Future Leaders Spotlight Taster Event - Leeds University Business School

Join us at Leeds University Business School for an interactive and practical session where you will network, learn, and connect with fellow SME leaders and facilitators of our new .

The Future Leaders Programme is designed for emerging and future leaders working in SMEs or larger businesses from any sector, with up to three years managerial experience. These individuals are currently in, or soon to enter, roles with leadership or management responsibilities over people or resources and are the driving force behind growth — eager to develop the skills, confidence, and strategic mindset to lead with impact.

This session is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Future Leaders Programme, take part in an interactive taster activity, meet our experts who will be leading on the programme and network with like-minded emerging leaders. Both prospective applicants and their employers are welcome to attend this session.

This event is not open to students and is an in-person only event.

3.45-4.00pm

• Registration & Refreshments

4.00-5.00pm

• Introduction
• Workshop Taster Activity
• Overview of Future Leaders
• Q&A

5.00-6.00pm

• Networking

, Associate Professor,
Rebecca Padgett is an energetic, learner-focused educator dedicated to uniting, equipping and inspiring current and future leaders. Her work bridges the gap between academia and industry, with a focus on enterprise, innovation and growth, employability, and experiential learning.

With extensive experience leading undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education, Rebecca has overseen programmes ranging from small specialist modules to large, multi-campus cohorts. She was one of only two academics globally selected to deliver leadership training for the FIFA World Cup 2021 and served as Academic Programme Director for the £3 million WYCA Innovative Entrepreneurs Programme.

Before academia, Rebecca held senior consultancy roles across the sports, leisure and hospitality sectors, operating at board and ministerial levels. She is known for her collaborative, results-driven leadership style—and for bringing energy, purpose and a sense of fun to every challenge.

, Founder and MD,
Jo Smith is a highly qualified and experienced executive coach, with a background in HR and business leadership. She holds a BSc in Economics, a degree in Psychology, a PGCE, and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD as well as a member of the BPS. Jo is a long-standing leading member of the Association for Coaching being an Accredited Master Executive Coach and Accredited Master Coach Supervisor.
Jo has held several senior positions in the corporate world including being a HR Director at Arla Foods and has a proven track record of working with senior leaders from a variety of sectors, including high performance sport, leading global academic institutions, owner entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses across public and private sector clients.
As a highly qualified and experienced executive coach, Jo has vast experience of working with owner entrepreneurs from Start-Up to £100m turnover, with the skills and knowledge to guide her clients to success and in 2023, she won the national Help to Grow Mentoring Award for Innovation. Her extensive experience is underpinned by her academic background, and commitment to professional development, her executive coaching clients are guaranteed the best possible support and guidance on their journeys.

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Host or Publisher Leeds University Business School