsky.social. It was an inspiring few days engaging with regional leaders, academics, site visits & reflective exercises.
Our lead on developing strategic authorities, Max Wide, shares insights in a recent piece for The MJ on the leadership choices posed by local government reorganisation and what they mean for future-ready councils.
👉 www.themj.co.uk/winning-losi...
Over two days, participants explored values, authenticity, systems leadership, framing, political mindsets, democratic processes and officer–member relationships.
A huge thank you to Programme Directors Mari Davis and Steven Pleasant MBE, and to all participants for their energy & openness.
Earlier this month we launched Developing Strategic Leaders with @solace-uk.bsky.social - a new programme investing in the next generation of senior leaders across local government in the South East. Our 1st session focused on Self in the System & Working in a Political Environment.
🎉 We’re thrilled to welcome Sharon Thomas as our new Programme Manager at the Leadership Centre.
With a background in Occupational Psychology & programme management, Sharon will be supporting Future Vision & Developing Strategic Leaders. We're excited to have her on the team. Welcome Sharon!
