Development programme

We offer ongoing support to members seeking degree awarding powers at all levels.  We convene sector experts for guidance, offer 1:1 support and connect you to peers who have recent experience of different stages of the process, including those who've recently achieved those powers. Members can also find a wide range of resources in our Members Area.

If you would like to find out more, please email Kate Wicklow, Director of Policy and Strategy.

We have now closed expressions of interest for our new leadership development pilot, co-designed and delivered in partnership with leadership specialists Gatenby Sanderson. We are currently working with participating institutions to shape the programme and will share further updates in due course.

This pilot programme offers a comprehensive and cost-effective leadership development opportunity tailored to the unique contexts of GuildHE institutions. It is designed for staff currently in leadership positions - whether academic or professional services - particularly those leading teams or strategic projects and seeking to further develop their leadership capabilities. 

Following recent feedback from our members on areas where additional support would be most valuable for governors and boards, we are pleased to share details of the new GuildHE Governor and Board Training Programme, delivered in partnership with Aaron Porter from Advance HE.

This four-session programme is designed specifically for board members of GuildHE institutions and provides focused, practical development aligned to the current regulatory and governance landscape. The programme is structured so that your board members can attend one or all of the sessions.

• Session 1: Principles of good governance 
• Session 2: The regulatory environment 
• Session 3: Governance and management boundary
• Session 4: Strategy, performance, and effectiveness

About the speaker:

Aaron Porter, Associate Director (Governance), Advance HE

Aaron leads on Advance HE governance activity through the delivery of their national Governor Development Programme which engages with around 900 governors across the UK on an annual basis. He has extensive experience leading reviews of over 25 governing boards.

If you have any questions, please reach out to: [email protected]

We are supporting our members through transformation and efficiency conversations and working collaboratively with the UUK Taskforce. GuildHE-specific activities have included roundtables on unique challenges of rural or coastal locations, and for creative specialists. These conversations have led to the development of support and information sharing, and have fed into our wider development programme activities. 

We have also hosted a ‘Radical collaboration in higher education’ workshop, partnering with KPMG and Mills & Reeve. This interactive workshop allowed senior leaders to reflect on strategic drivers for collaboration, assess models, and consider practical steps, including identifying suitable models and key considerations for boards and senior leadership, such as regulatory requirements. We will be running this workshop again with them in summer 2026. 

We are continuing to develop efficiency-focused activities and plan further workshops on collaboration and practical efficiency steps, such as discussions on shared activities, commercialisation and partnerships. We are also working with AdvanceHE on new merger resources for the sector. We are also keen that more resources are available for other forms of collaboration across the sector, and for senior leaders and governing bodies.

Following the recent session on Strategic Thinking and Innovation in Leadership for Higher Education (HE) with Caroline Dunne in March 2026, GuildHE will be running a series of three 90-minute online workshops designed for early-career and aspiring leaders, giving them tools they can apply immediately in their institutions.

The three workshops align with the priority areas identified by GuildHE for leadership development: navigating HE governance, managing teams and projects, and influencing and communication:

• Session 1 of 3 (15 June, 13:00-14:30): Navigating HE Governance
  • Demystifying governance structures in HE, how decisions are made and how to contribute with clarity and impact
• Session 2 of 3 (23 June, 13:00-14:30): Managing Teams and Projects
  • How to lead with confidence, clarity and care - and set up your people and projects for success in complex environments
• Session 3 of 3 (3 July, 13:00-14:30): Influencing and Communication
  • How to build influence, craft clear messages and create genuine engagement

Click here to register

Cost:

• £40 (per session)
• £110 (discounted rate for all three sessions)

About the speaker:

Caroline Dunne is a Leadership Coach and Change Practitioner with over 25 years’ experience working with senior leaders in complex, fast-evolving higher environments. She partners with academic and professional services leaders who are navigating sustained pressure, uncertainty and major change.

Caroline’s work is grounded in lived experience. She has held senior executive and advisory roles across diverse universities in the UK and Australia, including serving as Chief of Staff to a Vice-Chancellor at a large, multi-campus institution. From the executive corridor to faculties, schools and central portfolios, Caroline has led and supported large-scale transformation programmes, cultural renewal and the development of internal change leadership capability.