Leading Beyond Tomorrow

Culture Central is looking for a diverse and committed cohort of six to eight cultural leaders from across the West Midlands to take part in an action learning programme focused on succession planning.  

Here at Culture Central we have been thinking about leadership and succession for a while now, especially how we can develop more leaders and opportunities to lead – and how to create space.  We have done some of this through our Collective leadership programme for those traditionally excluded from careers in the cultural sector, with a focus on sector change. Our annual summit also creates an opportunity for sector leaders in the region to come together and consider our collective leadership. Last year we introduced two leadership associates roles working with Erica and Anthony as part of our succession planning.    

Succession planning goes beyond who takes a job after someone leaves. Good succession considers relationships, shifts in working styles and creative perspectives. It considers inclusive leadership, equitable opportunity to access leadership roles and to thrive in them, and enabling organisations to navigate and adapt to the change.  

Our regional workforce theory of action identified leadership development, collaboration and opportunities to work differently as a key part of workforce development for the cultural sector.  

Through the Leading Beyond Tomorrow programme we want to find existing leaders who are prepared to work in new ways, experimentally, collaboratively and exploring new ways of strengthening cultural leadership.  

The programme will create a supportive and confidential space for leaders to explore real challenges and think about how they can strengthen resilience in their organisations.  

The action learning set is an opportunity to explore:  

  • Inclusive Leadership 

  • Organisational Resilience 

  • Knowledge and Skills Retention 

  • Collective Regional Leadership 

  • Succession planning 

As part of this programme, you will have the opportunity to think beyond your own organisation and explore how we can collectively develop, retain and support future cultural leadership across the region. 

KEY INFORMATION 

WHO CAN APPLY? 

This programme is aimed at cultural leaders working across the West Midlands, including:  

  • Founders and leaders of founder-led organisations 

  • Chief Executives (CEOs) and Executive Directors 

  • Artistic and Creative Directors 

  • Grassroots and cultural community leaders 

  • Chairs of Boards 

TIMELINE: 

  • Friday 4th December 2026, 5pm: Applications close 

  • 10th - 15th December: Follow up conversations 

  • Thursday 17th December: Successful applicants notified 

  • End of January (date TBC): Onboarding and social 

  • Wednesday 3rd February, 10am - 3pm: Session 1  

  • Wednesday 3rd March, 10am - 3pm: Session 2

  • Wednesday 7th April, 10am - 3pm: Session 3 

  • Wednesday April, 10am - 3pm: Cohort reflection session 

LOCATION:

Sessions will be held at Centre City – Bruntwood SciTech, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4UA 

ACCESS:

If you need support to apply or think you might need adjustments or support to take part, please let us know. We will work with you to understand what might be helpful. 

We aim to facilitate and accommodate all accessibility needs, including but not limited to wheelchair access, hearing loops, quiet rooms, childcare and material support for low-waged participants. Please do let us know below if you have any specific questions, needs or comments and we will do our best to meet them.   

HOW DO I APPLY? 

Please complete this form by 5pm on Friday, 4th December 2026. 

As part of the application process, we may invite you for an informal conversation in mid-December to learn a little more about you and your interest in the programme.   

WHAT IS ACTION LEARNING?   

Action learning is a type of group coaching that has a lot of benefits for those taking part.  

Group members bring real-world challenges that they are facing to the group to work through. Structured and supportive sessions, led by a group facilitator, then use constructive challenge and coaching techniques to provide individuals with the space they need to identify a way forward and take action.    

What's particularly special about action learning is that everyone in the group gets to improve their own coaching and leadership skills, whilst the group format provides an instant network of peers that many people continue to work with, and draw support from, often long after an action learning set is complete.   

WHAT OTHER SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?

In this action learning set, participants will also receive a one-to-one coaching session with the group facilitator, outside of the set, to provide further support to help them turn their ideas into action and to reflect on what they have learned.  

After the sessions are finished, these relationships can become a valuable network of their own.   

DO YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS? 

We’d be happy to have a conversation with you. Please email info@culturecentral.co.uk and a member of the team will get in touch.  

Read the blog post from CEO Erica Love on the importance of succession planning and the wider thinking that inspired this action learning initiative.

Header image: Birmingham Museums. A tour at Soho House. Anne Marie Hayes