Greater Manchester Leaders Plus

Leaders Plus 2026 is live! You can see Cohort 7 candidates here and their mentors here.

Leaders Plus is for people already in leadership roles and is designed to help participants manage increased risk and responsibility. It aims to:

  • Build skills and confidence in team leadership, stakeholder relations and change management.
  • Help translate leadership theory into real-world use, especially for place strategy and delivery.
  • Provide a safe space to discuss the difficult questions arising in senior roles.
  • Build candidates’ peer and senior networks across organisations and sectors.

These goals are delivered through a blend of mentoring, leadership skills, expert insight, strategy-focused field trips and networking. The nine-month programme culminates in participants presenting small-group proposals for tackling a key urban challenge to an audience of mentors, senior course presenters and sector experts.

Who is it for?

Cross-sector leaders on the journey toward top roles and already running extensive teams or stakeholder relationships. Candidates can be involved in any aspect of placemaking and should be seeking the insight, knowledge and networks to play a meaningful role in our cities’ future.

What do candidates gain?

  • Enhanced leadership skills to inspire teams, build trust & navigate complexity.
  • The increased confidence and authority to influence others, to tackle unexpected challenges and to win over stakeholders at all levels.
  • Exposure to fresh perspectives and tools that foster innovative thinking.
  • A confidential and supportive environment to test or develop ideas.
  • The knowledge, insight and support of a diverse range of peers, professionals and a personal mentor, all of whom share their commitment to the future of Greater Manchester.
  • An expanded senior network across organisations and sectors – within the cohort, with mentors, in the thriving GM cross-sector scene & across the UK via Future of London’s 4,200-strong network.

How do candidates learn?

  • Facilitated skills-development workshops in small groups
  • Expert insights and a chance to question sector leaders in confidential seminars
  • Relevant workshops & field trips, combined with classroom time for an average
  • Peer-led discussion, visits and presentations, including the final Proposal for GM
  • Confidential mentoring from senior leaders outside their organisations, for support and resources
  • Structured reflection and connection to a wider programme of event

See who’s come through the course since 2021 here.

“Future of Greater Manchester is incredibly important to the city-region, building the place leadership capacity, diversity and cross-sector awareness we all need to deliver on our ambitions for the people of GM.” – Caroline Simpson, Chief Executive, GMCA (FoGM board member & mentor)

“The course has helped me so much in the past few days, particularly the Leading through Crisis session… 160ish children directly benefited from it this week.” – Luke Green, Stockport Council (2023 Leaders Plus)

“This course has been invaluable. It has come at the right time in my career and given me much-needed direction, skills and a network I never knew I needed. Having a course where you take something away to put into practice every time is very rare. This is a gem.” – Heather Coombs, Strategic Manager – Buildings & Facilities, Wigan Council (2022 grad)

“What sets FOGM apart is the open style of leadership learning over several months and with a place-based focus. This enabled me to quickly establish trust, networks and genuine friendships with a like-minded cohort of professionals and mentors… It also extended my leadership network, pushed my comfort zone and instilled greater confidence. Since graduating, I have become a Trustee for Groundwork GM and Chair of the Homes England Shadow Leadership Board. I advocate for the FoGM approach, and the learning continues through the alumni network and my role as an FoGM board member.” – Steph Everett, Homes England (2022 grad)

“Leaders Plus was a fantastic experience and undoubtedly supported my career development. The course and continuing opportunities as an alumnus supercharged my network and the connections I’ve made across sectors and disciplines have without doubt supported greater understanding, best practice and better project delivery. Leaders also became vital to the development offer for my top talent, supporting quality, staff retention and progression.” – Tom Bridgman, Executive Director of Development, Oxford City Council (LDN Leaders Plus 2016, course nominator)

GM Leaders Plus is kindly supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Trowers & Hamlins, Arup and Coherent Cities.

Click here to find out about our two annual Future Leaders programmes for mid-level practitioners, or drop us a line for info on any of our programmes.