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Stepping Up!

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Stepping Up
National Leadership Programme

Start your leadership journey online
Award winning Inclusive Leadership Programme

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Unlocking talent. Accelerating equity. Transforming leadership.

Stepping Up National Leadership Programme

  • Stepping Up National Leadership is a transformative learning experience designed to elevate leaders from all backgrounds, nationwide.

    Our mission is simple: to build equitable, inclusive and courageous leadership that drives high performance and meaningful change.

    Delivery: 100% Online
    Cost: £2,500
    Status: Open for applications

Download our Brochure

Our Vision 

Based on the award-winning Stepping Up Inclusive Leadership programme, our dedicated online learning experience provides all tools and skills needed to build the next step in your leadership career with confidence.

We believe that leadership excellence is rooted in:

• Inclusion and equity
• Lived experience
• Digital innovation
• Cultural intelligence
• Double-Loop Learning 
• Authentic connection
• Courage to challenge barriers
• Creating opportunity for all 

Organic by Design - The Stepping Up National Leadership Programme is shaped by the lived experiences of its participants and reflects the organisation and communities it serves. It is inclusive, responsive, and grounded in real‑world leadership.
A holistic online learning experience - The Stepping Up National Leadership Programme blends academic rigour with experiential insight to support each participant’s unique development path. From strategic thinking to emotional intelligence, the programme nurtures leaders who are both visionary and grounded.

Double Loop Learning within Stepping Up enables emergent leaders to not only perform better-but to think differently, lead with intent, and progress their careers while delivering meaningful impact across
complex systems.

Wellbeing - It's the heartbeat of inclusive leadership, not a luxury. Emotional agility, resilience, and self‑awareness are essential skills for navigating today’s challenges with clarity and compassion.

Are you ready to step up? Join a thriving community of leaders who have already taken the leap, with 87% progressing into new or enhanced roles within just 12 months. Don’t hesitate - apply now and begin your journey of transformation!

participants since 2017

Training Milestones

Partner organisations

Mentors Matched

A Unique Approach to Leadership

Stepping Up using an inclusive leadership model is driven by the intentional act of creating spaces where every individual feels seen, valued, and empowered to contribute at their highest level. It recognises that leadership is not defined by title or hierarchy, but by the courage to influence, uplift, and inspire - wherever you stand. It is a distributed model of leadership that invites each person, in any role, position, or sector, to lead with purpose, authenticity, and a commitment to equity.
As part of the programme, participants develop:

  • Self-awareness
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Skills to lead diverse teams and communities
  • A deep understanding of equity and belonging
  • Confidence to challenge bias and structural barriers
  • Tools to build psychologically safe cultures
  • The ability to lead through complexity and change

Inclusive leadership isn’t an add‑on - it is a core leadership capability needed in every modern organisation.

“I was promoted as soon as
I joined Stepping Up”

Wali (EDI manager and NED)

Who is the
Programme For?

  • Emerging and established leaders across public and commercial sectors
  • Individuals leading teams, services, or projects in complex environments
  • Leaders who want to move from managing tasks to driving meaningful impact
  • Those ready to challenge their own assumptions and ways of thinking
  • Professionals seeking to progress, reshape, or accelerate their career
  • Individuals passionate about improving systems, outcomes, and culture


You will benefit most if you:

  • Are open to critical reflection and personal growth Want to lead with greater clarity, purpose, and influence
  • Are navigating complex challenges or system-wide change
  • Are committed to developing both your impact and your career trajectory
  • You don't need to have 'leader ' in your title to apply for the programme

We welcome applicants from all sectors, backgrounds and experiences.

Confidence
boost

Career
Progression

Talent
Retention

Employer's
Statisfaction

Programme
Overview

The programme blends theory, practice and lived experience to create deep, impactful personal growth via live webinars, online mentoring, group project activities, guest contributors, and e-learning activities.

Participants joining the programme will develop their capabilities across a variety of areas, including: 

• Inclusive leadership & equity
• Leading with purpose
• Psychological safety
• Pedagogy of empowerment
• Strengths-based leadership
• Cultural & identity awareness
• Coaching & mentoring
• Digital leadership & innovation
• Strategic influence & communication
• Applied learning via stretch assignments
• Peer community & network building
• Access to e‑Learning platform, booklets and learning materials


With over 6 years of online and hybrid training delivery, we proud ourself to offer an empathic and flexible approach towards the goals of the programme, taking into consideration pressures from the workplace and at home.


"I was selected for a civil service fast track scheme against hundreds of applications."

Sebastian - Civil servant

Your Learning
Journey

YOUR INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP JOURNEY:

  • Step 1 - Know Yourself. Discover your strengths, values and identity as a leader.


  • Step 2 - Leading with equity & inclusion. Frameworks, models and tools for inclusive leadership.


  • Step 3 - Mentoring & coaching. Virtual mentoring and guided development tools.


  • Step 4 - Applied learning. Digital learning platform, booklets, pedagogy tools and real‑world practice.


  • Step 5 - Stretch assignment. A practical project addressing a live organisational or community challenge.


  • Step 6 - Celebration & progression. Final presentation, cohort graduation and progression planning.

“Stepping Up Changed my
life - let it change yours”

Corinne, Visiting Professor

Programme
Benefits


Participants gain:

  • Increased confidence
  • Clarity of purpose
  • Leadership grounded in inclusion
  • A strong professional network
  • Mentoring relationships
  • A portfolio of applied learning
  • Improved strategic communication
  • Greater influence and visibility
  • Career advancement readiness


Organisations gain:

  • More inclusive, effective leaders
  • Greater diversity in leadership 
  • Improved culture
  • Improved psychological safety
  • Stronger innovation and performance
  • Better retention of under-represented staff

"I was promoted to EDI Head of Department and a NED charity role" 

Sharon, NHS

Success Stories 
& Impact

Stepping Up has empowered leaders across sectors to accelerate their careers and transform their organisations. Impact 960 participants achieved personal growth 87% progression 63% confidence increase Leadership skills uplift 70-90%.

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I got promoted before I even finished the programme!
DAN
I have been promoted three times since completing Stepping Up
Deanna
Stepping Up Stretch Assignment enhanced my inclusive leadership skills.
Abishek

"Stepping up gave me the confidence to organise the Race and Culture conference, and step up to be a shadow board member."

Abishek, Civil Service

How to Apply?

Ready to Step Up?

We welcome applications from UK-based individuals eager to develop their leadership potential.

The full cost of the programme is £2,500 (VAT exempt) per participant. 

Employers sponsor the programme, please check with your HR representative for eligible funding requirements. Payment is required prior to commencement (multiple payment options available).


To apply:
• Complete our online application form.
• Submit a short personal statement.

Application deadline: 
Monday 30th November

For organisational partnerships or custom leadership programmes, please email contact@steppingupleadership.com

Our Trusted Partners

We are proud to collaborate with leading organisations committed to inclusion, talent and leadership development.

 Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of the programme?

 The full cost of the programme is £2,500 (VAT exempt) per participant. Payment is required prior to commencement (multiple payment options available).

How many days is the programme?

12 days over 6 months.

If I am not able to attend how do I catch up ?

All learning sessions are offered online. VODs will be available should you miss a session.

Am I expected to learn in my own time?

You will need to check the study leave policy with your employer.
It is expected some self study will be required.

Are there bursaries if my employer is not able to fund?

There are a small number of bursaries for those who are self employed or work in the voluntary sector.
All requests for a bursary has to be made at the application stage.