Executive Leadership Programme

Every year the modules of the course are designed in collaboration with leading academics and some of the UKs top executive and non executive leaders to stay up to date with the most relevant business school teachings as well as the practical skills and experiences Boards are looking for in their future leaders.

This years syllabus will cover:

• Developing and Implementing Strategy
• Creating and Leading Business Transformation
• A Plan for Living and Leading with Artificial Intelligence and Increased Technology Innovation
• Driving Sustainability Effectively for Business and Environment Benefit
• Building and Driving High Performance
• Board Readiness and Governance
• Managing Your Career and Fulfilling Ambitions
• Group Exercise on a Crucial Challenge

The programme runs over the course of 5 months with sessions twice a month. The separate sessions use facilitated learning with a combination of professional and academic leaders, and are designed to encourage active learning where participants learn from one another as well as from these experts. Each module is designed around a theme particularly relevant to individuals in senior management and board positions, and offers tools or frameworks that can be put into practice immediately. In addition, during sessions participants will work together to discuss scenarios and case studies. The adjacent diagram captures the dynamic nature of the programme elements. Each session will be led by specialists in the subject matter from the University of Edinburgh Business School and will also involve business leaders from a variety of backgrounds, depending on each session’s topic, with relevant skills and experience pertaining to each. The level of teaching is Executive MBA and above and each session is video recorded for the exclusive use of delegates for continued learning and in case a session is missed. The style of learning and delivery will be practical workshops, case studies, and group work to enable practical learning at all times.

Every session will be held at the University of Edinburgh Business School and will be taught by both academics and experienced business leaders. Online course content, and recorded footage of each session will be available via the University Learning Hub.

Each session will be hosted by:

Developing and Implementing Strategy

• Speaker: Colin Robertson CBE, Founder and Chairman, Robertson Campbell Investments, Vice Chairman, NFI Group, Chair, NWH and Entrepreneurial Scotland
• Academic Lead: Prof. Chris Carter

Creating and Leading Business Transformation

• Speaker: Helen Page, Non-Executive Director, Bank of Ireland UK and The Artisanal Spirits Company plc, Chair of Label Sessions; Board Trustee, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and The SSPCA. Formerly Chief Brand Officer CYBG/Virgin Money
• Academic Lead: Prof. John Amis

A Plan for Living and Leading with Artificial Intelligence and Increased Technology Innovation

• Speaker: Catriona Campbell MBE, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, EY UK & Ireland
• Academic Lead: Prof. Michael Rovatsos

Driving Sustainability Effectively for Business and Environmental Benefit

• Speaker: Dominic Fry, Chair, Zero Waste Scotland and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
• Academic Lead: Dr Sarah Ivory

Building and Driving High Performance

• Speaker: Clive Miles, HR Director, Barclays UK Every Day Money Management and Life Moments, BUK COO and Private Bank and Wealth Management COO
• Academic Lead: Prof. Susan Murphy

Driving Sustainability Effectively for Business and Environmental Benefit

• Speaker: Samantha Barber, Managing Director Europe; Board Effectiveness and Sustainability, Accenture
• Academic Lead: Dr Sarah Ivory

Board Readiness and Governance

• Speakers: Angela Seymour-Jackson, Chair, Page Group; Senior Independent Director, Trustpilot, Non-Executive Director, Future Plc and Non-Executive Director, Janus Henderson and Chair for their UK Hold Co and the UK and European investment company
• Academic Lead: Prof. John Amis and Judy Wagner, Co-Founder, FWB

Managing Your Career and Fulfilling Ambitions

• Speaker: Carolyn Jamieson, previous Chief Consumer Officer and Chief Trust Officer, Trustpilot and current NXD with Ten lifestyle, SNIB, SEP and Dohop
• Academic Lead: Prof. Susan Murphy

Managing Your Career and Fulfilling Ambitions

• Speaker: Prof. Susan Murphy
• Academic Lead: Prof. Susan Murphy and Judy Wagner

• Targeted practical preparation for Board level leadership.
• An understanding of one’s leadership style through self awareness of strengths and opportunities for improvement.
• Enhanced executive leadership skills.
• A plan for developing one’s career.
• Improved confidence in one’s ability to lead in challenging business scenarios.
• Knowledge of the career progressions and success of a range of inspirational senior leaders and a practical understanding of how to use that knowledge in one’s own situation.
• A working network of senior level leaders locally and more broadly through various industries that can provide not only connections, but business decision and career support.
• Enhanced executive leadership skills.

• Those who have the potential to move to board appointments in their organisations.
• Those interested in learning the latest techniques in strategic management and change.
• Leaders who want to develop a working network of other high-level professionals for their career and business development.
• Those who wish to gain a practical understanding of boardroom governance and dynamics.
• Those interested in career insights from global business leaders in the UK today.