In June 2022, as part of our year-long leadership programme Wavelength Connect 2022, we stepped off-grid for an in-person three-day rural retreat at Sheepdrove, a stunning venue set in the midst of hundreds of acres of farmland.

Check out our fabulous photos here…

With thanks to John Owen Photography

Here we focused on our second theme of the programme: Culture & Future Workforce.

The way we work and what we expect from our workplace and from our leaders is changing. While this is not new, the speed of its acceleration is – fuelled by recent seismic shifts and shocks.

We were joined by a group of fascinating leaders, Terri Kelly, former President and CEO, W.L. Gore & Associates (USA), Nick Walkley, Principal and President UK Strategic Advisory, Avison Young & former CEO, Homes England, and Adrian Walcott, Managing Director, Brands With Values, who shared stories and insights on what it takes to lead Culture Transformation, often in the most challenging and complex of circumstances.

We explored the role and responsibility of all leaders to Shape an Inclusive Culture, in conversations that were deeply thought-provoking with Irene Afful, Founder & Director, Ametrine Coaching & Consultancy & former Detective Inspector, Merseyside Police, Steve Ingham, CEO, Page Group, Tunde Banjoko OBE, Founder & CEO, Making the Leap, and Darren Burns, National Recruitment Manager, The Timpson Group & Head of the Timpson Foundation.

​Underpinning all culture is, of course, the leaders at the heart of the business so we were delighted to be joined by Julie Bentley, CEO, Samaritans, Stuart Tootal, former Commander 3 PARA in Afganistan, and Guin Batten, World Rowing – Coastal Rowing Chair who shared honestly and openly the highs, lows, and hard-won lessons from their Personal Leadership journeys, and by Dr Aravind Srinivasan, Director of Projects, Aravind Eye Care System, India, to focus on Personal purpose.

And after so much time online and prompted by the thought-provoking frame work shared by Amanda Scott, Founding Director, Personal Boardroom, there was, of course, maximum opportunity to connect and build networks across the cohort.

About Wavelength Connect

Based on our core belief that leaders learn best from leaders, over 12 months Wavelength Connect equips cohorts of 50 change-makers, from different sectors and industries with the insights, connections and energy to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing the world today.

We are recruiting our next cohort of leaders right now. Click here to find out more.