Alison Leech
‘Who attends the Future Leadership Programme and how their learning is then absorbed back in to the organisation is of central importance to the experience of participants.’
Alison Leech recently moved from City of York Council as a Service Development Manager in Housing and Adult Social Services to join a large Housing Association in Bradford. She was one of a number of employees from City of York Council who have attended the Future Leadership Programme over the last five years. She attended the FLP in 2008 and feels that the skills developed on the programme are transferable to her in her new role within a housing association.
The skills gained on the FLP are developed into a ‘toolkit’ that a participant can dip in and out of during their career, utilising different models and methods throughout their working lives.
Other councils have adopted an assessment centre approach to the FLP, where individuals have to go through a strict application process before securing a place on the programme. Participants from Bristol City Council had to submit why they thought attending the programme would be useful and demonstrate how they would bring the learning back into the organisation. Those who attended the programme are now considered ‘change navigators’ by the council and are providing innovation and guidance to others in the organisation.
Alison’s experience highlights how important it is to consider any training opportunities which future leaders and managers will be encouraged to attend, and outlining how learning will then be utilised within the organisation is key to gaining the most from the investment.
Simon Taylor
‘The Future Leadership Programme has positively changed my leadership style, and helped me to secure an important Resource Centre for the residents of Carlisle.’
Simon Taylor is a Health and Housing Manager for Carlisle County Council. He attended the Future Leadership Programme in 2008 and believes that his experience on the programme was fundamental in securing a £3.2 million project.
Whilst on the FLP, Simon was working on establishing a new Resource Centre for the residents of Carlisle. The FLP asks participants to bring along a business project that they can work on throughout the entire programme, and it was this project that Simon concentrated on.
The Resource Centre planning approval for the £3.2 million Centre was approved last month and will provide essential services for homeless people and those in the local community. However, there were initial issues regarding the original design and purpose of the scheme, where accommodation facilities had been included.
Working with his colleagues and the facilitators on the Programme he was able to present and work through any objections that might be raised regarding the Centre and ended up altering the original plans as a result. By presenting and discussing through the alternatives, Simon was able to secure the project’s future and not lose sight of the end goal.
The proposal for families and women’s accommodation are still being taken forward and Simon continues to draw upon core skills enhanced by the FLP to drive through housing projects for Carlisle.
