Aspiring CEO programme

This programme is designed for aspiring CEOs to better understand and achieve their leadership goals.

It will cover the fundamentals, based on ACEVO’s Leadership Competencies, and designed using an anti-oppressive, adult learning approach.

We want to work with you as the whole individual that you are. This means understanding the type of leader that you want to be, the things that drive and motivate you, and what your unique journey might look like.

The programme, co-created with ACEVO and some of its members, is built with ACEVO’s vision and mission at its core:

Our vision: that civil leader society leaders make the biggest possible impact.

Our mission: to be a powerful catalyst for inspired, inspiring and impactful civil society leadership.

This means that we’ll be exploring skills, knowledge and behaviours that are relevant, sustainable and future-focused. We will focus on leadership approaches and behaviours, testing them in practical scenarios and under the range of CEO responsibilities.

Who the programme is for

This programme is designed for those senior managers working towards their progression into their first CEO role within a values-led organisation. We’re particularly keen to hear from senior leaders from historically marginalised communities. We believe that to understand, develop and advocate for the most progressive and inclusive forms of civil society leadership, our leaders should also be representative of our diverse communities.

Delegates will be excited by having the space for self-reflection, collaborative learning, and openness to courageous conversation. Delegates will be open to leadership approaches that are courageous, compassionate, and curious.

Delegates will commit to 2 – 3 days of learning each month for 5 months plus an introduction in March 2026. Delegates will have the opportunity to put their learning into practice in their current role, honing their self-awareness, skills and behaviours.

Learning Methods

We believe in using a variety of learning methods to maximise impact and complement a range of learning styles. As part of this programme, each delegate will have access to:

• development workshops:  three in-person, full day workshops and four online, 90-minute sessions
• Lumina Spark personality tool and profile
• 360-degree review, report and coaching
• one-to-one coaching: two coaching sessions
• an insight visit to a charity
• an online learning community and resources bank

Learning objectives and expected outcomes

The learning objectives are based on the six ACEVO leadership competencies. We have designed the programme to help delegates:

Action Catalyst: build a range of tools and resources that delegates can confidently draw upon in their decision-making.

Collaborating Connector: be better equipped to adapt their style for inclusive co-creation, collaboration and communication that builds meaningful connections.

Trusted Educator: adopt a lifelong learning approach that can develop themselves, and others, with credibility and criticality.

Inspiring Influencer: identify what bold, anti-oppressive leadership looks like for them, and how they use it to inspire their workforce and invested parties.

Visionary Persuader: develop future-focused strategic plans, delivered through a values-driven organisational culture.

Self Aware, Self Care: better understand themselves, the type of leader that they want to be and what they need to lead sustainably.

By the end of the programme, we aim for delegates to feel that:

• they have a network of peers they can progress and collaborate with
• they have clear insight into the CEO role including what’s involved and expected
• more confident with their wellbeing and resilience strategies
• able to evidence their developmental journey throughout the programme
• they have a clear plan for what’s next
• they have had a fun and meaningful experience

Lastly, this programme is designed to stretch delegates’ leadership thinking beyond traditional management skills. We will do this through:

• helping you consider how you think, by encouraging you to reflect on how you make sense of a complex, messy world.
• helping you identify your mission, by enabling you to develop your sense of personal values, integrity and openness to bring in a range of thoughts, experience and skills.
• helping you discover your form of activism, by developing your knowledge, skills and confidence to challenge established oppressive practices, to hold space for uncomfortable conversations, and co-create inclusive solutions.

Programme content and schedule

The programme will run from March 2026 to August 2026. Delegates will be expected to commit 2.5 to 3 days each month for the duration of the programme. See the Schedule tab above for the full programme.

To make these programmes as accessible as possible, payment plans are available to spread the cost, please contact us at events@acevo.org.uk for more details.

Facilitators