ITC Leadership Support Programme – recruiting the 6^th cohort starting 6^th October 2026

Two years ago, ITC launched its pilot Leadership Support Programme – an exclusive service aimed at senior leaders of ITC member companies. Since then we have run 5 cohorts of the scheme working with 44 member leaders.

ITC’s Leadership Support Programme brings together a small group of senior leaders from ITC member organisations for a year of structured peer support, using Action Learning to explore real challenges, share perspectives and find new ways forward.

We’re now recruiting for our 6th cohort, starting 6 October 2026, with a maximum of 12 places available.

How does it work?

The programme begins with an introductory day on Zoom, bringing the whole cohort together to learn the principles of Action Learning.

Action Learning is a simple but powerful approach to peer coaching and problem-solving. Each participant brings a live challenge to the group, who help them explore it through active listening, open questions and reflection, rather than jumping straight to advice or solutions.

There are a few simple rules to action learning: no interruptions, no advice unless requested, complete confidentiality, no return to the issue unless the presenter requests, the presenter has the last word.

Following the introductory session, participants are matched into smaller groups of 3–4. These groups meet regularly over the following year, either online or in person, and are self-facilitated.

The result is a confidential space where you can:

• Talk through real leadership challenges with people who understand the sector
• Gain new perspectives on complex problems
• Develop your own approach to problem-solving
• Support other leaders through their challenges
• Build a trusted peer network that continues beyond the programme

Here are a few reflections on the scheme from leaders in the first few cohorts:

Toby Ealdon, Artistic Director & CEO – Zest Theatre Company (Lincoln)

‘Leadership can be lonely and hard. Joining the Leadership Support programme has given me some much-needed refreshment and solidarity as our sector navigates unprecedented times. I feel more connected, challenged, supported, and galvanised – all thanks to my brilliant peers in the group. It’s been so useful to hear from a range of voices and experiences, Chairs, CEOs, and aspiring leaders alike.’ 

Gareth Nicholls, Co-Director – Little Earthquake (Birmingham)

‘Being part of ITC’s Leadership Support Programme has been a truly rewarding experience. I’ve been meeting regularly with my peer group for the last 18 months, and they have quickly become trusted peers with whom I can share the highs and lows of working in this sector. I always leave our sessions with new insights, perspectives and approaches to the challenges I’m facing, but also with a real sense of having supported others through their own difficulties. There is something incredibly rewarding about asking the right questions, offering thoughtful reflections and helping someone see a difficult situation from a different perspective.

Being trained in and implementing the Action Learning Framework has also been incredibly useful, not only within our peer group but elsewhere in my work. It’s a brilliant and practical tool for interrogating complex situations and reflecting on possible solutions. It has changed the way I approach problem-solving and given me a valuable approach that I regularly use in my own organisation.’

Emma Rees, Exec Director & Joint CEO – Theatre Hullabaloo (Darlington)

‘I found being part of this programme tremendously useful. Being able to have frank, open and supportive conversations with peers who have an intuitive understanding of all of the ED stuff that sits behind every challenge was invaluable. It was so clear that our shared commitment to leading with integrity and to people-focussed values was at the heart of everything we discussed and that felt great’

Andrew Smaje, Director of Producing – Leeds Playhouse (Leeds)

‘Carving out time for these sessions might seem impossible – but it was always the best time spent all month. Time to decompress. Time to listen and to listen deep. Listening to others’ worries, conundrums and challenges or hearing your own spoken out loud to empathetic, non-judgemental, phenomenally smart and sensitive peers was (amazingly) the most energising, reassuring and insightful process. So much learning is to be had just from listening and thinking how to help others think things through’

Leanne Jones – CEO 20 Stories High (Liverpool).

‘Being on the leadership course was a much-needed space to pause, reflect and support. I had such a good time with our group. It felt so timely and such a profound opportunity to discover new things through questions as a trio of professionals, now friends. The coaching I received will stick with me for a long time.’

We are recruiting now for the sixth cohort which begins with an initial session on 6^th October. 

There are a maximum of 12 places available on this course and it is most useful for senior leaders: CEOs, Chairs, Artistic Directors, Senior Producers and other roles with management and strategic responsibility.

The cost of registering is £160+vat. 

You can sign up now here

If you want to discuss whether the programme would be suitable for you, please e-mail Charlotte Jones CEO ITC on c.jones@itc-arts.org or call on 02070896825. 

Or be notified of future programmes email r.hepworth@itc-arts.org. 

Emma Rees also said: ‘you would be doing yourself a great favour by signing up’.