Public Sector Leadership Development

We offer a selection of events, courses and programmes to the top tiers of the largest public sector and civil service organisations (CEO equivalents). More information about eligibility can be found at the bottom of this page.

These are designed to help leaders:

• enhance their practical, evidence-based knowledge and expertise around facing complex systems challenges
• build strong networks between peers and break down silos between the Civil Service and wider public sector
• inspire and encourage measurable improvements in public service delivery.

FromOver Aprilthe 2025past year, our offerprimary focus has changedbeen and will pivot to beingsupport primarilyChief focussedExecutive onOfficers CEO(CEOs) provisionacross forthe 2025-26,public assector. As we preparemove tointo launchthe a2026-27 newperiod, programmewe specificallyare forexpecting CEOs. Subject to fundingexpand approvals, we hope that our offer will expand after 2025-26. The ambition is to offerprovide a wider breadth of support at the most senior levellevels, andincluding to expand to include middle management. Coffee Connect will remain available for Deputy CEOs forand 2025-26.equivalent roles.

CEO Community Calls

WeIf invite you towould registerlike forto ourparticipate CEOin Communityany Calls,of athe seriesprogrammes hostedbelow byor Civildiscuss Serviceyour Chiefeligibility, Operatingplease Officercontact andus Permanentat Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Catherine Little.psl@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Register

National forLeadership theForum next call on 24 September

(NLF)

DuringThe thisNational event,Leadership weForum willbrings reflecttogether onsenior thepublic progresssector ofleaders missionto deliveryaddress over the pastcomplex, 12systemic monthschallenges andfacing delve into the recentUK. fiscalFollowing events,the exploringsuccess theirof implicationsour fornational publicconferences, services.

Thiswe isare anexpanding opportunitythe forNLF you to engageinclude andplace-based shareevents insightsthat withfocus fellowon CEO-levelregional leaders,collaboration and belocal aimpact.

NLF: partUK of- the5 conversationNovember on mission delivery, enhancing our collective efforts in public service.

2026

National Leadership Forum

Our annual CEO Conferenceconference returns to London on 5 November 2026. This exclusive one-day event is designed specifically for public sector CEOs.

RegisterCEOs fornavigating the Nationalcountry’s Leadershipmost Forumcomplex 2026

Eventchallenges. Highlights:

• inspiringJoin speakersto - hear from thought-provoking speakers offering fresh perspectives on the challenges and innovations shaping our country
country.

Location: London

Format: In-person one-day conference.

Register for NLF: UK 2026: Click here to register for NLF UK

• systemsSystems leadershipLeadership - join discussions focused on addressing the collective problemsproblem-solving  you face as leaders across the public sector
• relevantRelevant insightsInsights - gain insights from fellow leaders navigating complex challenges, and equip yourself with actionable insights and strategiesstrategies.
• networkingNetworking opportunities - connect with fellowpeers leaders across the UK public sector and build valuable relationships to enable collaboration and innovation

NLF: North West - 18 June 2026 (Regional Pilot)

PreviousThe eventsinaugural haveNLF: receivedNorth enthusiasticWest feedback,is an intimate, half-day session designed for CEOs across the region to discuss how national policies are affecting our local communities. This pilot event focuses on breaking down silos and youbuilding cana getshared vision for the North West.

• Local Solutions: Influence how the needs of the North West are reflected in national priorities.
• Breaking Silos: Build a tasteshared understanding of whathow regional organisations overlap and fit together.
• Stronger Connections: Dedicated time to expectbuild the connectivity required for place-based success.

Location: Manchester City Centre

Format: Half-day conference, including time for networking and focused roundtable discussions.

Express your interest: Attendance is by watchinginvitation for CEO-level leaders within the followingNorth videoWest. To express your interest in attending this regional pilot, please email psl@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Interested in a forum in your region?

The North West event is the first in a series of planned regional pilots. If you are a public sector leader in another part of the UK and would like to see the National Leadership Forum come to your area, we would value your input.

Register your interest in future regional events and help us shape the NLF’s place-based strategy by email to psl@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Watch highlights from ourNLF: NovemberUK 2025 event.to see the quality of discussion, peer-to-peer networking, and the calibre of speakers that define the NLF. Our regional events, while more intimate in scale, carry the same commitment to high-level strategic insight and collaborative leadership.

National Leadership Forum, November 2025

Public Leaders Programme

TheLaunched new Public Leaders Programme, set to launch in January 2026, isour aflagship 12-month leadership programme designedis currently underway for individualsour infirst cohort of public sector CEO-levelCEOs. roles.We will open for applications for the 2027 intake in late spring.

