Celebrating 40 years of WIG | The evening in pictures

We recently marked our 40th anniversary with an evening reception kindly hosted by Diageo at their London headquarters. Over 140 cross-sector leaders from our membership, alumni, and board gathered to celebrate WIG’s legacy of fostering cross-sector collaboration and explore future avenues for shared learning and growth.

Embodying the spirit of collaboration, an a cappella band performed, demonstrating the power of working in harmony and team work. Their performance set the tone for an evening filled with celebration, thoughtful reflections, and meaningful dialogue.

The evening’s highlight was a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, WIG’s Chief Executive, followed by an audience-led discussion. Cross-sector leaders Gareth Davies CB, Louise Kingham CBE, and Dame Ann Limb DBE DL shared insights on collaborative leadership, systems thinking, investing in young talent, embracing diversity, porosity in governance, and leveraging AI to drive productivity, innovation and lasting change across sectors.

Key takeaways from the panel discussion

  • Cross-sector collaboration is a non-negotiable for lasting change; addressing today’s complex and interconnected challenges demands unified, multi-sector action.
  • Fostering a culture of systems thinking, trust, and shared success is key to overcoming barriers to effective collaboration.
  • Futureproofing the economy requires investing in skills and leadership and nurturing young talent with technical expertise and a collaborative mindset.
  • Diverse leadership and inclusive teams drive productivity, innovation, and better business outcomes.
  • The Civil Service can greatly benefit from embracing flexibility and promoting cross-sector mobility, unlocking fresh perspectives that will enhance and strengthen governance. 
  • AI should be seen as a partner to augment human capabilities, streamline processes, and boost productivity—not replace talent.

Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgement of our members, alumni, board and team who have contributed to WIG's success over the past four decades. He reaffirmed our commitment to supporting the UK government’s growth agenda by facilitating cross-sector dialogue and enabling leadership capabilities necessary for collaborating across the sectors.

Scroll through the photographs below to relive some of the standout moments from our 40th-anniversary celebration.

 

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for WIG

At the event, we launched our 'Cross-sector Collaboration at Work' Roadmap, which contains our action plan to drive economic growth and shared prosperity.

The roadmap is based on insights from our recent survey of over 270 cross-sector leaders. The survey found that while 92% see collaboration as key to economic growth, only 14% feel confident doing it, and just one-third have the skills to make it happen.

Looking ahead, we will continue to equip leaders of today and tomorrow with the mindset and skill set they need for success: meaningful dialogue, collaborative leadership skills, and actionable insights grounded in evidence.

As we begin the next chapter of our journey, we’re more determined than ever to support leaders who are shaping the UK into the best place to invest, thrive, and work.