NXD Development Programme

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.

2026 programme sessions are as follows:

• What is the Role of the NXD in Rethinking Organisational Design for AI-Driven Success
• The Role of Boards in Understanding ESG Compliance
• The Potential Impact and Opportunity for NXDs of the Global AI Revolution
• Cybersecurity: A Rapidly Growing and High-Priority Risk for All Boards
• What Are the Main Criteria of an Effective Board?
• Geopolitik or Realpolitik? Geopolitical Literacy as a Core Boardroom Skill

We will also host an in-person session in Edinburgh on Thursday 3rd December which is an opportunity to meet fellow delegates in person.

Full session details, dates and speakers can be found in our programme brochure.

The programme runs over the course of 3 months from September 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. 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.