Our Aspiring Chief Executives Programme (ACE) is ideal for busy nonprofit leaders who want to stretch themselves, to learn, and who feel ready to take that step up to develop the skills to become chief executives
Key information
Programme Dates
This programme will consist of nine workshops on the below dates:
Module 1: Friday 31st January 2025 (in-person)
Action Learning Set 1: Friday 6th February (online)
Module 2: Thursday 27th & Friday 28th February 2025 (online)
Action Learning Set 2: Friday 21st March 2025 (online)
Module 3: Thursday 3rd & Friday 4th April 2025 (online)
Module 4: Thursday 15th and Friday 16th May (online)
Action Learning Set 3: Friday 13th June 2025 (online)
Module 5: Friday 27th June 2025 (in-person)
This programme is being delivered with both online and in-person elements.
Programme Costs
This programme costs £2,795pp. VAT is not charged.
As and when you are accepted onto the Aspiring Chief Executives programme, you will be asked to pay a deposit of £699 in order to secure your place on the programme. Please note that your place on the programme will not be confirmed until the deposit is paid. We will then send an invoice for the balance of the fee (£2,096) approximately one month prior to the start of the programme.
The application process for this series is now open. If you have any questions about the programme, please email CCE@city.ac.uk.
Bursary scheme for smaller charities
The Centre for Charity Effectiveness is keen to make the Aspiring Chief Executives programme accessible to as many organisations as possible, regardless of their size. As a result, we are offering a bursary scheme which would give a maximum of two individuals from smaller charities the opportunity to apply for the programme at the reduced price of £1,995pp.
In order to be eligible for the bursary the applicant’s organisation must have an annual turnover of less than £500,000. The two bursary positions will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you would like to be considered for the bursary, please complete the relevant section in the application form.
Please read our cancellation policy.
Who Should Attend
Aspiring Chief Executives has been designed specifically for senior leaders who are already employed within the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, who would like to enhance their senior leadership capabilities or who are considering the step up to a chief executive position.
To be eligible for the programme you will need to be currently in a post reporting directly to a chief executive and leading a team of staff. If you are unsure about your eligibility for this programme please contact us at CCE@city.ac.uk
Applying for the programme
Applications for this series are now open. Please complete this form to apply for the programme. Please note that applications are considered in the order they are received and there are a limited number of places on this programme. Applications will close when all spaces on the programme have been filled.
Why choose our Aspiring Chief Executive Programme?
This flagship programme has been designed to encompass a series of engaging, and highly participative sessions delivered by CCE's leadership development specialist tutors, with contributions from other subject matter experts and current non-profit CEOs. The programme combines in-person workshops, online action learning sets and other course materials and activities to support reflection, interactive group and peer learning, and the practical application of new thinking to emerging and real-world challenges.
Benefits to you
- Increase your confidence in your leadership skills
- Appraise the role of chief executive - understand the behaviour and qualities required of the role
- Learn how to lead with agility
- Enhance your presence, communication and relational leadership skills
- Build an enduring peer support network for your ongoing development and your future career.
Benefits to your organisation
- Understand how to improve organisational effectiveness through:
- Operational flexibility
- Responsive financial leadership
- Sustainable strategy
- Learn how to shape an organisation through positive relationships, dialogue and action
- Understand how to influence the chair and board, to engage stakeholders, and to incorporate diversity, inclusion and equity
- Widen your organisation's professional network.
"A programme I would very much recommend to colleagues and one I hope to support my organisation's Service Directors to attend in due course."
- Paul Gartland, Horton Housing Association
Programme Leaders
The programme will be co-facilitated by programme leaders Mandy Hetherton and Lisa Barry. You will also hear from a range of other external speakers and sector experts.
"It was a truly excellent experience. I have acquired a whole new toolkit that will enable me to be a better leader both in my current role and in any future CEO roles. I have also gained a very valuable network through the course tutors and my fellow participants. I would recommend it highly to senior leaders in charitable organisations looking to progress into CEO roles."
