Exchange
Exchange is a unique programme, run in partnership with the Cabinet Office. It brings together senior leaders from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to learn from each other and collaborate on real-world leadership challenges. This 11-month programme supports senior leaders to explore the integration of the role of society, the environment and the economy with their leadership and governance in a holistic and integrated way.
Each Exchange module covers a different aspect of leadership. The programme draws on experience from different sectors to challenge existing perceptions as participants expand their leadership perspectives. During the programme, participants are encouraged to shape and co-create the agenda around key areas of interest where they’ll gain most benefit.
At WIG, we champion learning and understand how cross-sector collaboration can improve outcomes for individuals, organisations and society.
Who is it for?
Are you a senior leader looking to develop fresh and diverse perspectives and new ways of thinking? Do you want to improve the way that you and your organisation approach complex change and volatility? Exchange could be for you.
This 11-month programme brings together senior leaders from government, arms-length bodies, private and not-for-profit sectors to share insights, collaborate on shared challenges and develop new ways of thinking about how they can best lead through complexity.
The programme is open to talented senior directors in the private sector, Director Generals in the Civil Service and Chief Executives in the wider public and not-for-profit sectors.
Please note: Director General applications from the Civil Service are processed by the Cabinet Office. Please contact us, and we will put you in touch with the Cabinet Office team.
How you'll benefit
- Collaborate with other talented senior leaders
- Develop fresh perspectives on shared leadership challenges and avoid leadership blind spots
- Learn successful leadership approaches from other sectors
- Enrich your personal leadership style
- Draw on insights, knowledge and experience from other industries
- Make strong peer connections and a supportive leadership community for life
- Support and challenge other senior leaders from different sectors to enable their performance and potential
"This is a great programme - so eye opening. So important if we want to make successful societal change that government and business work together. We need great minds from across the sectors to work in harmony to make things happen."
Paul Friston
International Director, Marks & Spencer
Why we're different: WIG's approach to leadership development
At the heart of all our programmes, WIG’s leadership development framework sets out our values and approach to leadership and learning. Our aim is to encourage and enable the mindsets, actions and behaviours that leaders need in order to successfully navigate the complexities of 21st century leadership.
For nearly 40 years, we’ve been working collaboratively with public, private and not-for-profit organisations, helping leaders to gain cross-sector insight that enriches their personal and organisational performance. That’s what makes WIG’s leadership development programmes different – a unique focus on cross-sector peer learning brings true diversity of ideas, encourages curiosity, openness and innovation and helps individuals and organisations to find inspiration and fresh ideas from others.
Our programmes complement an organisation’s in-house delivery, bringing fresh perspective from different sectors and expanding high-value professional networks.
Meet the Leadership Team"The Exchange Programme was really professional and the facilitators highly skilled in helping us shape a programme that met our needs. I learned a lot from my participation not only for my organisation but for my own development. I thoroughly enjoyed it as well which was a bonus!"
Tracey Burke
Director General, Welsh Government
Programme structure
Exchange is an 11-month modular programme, the next cohort will run from January to November 2025. All modules are face to face. It combines leadership theory with collaborative practical work to develop fresh perspectives, challenge thinking and embed learning. The programme content is determined by the needs of each group of participants through initial group discovery sessions.
Module 1: 29-30 January 2025
- 29 January- afternoon, dinner and overnight stay
- 30 January - day
Module 2: 19-20 March 2025
- 19 March - evening
- 20 March - day
Module 3: 12-13 May 2025
- 12 May - evening
- 13 May - day
Module 4: 30 June-1 July 2025
- 30 June - evening
- 1 July - day
Module 5: 23-24 September 2025
- 23 Sept - evening
- 24 Sept - day
Module 6: 12-13 November 2025
- 12 Nov - evening
- 13 Nov - day
Programme team
Having completed a 40 year career in UK public services - the first 20 in local government and the last 7 as Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government - Leslie knows the pressure, pleasure and occasional loneliness of leadership. This experience shaped her decision to support others in their leadership journey by training as an Executive Coach .
