Our fast-paced Strategic Leadership and Management Training Programme offers a holistic curriculum that blends theory with actionable leadership skills, to fulfil your potential and drive impact.  Over the course of five months, participants will embark on a learning journey that equips them with the tools to tackle challenges unique to their sectors. 

• Blended learning: A mix of in-person workshops, online learning, and practical, on-the-job tasks 

• Industry-focussed: Tailored specifically for healthcare, engineering and manufacturing professionals. 

• Personalised coaching: Four-month leadership coaching support 

• Start dates: Monday 21st October 2024, Monday 24th March 2025, 8th September 2025, 9th February 2025.  

• Duration: 5 months 

• Modules: 6 strategic leadership modules 

• Fees: £3,000 (fully funded and co-funding spaces available through WMCA ) 

• Delivery: Blended delivery with in-person workshops. 

The Strategic Leadership and Management Training Programme is structured to ensure a seamless learning experience: 

• Workshops: 6 in-person workshops (3 hours each) 

• Online learning: 3 hours of self-paced online learning per module 

• On-the-job tasks: 1 hour per week for practical application 

• Coaching programme: 1-hour monthly online coaching sessions 

• Autumn 2024 cohort: 21st October- 10th March 2025  

• Spring 2025 cohort: 24th March 2025- 4th August 2025  

• Autumn 2025: 8th September 2025- 2nd February 2026 

• Spring 2026: 9th February 2026 – 29th June 2026  

Each module is designed to address the specific leadership challenges faced by the healthcare and engineering sectors. Some of the areas you will explore include: 

• Strategic leadership theories: Understand leadership styles and self-assess your leadership capabilities. 

• Crisis management: Learn how to lead through emergencies and post-crisis recovery. 

• Sustainability leadership: Build innovative business models for achieving net-zero targets. 

• Inclusive leadership: Promote diversity and create inclusive work environments 

• Transformational leadership: Develop digital transformation strategies and change management in an AI era.  

• Senior executives, managers and entrepreneurs responsible for driving growth and sustainability.  

• Professionals aspiring to move into leadership roles that require strategic oversight, self-reflection and inclusive team cultures.   
• Leaders in small- and medium-sized businesses across health, social care, engineering and manufacturing, looking to sharpen their strategic leadership skills.  

Course Director

• Dr Sean Starr

Director of Executive Education and Apprenticeships Lead, Co-Lead of Management Research Centre (MRC), WLV Business School, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences

Tutors

• Professor Subashini Suresh

Professor of Knowledge Management and Director for Postgraduate Research Programme (DPGRP) at the Faculty of Science and Engineering

• Dr Suresh Renukappa

Reader in Sustainable Value Creation, Faculty of Science and Engineering.

• Professor Panos Georgakis

Professor in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Faculty of Science and Engineering

• Elaine Kirkham

Senior Lecturer, Department of Management and Leadership, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences

• Ms Jayne Hollinshead,

Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing

To access funding:
1.  You must reside in one of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) seven metropolitan councils in the West Midlands region (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton). 
2.  Work in the Health/Healthcare or Engineering sectors for an SME of 250 employees or less. 
3.  Provide documentary evidence of your home address, right to work in the UK and UK residency for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning.
4.  WMCA will fully fund applicants if salary does not exceed £32,000. WMCA offers co-funded places too.
5. University of Wolverhampton has limited scholarships to fully fund applicants who exceed WMCA salary threshold - contact execed@wlv.ac.uk.

• Increased organisational performance  

Organisations benefit from leaders with improved execution of business objectives, higher employee engagement, resilient operations and enhanced productivity. Leaders trained on this course can support businesses to navigate uncertainties such as economic shifts, technological disruptions, and industry-specific crises in the West Midlands region.  

• Greater employee retention  

Strong, inclusive leadership leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. Employees feel supported and valued under competent leaders, reducing turnover and helping the organisation retain top talent. 

• Return on investment (ROI): 

The leadership course is designed to provide measurable outcomes. Organisations can track the improvements in leadership behaviours, team performance, and overall business growth, ensuring that the investment in the course yields tangible benefits. 

At the University of Wolverhampton, we’re committed to supporting your career progression and lifelong learning beyond this course. The Career SPACE portal offers tailored resources and expert guidance to help executive education learners like you excel in today’s competitive landscape.

What we offer:

• Leadership CV reviews: Ensure your experience and achievements shine with targeted feedback from careers professionals and industry professionals.
• Strategic networking opportunities: Access exclusive events to connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders.
• Job market insights: Via the Career Space portal, stay ahead with the latest trends and opportunities tailored to senior and executive-level positions.

Whether you're advancing in your current role or exploring new opportunities, access to Career SPACE will equip you with the tools and confidence to lead with purpose.

Learners have the opportunity to enhance their professional profile with our exclusive Digital Badge programme on the Strategic Leadership and Management Training course.

What are digital badges?

Digital badges are modern, shareable credentials that highlight your achievements and skills. They’re perfect for showcasing your expertise on platforms like LinkedIn, in your email signature, or on your CV.

How it works

• Earn a digital badge for each of the course’s six modules by completing a self-assessment quiz and achieving a score of 80% or higher.
• Successfully collect all six module badges to unlock the University of Wolverhampton and WMCA Strategic Leadership Badge, recognising your comprehensive leadership mastery through the programme.

Based in the heart of the Black Country and West Midlands, our training leverages the local community and industries, ensuring our programme is practical, relevant, and accessible. Leaders who have undergone the course will be able to foster innovation, creativity, and sustainability within their teams. With upcoming local developments like the Black Country Green Innovation Corridor, this course will support local leaders to improve their organisation’s competitive edge and drive long-term growth.

We aim to make leadership development accessible to all, with recruitment and support strategies that prioritise diversity, including participants from underrepresented groups.  

Our course emphasises inclusive leadership, which fosters a more diverse and equitable workplace. This benefits organisations by encouraging diverse perspectives, enhancing creativity, and driving better decision-making.

An introduction to the Strategic Leadership short course (Tuesday 4th March 2025) - Book a place