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Non-Executive Director Academy
Duration:
6 × 2 hour sessions
Spring 2026
Delivery:
Part-time
College:
University of Edinburgh Business School
Study:
Online
The FWB / UEBS NXD Academy is delighted to introduce its flagship NXD Development Programme for the 8th year. The programme was run online during the pandemic and as delegates have expressed a preference for this we will again run it online for 2026. The final session will be an in-person meeting with a guest speaker for discussion, group activity and networking over drinks and canapes.
Each year we discuss with Chairs and NXDs, across the UK and further afield, what the issues are on their Board agenda and what knowledge and skills their Board members need to have to be effective at the boardroom table.
The programme this year again focuses on those challenges and opportunities that Boards are facing. Several issues have become prominent over the last year as businesses become more complex and regulations continue to evolve. Boards and NXDs face greater scrutiny and pressure to ensure compliance and there is also an increasing demand to evaluate their own performance and provide clarity over their purpose.
Evolving technologies such as AI are changing the business landscape and Boards, and NXDs in particular, need to stay informed about their potential impact on the organisation.
Climate change and sustainability continue to be key considerations for businesses with Boards having to be aware of the risks and opportunities associated with these issues, and corresponding courses of action.
These and other challenges mean that NXDs will need to be proactive and adaptable to ensure the long-term success of organisations and we have developed this programme to provide insights required to increase the likelihood of such success.
As with our previous programmes, our 2026 course has been designed to be highly practical. Led by experienced Chairs and NXDs, it is aimed at those interested in all types and sizes of organisation; listed, private, entrepreneurial, SMEs, public sector and not-for-profit. Each session is interactive with small group activities and real-life case studies, together with plenary discussion and Q&A. These sessions have been designed to allow plenty of time for interaction and active learning in all areas. Whilst each session has a main topic, the discussions and questions will be wide-ranging.
For more information or to address any queries, please contact us at nxd@fwbltd.com.
Every year the modules of the course are designed in collaboration with leading academics and some of the UKs top Chairs 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 board leaders.
The 2026 syllabus will be announced in Winter 2026.
Previous modules have included:
- Board Papers: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
- What is the Role of the NXD in assessing Risk?
- AI – opportunity or threat? What NXDs need to know
- The opportunity and challenges of being an NXD in a Private Equity backed business
- Energy transition strategies and climate reporting: The escalating challenge for Boards and NXDs
- The Effective Board
- End of Programme In-Person Event
The programme runs over the course of 2 months in Spring 2026. The separate sessions use facilitated learning with a combination of professional NXDs leading the sessions with an academic backbone to the course, 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 Non Executive roles already as well as those aspiring to their first or future plural portfolio, 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 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.
“If you are going to make just one investment in your personal development this year, choose this programme. It offers leading Chairs and NXDs at the top of their game and crucially willing to share; the structured format delivers relevant, concentrated insights and the online format offers maximum efficiency. Finally, you will never conclude a session without the opportunity to connect offline with experienced fellow participants.”
“This is a great programme from which I gained quality insights from experienced leaders across a variety of current and topical business matters that are being discussed around most Boardroom tables. The programme is valuable for all stages of the NXD journey with knowledge sharing amongst participants contributing significantly to the learning experience.”
“The programme acts not only as a refresher course, but also as the generator of ideas, challenges and new thinking: shared experience is central to the workshops and provides endless food for thought from some of the best NXDs operating in this country today.”
“The overall insight into the duties of an NXD and best practice were particularly helpful and interesting, and equally relevant whether you were experienced or new to NXD roles.”
This interactive, strategic and practical board level programme is for participants either developing their NXD portfolios or aspiring towards one in the next phase of their executive and professional development. It will also supply the tools, strategies, and networks to support and challenge participants as they develop their careers in or towards non executive positions.
2026 Programme
As we prepare to launch our 2026 programme at the end of this year, you can express interest in attending using the link below.