A professional course that will use intensive workshops to develop leadership skills has been launched as part of a campaign to encourage more diversity on public sector boards.
The designers of the learning and development programme, which is being run by Common Purpose as part of their About Time campaign, say the course will look at best practice in governance and the role and responsibilities of board members. The workshops will "develop leadership skills for participants to ensure they are effective as board members of national bodies and play an active and responsible role in civic society."
Common Purpose says their aim is to increase the diversity of public body board members and the number of people involved in public life across the UK. It says that increasing the talent pool of individuals ready to take up positions and overcoming barriers to participation – using methods developed by the course – are key to achieving this goal.
"Public boards not only have a responsibility to maintain vision but to be representative of the diverse communities they serve and it is "about time" we increased the diversity of public governance to ensure that is the case," says Kate Nash, chair of the campaign.
"The UK is undergoing a great deal of change with a new coalition government and huge public sector cuts that will mean the governance of national, local and regional boards will be increasingly important to maintain vision and strategic pathways to keep organisations on track."
Students on the courses will have the opportunity to meet, interview and debate with experienced board members and executives and to learn how to balance competing priorities and will develop skills in strategic planning, restructuring, communication and crisis management.
"Effective boards need more people to engage and represent wider society, and to serve and challenge organisations," says Nash. "The diversity of public boards is critical to its ability to spot issues and trends. Over the years there have been many initiatives seeking to increase the numbers involved in public life without much success. So isn't it About Time we really made it happen?"
Common Purpose, an international leadership development organisation, launched the About Time campaign in conjunction with the Government Equalities Office in January.
The About Time course will run from 21 October in London for three days.
From Bubb's Blog
From Whitehall Watch
