Leadership Development

Nominations for Future Leaders 5 are live – to nominate, apply or for info on the October intake, get in touch now!
  • See Future Leaders Round 4 candidates here and mentors here.
  • Check our Events page for open events or field trips you can join.

Future of GM’s core is place-focused leadership development, with Leaders Plus kicking things off in 2020 and Future Leaders going live in 2024 following a popular 2023 pilot. Our bespoke cross-sector programmes go way beyond CPD: building confidence, skills, connection and critical awareness of other organisations’ drivers and processes. Both levels combine leadership skills workshops, senior insights, personally matched mentors and field trips to evolving places. We’re also co-designing and supporting the new GMCA Regen Skills programme – see below.

For info on nominating, applying or mentoring:

GM Future Leaders 

(Next) October intake: For people typically 8-15 years in who are starting to lead teams, manage major programmes and/or navigate a key promotion. Candidates build valuable cross-sector GM networks, work with a senior mentor from another organisation for confidential support, and build skills focused on developing the self as a leader.

All the below apply to internal and external relationships:

  • Identifying & optimising your leadership style
  • Building trust
  • Resilience tools & techniques
  • Motivation and impact
  • Effective communication & presenting skills
  • Inclusive leadership
  • Professional brand & values

For more info and links to current candidates, click here.

 

GM Leaders Plus

March 2027 intake: Leaders Plus is for people already in leadership roles (e.g. Senior Managers, Heads of Service, Associate Directors). Through CEO-level leadership skills, Expert Insights seminars and relevant workshops and visits, Leaders Plus helps participants navigate increased risk and responsibility and build lifelong peer networks.

Programme focus includes:

  • Honing skills & confidence in leadership, stakeholder work & change management
  • Translating leadership theory to real-world use, especially for place strategy and delivery
  • A safe space to discuss the difficult questions arising in senior roles, and hear first-hand from ‘senior survivors’
  • Building candidates’ peer and senior networks – and their awareness of drivers for teams who are normally across the negotiating table.

For more info and links to current GM Leaders Plus candidates and mentors, click here.

New from 2026: GM Regeneration Skills Academy

Future of GM is excited to co-design and support GMCA’s early careers offer for cross-sector regeneration practitioners.

The 9-month programme includes core technical skills; visits to and case studies on key regen sites around GM, and a final group project.

Round 2 is open to enrolment now; ask us for more info. 

“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)

“I want to be the leader I always needed and looked up to. I have definitely been given the tools to get there and have deeply considered how I as an individual have something special to offer, which could be different to others.” – Hannah Rodger, Guinness Partnership (2024 Future Leaders)

“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, Wigan Council (2022 Leaders Plus)

“I was looking for opportunities to meet with people at a similar level in other organisations. I hoped there would be genuine opportunities to discuss how leadership theory applied in practice with experienced leaders and with peers on the course. This was definitely provided!” – Amy Beasley, National Highways (2021 Leaders Plus)