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Short course

LeaderLab programme

Find out how University of Gloucestershire’s LeaderLab programme can empower you and your team.

Jump to: Your learning objectives | Programme structure | Modules | LeaderLab team | Case study | Costs and dates | Business School | Alumni | Contact us

University of Gloucestershire’s LeaderLab programme empowers you and your team to break out of your sector’s bubble, explore innovative solutions, while helping you develop a transformational leadership style.

Join the programme to gain the insights needed to lead with greater impact, and walk away with a practical toolkit of skills, strategies and real-time plans tailored for your organisation’s success.

Why LeaderLab? Your learning objectives

Breaking out of the bubble

To innovate new ideas and solutions with others from outside of your sector and to bring a fresh perspective to leadership challenges, opportunities and strategy.

Developing a transformational leadership style

To understand the difference between transactional and transformational leadership and how this applies across diverse aspects of your business and operations.

Taking a helicopter view

Having a deeper and more detailed understanding of the wide-ranging aspects of a growing business, so that you can become a more informed and insightful leader driving positive change and greater impact.

Creating a toolkit of knowledge, techniques and templates

To create a set of new skills, approaches and mindsets around leadership and growth, and to use these to design a real time plan for your business.

A team member gives a leadership presentation to a group of attendees.

LeaderLab programme structure

LeaderLab is delivered over 8 sessions. We start with an onboarding session designed to introduce participants and set expectations for the programme. This session helps answer initial questions and prepares attendees for their first full module.

The core of the programme consists of six full-day in-person modules, where participants engage with innovative teaching methods in collaborative, interactive sessions. These modules cover the key touchpoints of leadership, which participants then further explore through peer group discussions and assignments.

The programme concludes with participants presenting their Leadership Lightbulb Moment, offering them an opportunity to reflect on their learning and apply insights to their own leadership journey. The programme is typically delivered over 6 months. See individual cohort dates for further details.

Your LeaderLab modules

Each module is designed to build the practical skills and the mindset needed to lead with confidence. From understanding the core principles of leadership to developing the characteristics that define successful leaders, attendees gain the skills needed to create a clear vision and find their own style.

They learn how to lead teams effectively while fostering an inclusive, resilient and productive work environment, making sure they, and their teams, remain forward-thinking and adaptable.

“I can’t believe how much I’ve seen people grow. From that first onboarding session to today – they are different people, they are different leaders, they are a credit to the VCSE sector. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the programme.” 

Cate Hemmingway, Head of Sector Innovation, Gloucestershire VCS Alliance

The expert LeaderLab team

Alex Cottrell

Head of External Relationships at University of Gloucestershire, with a wealth of both academic and professional experience. Alex has seen over 3,000 high-growth businesses receive support through the workstreams she designs and manages. Her strategic vision for business support has allowed her to develop a dynamic programme of short courses for business, alongside driving the success of the LeaderLab programme.

Areas of expertise: strategy, communications, leadership, management

Alex Cottrell, Growth Hub Manager

Andy Kime

Experienced Business Consultant supporting Gloucestershire businesses across all sectors through the Growth Hub Gloucester. Drawing on over 20 years in finance and banking, as well as recent expertise in delivering the Help to Grow Management programme to more than 100 growth-focused businesses.

Areas of expertise: leadership, finance, growth, strategy

Head and shoulders photo of Andy Kime

Raines Williams MBA

Senior Corporate Communications Manager, business co-founder, and freelance marketing, communications and engagement specialist.

Areas of expertise include: marketing and communications strategies, change communications, brand management, business development

Head and shoulders photo of Raines Williams.

Sally Conlon

Experienced Business Development and Sales Manager with a demonstrated history of working in apprenticeships and work-based learning.

Areas of expertise include: negotiation, operations, management, and coaching

Head and shoulders photo of Sally Conlon

Sophie Burch

Specialist in supporting companies with degree apprenticeships focusing on Cyber and Technology, Leadership and Management across all sectors throughout the UK.

Areas of expertise include: consulting, business development, communication, sales, and training and development

Head and shoulders photo of Sophie Burch.

Sector and subject specialists

We also collaborate with sector-leading businesses, consultants, and subject experts to further enrich our modules. For our upcoming February 2025 cohort we’re partnering with award-winning The Ideas Agency. After over a decade in business, they’ve worked with some of the most ambitious people, agencies and organisations on the planet to change their trajectory by solving their challenges and driving revenues.

Nik Venios, Founder, will be offering alumni of the February cohort access to ideation support to further progress their development as leaders.

Head and shoulders photo of Nik Venios

“What’s been brilliant over the last six months is that 19 strangers came together and had really honest conversations about some of the challenges they were facing. They have connected on both an individual and organisation level. It just goes to show what a real impact it can make when you build those strategic connections and allow yourself to learn and to continue learning. And that’s what we’re all about.”


Alex Cottrell, Head of External Relationships, University of Gloucestershire

Costs and dates

LeaderLab requires an investment of £1,250 + VAT per attendee. This includes the six full-day sessions at Oxstalls campus where lunch is also provided, the onboarding session, the presentation session, all online peer-group sessions.

If you have a cohort of 10+ attendees from within your organisation interested in taking part we are happy to discuss bespoke options in further detail.

To find out more, or book your place, please complete the form.

2025 cohorts

February start

Please see below for details of our next cohort, beginning in February 2025. All sessions are held at the Gloucestershire Business School on Oxstalls Campus, GL2 9HW.

Module Date
Onboarding SessionThursday 27 February 2025
Leadership 1Thursday 6 March 2025
Continuous ImprovementThursday 3 April 2025
OperationsThursday 8 May 2025
PeopleThursday 12 June 2025
ChangeThursday 3 July 2025
Leadership 2Thursday 31 July 2025
Leadership presentationsThursday 14 August 2025

The Gloucestershire Business School

LeaderLab is delivered at our £18 million state-of-the-art Gloucestershire business school on Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester.

This centre for business opened in 2018 and facilities include a business incubation centre, a Thomson Reuters trading room, a moot court, boardrooms, a consumer behaviour lab, and equipment on par with that of a global headquarters. The spaces also includes the Gloucester Growth Hub.

Gloucestershire Business School in the evening
Inside the business school atrium

“It’s really helped not only me but the rest of my team improve and develop.”

LeaderLab alumni

LeaderLab alumni

We’re proud to have worked with some leading organisations in the South West to help upskill their current, and future, leadership teams.

Wall's logo
Stagecoach logo
Gloucestershire VCS Alliance logo
An office meeting with business workers sat around a table.

Get in touch

To find out when the next cohort of LeaderLab is taking place or create a bespoke LeaderLab programme for your organisation, get in touch with us today.