CEO Programme

The CEO Programme will help build individual, college-wide and system-wide leadership capacity – through: 

• Understanding the adaptive challenges facing the college and the sector. 

 • Enhancing the ability to work with conflict and uncertainty 

 • Generating insights and new perspectives on key challenges and opportunities – including the role of Artificial Intelligence in Further Education 

 • Deepening self-awareness and individual leadership impact  

• Enhancing financial acumen and ability in leading strategic finance  

• Deepening awareness of individual leadership impact  

• Understanding the process of building networks of action  

• Supporting systems-thinking and systems-leadership  

• Providing space for reflection and supporting an approach of reflective practice and continuous learning 

The programme includes two core phases: 

1. GatenbySanderson Development Centre – Autumn 2025 
Before the residential, participants complete a tailored leadership development process delivered by GatenbySanderson. This includes: 

• A welcome webinar to introduce the development centre 

• A short pre-programme questionnaire to identify leadership goals 

• Psychometric assessments and a 360-degree feedback process 

• Two individual coaching conversations to explore leadership strengths, challenges and aspirations 

• A confidential development report aligned to the ETF Professional Standards for Principals and CEOs in the FE and Skills sector 

2. Residential at Saïd Business School – 2 to 6 February 2026 
This in-person, week-long residential is delivered at Oxford Saïd Business School. It includes: 

• Expert-led teaching on strategy, finance, systems leadership and organisational culture 

• Peer-to-peer learning and facilitated group discussions 

• Time to step away from day-to-day demands and focus on development and strategic thinking 

Accommodation and meals are included. Travel to Oxford is not covered. Participants are expected to stay for the full duration and to dedicate their full attention to the programme. 

The programme is open to Chief Executive Officers and Principals who are the designated Chief Accounting Officer for their organisation in the FE and Skills sector. 

Applications are welcome from both new and experienced leaders who are committed to their own development and to contributing to the future of the sector. 

Applications are open for one month closing 4^th July 2025 and must be submitted using the embedded form on this webpage. 

Applications will be reviewed by a panel made up of representatives from the Education and Training Foundation and Oxford Saïd Business School. 

Applicants will be notified of the outcome in July. If you are allocated a place, you will be invited to formally book your place and pay the programme fee of £1,100. 

50 percent of the places on the programme will be fully funded by the DfE. These will be allocated to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the application form. 

To help you decide if the CEO Programme is right for you, we’ve created a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document covering everything from programme content and expectations to logistics and support. 

“The quality of academic input was exceptional, really world-class. As a CEO, creating time and space for focused, strategic thought is essential; the programme, in the terrific learning environment of Saïd Business School, was a tremendously valuable way of creating such time.”

Gary Headland, CEO, Lincoln College Group

“Well structured course, which provided the opportunity to challenge conventional thinking. Also enabled valuable networking with sector colleagues.”

Jatinder Sharma, Principal and Chief Executive, Walsall College

“The combination of residential modules, application of learning to real-life situations, small tutorials and group discussion was highly stimulating and helpful.”

Amanda Melton CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Nelson and Colne College