Perth Leadership Academy

• Leadership Academy to support emerging leaders from private, public and third sectors
• Initiative to help region attract more investment, higher-skilled jobs, new opportunities
• Programme created by Perthshire leadership development specialists Help to Grow
• Supported by Perth and Kinross Business Partnership, Howden Insurance and Aviva
• Programme launch welcomed by Perth and Kinross Council

A major new initiative is being launched this month to nurture the next generation of leaders in Perth and Kinross and help drive growth and improved partnership working across the region.

Perth Leadership Academy will work with a group of emerging leaders from the private, public and third sectors to help equip them with the skills they need to boost the leadership capability in their own organisations and help them work more effectively with other partners.

The programme has been created by Ian Ferguson, Founder of Perthshire-based leadership development specialists Help to Grow, and is supported and sponsored by Perth and Kinross Business Partnership, Howden Insurance Brokers and Aviva.

The initiative is designed to support wider efforts to create a more vibrant, dynamic, and sustainable Perth city region that attracts more investment, higher-skilled jobs, and opportunities for all.

Emerging leaders will undertake a nine-month programme involving a series of six workshops, coaching materials, as well as first-hand experiences and lessons from local business owners and current senior leaders.

They will also have the opportunity to learn lessons in real time by working together to discuss local live issues, creating recommendations for Perth and Kinross Business Partnership.

Perth Leadership Academy is designed to ensure the participants develop:

leadership skills that will benefit them for the rest of their career

practical problem-solving skills and ideas to address current business challenges

new contacts and a lasting professional support network.

The programme will be led by Ian Ferguson, a former senior executive at Aviva and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management. He has led teams in times of growth, change and crisis, and been a board member of several industry, public and charitable companies.

Sessions will also be delivered by Karen Jackman, a highly experienced senior leader who has led a variety of cross-functional teams. A former President of the Perth and Dundee Chartered Insurance Local Institute, she has a master’s in business administration from the Open University and is a particular supporter of women in leadership.

Ian said: “Empowering the next generation with the leadership skills and confidence to take on greater responsibilities is essential if we want to see local businesses grow, and to create a positive cycle of investment and opportunity in our region.

“The programme is aimed at individuals who excel in their field and have great attitude but may lack some of the leadership skills they need to progress in their careers and add even more value to their organisation.

“It’s all about practical application and collaboration, learning from leaders who have faced real-world challenges. It’s also a safe space to have open discussions and build trusted relationships. As well as self-development and helping their own companies grow, we’re confident the programme will also contribute to the local economy.”

The launch of the Leadership Academy comes as business organisations and other partners, including Perth and Kinross Council, prepare to finalise the region’s Economic Action Plan for the next five years through to 2030.

Steven Stewart, Co-Chair of the Perth and Kinross Business Partnership, said: “If you look at successful city regions across the UK, Europe and beyond, you will find one common factor: strong civic and business leadership and positive partnerships.

“The Business Partnership is delighted to help support Perth Leadership Academy. It’s an ideal fit with our aim of delivering a better business environment and working collaboratively to tackle the barriers to prosperity in our region.

“For us, it was important to provide an opportunity for emerging leaders in the private, public and third sectors to come together rather than separately to grow their leadership skills, understand each other’s different perspectives, and tackle live local issues.

“We look forward to seeing the impact the Leadership Academy makes to the opportunities, growth and influence of our region, as well as ideas that we can take forward in our mission to deliver real change for the benefit of our economy and our communities.”

Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: "I am delighted to see the Perth Leadership Academy being spearheaded by the Perth and Kinross Business Partnership.

“This initiative lays the groundwork for creating better-paid job opportunities for our residents and supporting the growth of local businesses. It also sends a strong message to potential investors that Perth and Kinross not only offers excellent transport links and a high quality of life but also boasts a pool of trained and developed talent ready to be recruited locally."

ENDS

For further information, please contact: Ian Ferguson, mobile 07850 170127 or email ian@helptogrow.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Help to Grow

Help to Grow is a specialist leadership and professional development consultancy based in Perthshire. The business is led by Director Ian Ferguson, who has held senior roles and been a board member of several industry, public and charitable companies. Ian is an ACII Chartered Insurer, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, and a qualified and certified Executive Coach. Further information at https://helptogrow.co.uk/index.html

Perth and Kinross Business Partnership

Perth and Kinross Business Partnership works with the private, public and third sectors to make the region a better place to do business, grow our economy, and address the challenges of poverty and inequality. We collaborate, work with and support hundreds of local businesses and networks every day. Organisations involved in the Business Partnership include rural enterprise champion GrowBiz, Giraffe Trading representing the social economy, Perth Farmers’ Market, and Perthshire Businesswomen’s Network. Find out more at www.pkbusinesspartnership.co.uk

Aviva

Aviva is the UK’s leading diversified insurer across insurance, wealth and retirement, with 19.2 million customers in the UK, Ireland and Canada. It is committed to social action, climate action and being a sustainable business. In 2021, it was the first major insurance company in the world to announce plans to become net zero by 2040.

Howden Insurance

Howden Insurance Brokers is a leading provider of insurance broking, risk consulting, and employee benefits advice. It is part of the Howden Broking Group, employing 15,000 people and handling $30bn of premium on behalf of clients.