The Public Leaders Programme aimsis an opportunity for leaders to enhance their knowledge, connect and work together as a public sector community. Aiming to address key challenges faced by leaders andthe will focus is on:

• building relationships and networks across the public sector
• improving core skills for systems leadership at the executive level
• enhancing capabilities to make principled, ethical decisions aligned with public service values
• improving knowledge of factors strategically shaping the UK
• enhancing the capability to innovate and lead modernisation in a rapidly changing world

This will be an opportunity for leaders to build their knowledge, connect and work together.

Peer Mentoring Programme

In collaboration with the College of Policing we are piloting a cross public sector peer mentoring programme. A limited number of places will be available; please express your interest via leadershipcollege@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Coffee Connect

ThisOur programmepopular focusesnetworking onprogramme buildingcontinues yourto personalrun network.monthly. Once a month, we pair participants with a leader from a large public sector organisation or Civil Service department. Participants get in touch with each other to arrange a convenient time to meetconnect either(by over the phone or byvideo). video-conferencingParticipants platform. Each month, participants are offered the opportunity to opt out each month if they aren’t available.

We run two schemes, one for CEOs and another for Deputy CEOs (or equivalent level roles).

Register for Coffee Connect

LeadingBespoke Collaborative OrganisationsSupport

We are not currently deliveringdesigning thishigh-impact programmecross-sector asinitiatives weto refreshaddress the unique geographical and strategic challenges for leaders across the UK. These interventions are smaller, more responsive and more bespoke than our programmeother offer.offers, allowing us to make a greater impact on specific topics.

ParticipantsPlace-based ofSupport this: programmeEnhancing willplace-based broadencollaboration theirto understandingimprove ofcitizen collaborationoutcomes acrossand threeensuring programmelocal elements;expertise twoeffectively residentialshapes modulesnational andpolicy.

Thematic Support: Convening leaders to solve complex, intertwined crises at a webinar.system level through shared vision and collective action.  

TheWe programmework willclosely includewith severalleaders differentto typesensure our support is targeted and meets the specific needs of learningyour sessionsplace or sector. If you would like to have a conversation about how we could work with you on specific themes or locations, please email us at psl@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. 

Aspiring Chief Executives

We are currently in the design phase of a strongrefreshed personalversion reflectiveof elementthis runningprogramme throughout.(previously Fromknown presentations,as experientialLeading visitsCollaborative Organisations). We anticipate launching this offer in 2027, and facilitatedintend discussions,to expand eligibility to cross-sectorDeputy panelsCEOs and real-lifeequivalent caselevel studies,roles.

CEO participantsCommunity willCalls

Over identify the challengespast and18 enablers,months we have hosted a series of CEO Community Calls, hosted by Catherine Little, Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Permanent Secretary to the impactCabinet theyOffice. haveThis programme of calls is currently on theirpause ownas motivations,we structuresrefresh the format to better align with our new thematic and relationshipsplace-based aspriorities. We plan to launch a new series of calls later in 2026 and will share further details and registration links in due course.

Peer Mentoring Programme

In collaboration with the College of Policing we are piloting a cross public servicesector leaders.peer mentoring programme. A limited number of places will be available; please express your interest via psl@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Eligibility requirements for our courses

TheWe Leadershipwork College for Government (LCG) works with representative bodies from across the public sector to agree and review the criteria we use to determine eligibility for our programmes.

CEO Currently, CEO leaders (and equivalent level roles) of the largest public sector and civil service organisations in the UK are eligible to participate in our programmes*. 

The following is a list of the roles which would typically be eligible for our public sector leadership development programmes.

• CEOs in the National Health Service, including NHS Trusts, Ambulance Trusts, and Integrated Care SystemsBoards
• Vice-chancellors of universities with over 10,000 students, or 5,000 students where higher education isn’t represented in that region
• Principals or CEOs  of large further education colleges (turnover of £30m+)
• CEOs of academy chains (25 or more linked schools or 10,000 or more students)
• Local authority CEOs
• Chief constables of police services
• Chief fire officers of fire and rescue services
• Civil Service Permanent Secretaries and Directors General (SCS3 and 4)
• Three and four star military officers
• CEOs of the largest Arms Length Bodies and Regional Transport Authorities (SCS3 and 4 equivalent level roles)
• Chief Executives of Crown Dependencies
• Permanent Secretaries/ equivalents of Overseas Territories

All applications are non-selective but the LCG reserves the right to ensure that there is a reasonable distribution of different sectors across the organisations attending. Where courses are extremely popular, the LCG will look to repeat them as soon as possible.

*The exception to this is for Coffee Connect which offers two separate schemes; one for Chief Executive Officers and another for Deputy Chief Executive Officers (and equivalent level roles) from eligible organisations. We are expecting to expand our offer to provide a wider breadth of support to Deputy CEOs and equivalent roles from 2027.