Based in Scotland, Leslie's clients are from across the UK. Her coaching practice is Seahorse Coaching Ltd. She is also an Associate of Taylor Clarke, UK Government Coaching Premier Coaching Framework, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and a member of the Association for Coaching, bound by their Global Code of Ethics for Coaches. Leslie is also Scotland Chair and UK Trustee for Action for Children, as well as working with SmartWorks, a UK charity changing the trajectory of women’s lives.
Leslie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her practice. She has initiated, influenced and driven change and transformation throughout her career, designing, delivering and managing public services in London, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Stirling and developing and implementing national policy and services. She worked closely with civil service colleagues in UK Governments and frequently represented Scotland on the international stage. She has led through seismic events - most recently the departure from the EU and the pandemic - working closely, in partnership, and collaborating with the private, regulatory and third sectors. Her participation in the UK Government’s High Potential Development Scheme and Whitehall Industry Group Exchange provided insights into, and networks across, Government and industry. Consequently she has a deep understanding of the challenges facing leaders and executives in today’s complex, dynamic and rapidly changing business environment.
Francis is an experienced strategy and organisation development professional. Dealing regularly with business restructuring and corporate transformation, he has deep expertise in strategy setting, organisation design, leadership effectiveness and culture change.
He has led both the European Leadership Consulting Practice and the European Corporate Restructuring & Change Practice for a global consulting firm.
Francis has also held positions within both the banking and manufacturing sectors, living and working in Belgium, Sweden and France. Since 1996 he has consulted in North America, the Middle East, S.E. Asia and Europe operating at Board and top team levels. He is now Managing Partner of Blue Grain Partnership, a UK based advisory firm.
He has worked with a range of organisations across sectors and continents, including Avaya, Aon, PricewaterhouseCoopers, HSBC, Shell, Royal Bank of Scotland, Nokia, General Electric, Ernst & Young, the British Red Cross, Arup, Holcim, B&Q, United Utilities, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Philips, Whitehall Industry Group, Cadbury Schweppes, Coors Brewing Company, British Telecommunications, Bayer, BBC News, Honeywell, SES Global, the NHS, Zurich Financial Services, Eon and the Prudential.
Author of The Dynamics of Change (Routledge: London & NY) Francis has published, consulted and lectured on strategy, systems thinking and business transformation. He is also a member of Faculty for the NHS Leadership Academy, working with senior health and care system leaders across England on integration.
Francis holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour from the Department of Systems Science, City,
University of London.
Dani joined WIG’s Leadership team in 2018. She is the Programme Manager responsible for WIG’s Exchange Programme, Senior Leaders Programme, and multiple bespoke programmes. She works closely with programme participants and facilitators to design experiential learning interventions tailored to the cohorts needs.
Dani looks after WIG’s organisational visits, where she works with our members to understand their key priorities and challenges and pairs them with another organisation, who have faced similar challenges and can offer valuable insights. Recent sessions have focused on, recruitment and retention, organisational culture and sustainable innovation and transformation.
She also focuses on our alumni strategy, delivering creative sessions to engage our alumni community of over 2,500 and continue to connect the sectors.
Dani holds a BA Degree in Sociology and Criminology from the University of Nottingham where she was also a member of the Soup Runner’s Society. In her spare time, she enjoys attending Reformer Pilates classes, travelling and skiing.
Fees
- WIG member fee: £7,999+ VAT
- Non-member fee: £10,450+ VAT
- Civil Servant participants: WIG’s leadership programmes are part of the Government Campus, please check fees on their portal.
WIG’s leadership development programmes are delivered through a blend of virtual and face-to-face learning to ensure the safety and wellbeing of participants within a stimulating and collaborative learning environment. Fees include membership of the WIG Alumni Network and all programme materials. If you are from a not-for-profit and would like to discuss fees please get in contact at [email protected].
Learn more about membership here.
How to apply
For more information and to apply for a place on the Exchange programme, please get in touch with our leadership team using the 'Register your interest' link below.
We encourage applications from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to reflect the diversity in our society and have funded bursaries for relevant candidates.
Our application deadline is the 2 September 2024.
For Civil Service participants: WIG’s leadership programmes are part of the Government Campus and Civil Service Learning. Get in touch (via 'Register my interest' button below) if you need help or advice.
Register your interest