The Stonewall LGBTQ+ Leadership Programme

As LGBTQ+ leaders we know the impact our identity has on our leadership. We also often feel a drive to create more inclusive workplaces. This leadership programme provides you with a space to nurture your leadership development, grow your confidence and build a supportive network of peers.  

Developed by and for LGBTQ+ leaders, the programme balances expertise and peer learning. It'll support you, alongside 25 leaders from a wide range of organisations in developing the skills, confidence, and network to reach your potential at work. 

What will I get from the Leadership Programme?

This 6 month programme kicks off with a 2.5 day retreat in January 2026. We’ll leave behind the everyday of work to create a safe and supportive space to learn and share expertise.  

After the retreat, you’ll be invited to join 3 online skill shares on topics chosen by the group. These interactive sessions, facilitated by Stonewall and expert speakers, will take place between February and May.  

The programme will round off with an in-person reconnection event over the summer to celebrate, reflect and address challenges collectively.  

LGBTQ+ Leadership Programme objectives

This programme has existed for over 20 years. In this time, it’s grown and changed with new generations of leaders. It’s now the only programme that gives you the chance to:

• Reflect on the importance of your LGBTQ+ identity and the value it creates in your leadership practice
• Explore Stonewall’s theory of authentic leadership, identifying how it can support you to lead intentionally.  
• Understand more about what drives you and how to map your continued leadership development with key skills including coaching, networking and reflective practice.
• Consider what it means to be an inclusive leader, acting in solidarity to create more inclusive workplaces.  
• Develop a supportive network of LGBTQ+ leaders to share in the powerful impact of collaboration and knowledge sharing.  

If this sounds like a programme for you, please submit your application

Who should attend?  

This programme is open to both aspiring and existing LGBTQ+ leaders. Leadership looks different in every organisation, many of us are leaders in our network groups, and some leadership positions can be inaccessible to LGBTQ+ people. There’s no set level or type of leadership you have to achieve in order to access the programme.  

How do I apply?  

To be considered for a place on this year’s programme, please complete this application form. If you need to complete this in a different format, please email us: empowerment@stonewall.org.uk.  

The application form will ask you more about your approach to leadership, what you’re hoping to get from the programme and what you’ll bring to the group. 

We particularly welcome applications from people who are underrepresented in LGBTQ+ leadership, including People of Colour, trans people, working class people and people with disabilities. We take steps to ensure that the programme is an inclusive, safe and welcoming space for more marginalized members of our community.  

Applications are now open and will close on 30 November 2025. All candidates will hear back from us by mid-December. We’d suggest applying as early as possible to secure your place.  

Cost of Stonewall’s LGBTQ+ Leadership Programme

Proud Employers get discounted places at this event:  

• Non-Member Rate: £3,000 (+VAT)
• Private Sector Proud Employer Rate: £2,500 (+VAT)
• Public/Third Sector Proud Employer Rate: £2,000 (+VAT)  

The cost includes food and accommodation for the retreat as well as access to three skill shares and an in-person reunion event. Travel costs are not included. If you need support securing funding for this programme we’ve prepared a business case you can share with your employer. Click here to download. 

We know that additional barriers to leadership exist for some members of our community and that some of us face greater challenges in accessing budgets for personal development. This year, thanks to the generosity of the UPS Foundation we are pleased to be offering a number of bursaries for Trans and Non-Binary people as well as LGBTQ+ PoC (people of colour). If you would like to apply for one of these bursary places, please indicate this on your application. The bursary covers the full cost of the programme excluding travel costs, if travel costs present a barrier to your attendance please email the team. Please also use this email address for any questions relating to these bursaries.

What to expect: Leadership Programme agenda

• December 2025: Learning set calls 
  Your learning set facilitator will give you a quick call to tell you more about the programme, answer any questions and understand your goals for the coming 6 months.  
   
• 14-16 January 2026: Retreat
  • Day 1 (afternoon): Focusses on developing connections among the group of leaders to build the foundations of a strong network.
  • Day 2: We reflect on our own leadership journey, what drives us, how we show up authentically and how to continue to develop.
  • Day 3:  We look more externally, considering how we influence and shape the workplace around us and developing key skills in order to use this influence effectively.
     
• February-May 2026: Skillshares 
  The themes for 3 digital skillshares will be selected by the group during the retreat. Stonewall’s content design team will then work with expert speakers to shape interactive 90-minute workshops on the key topics you’d like to know more about.  
   
• June/July 2026: Reconnection 
  For the final part of the programme, we’ll come together again to reflect on what we’ve learnt and find collective solutions to remaining or new challenges. This will be a supportive and affirming space to share openly with one another and set the foundations for the continued development of the network. We’ll also make time to celebrate together as we close off the programme.  

Access Statement  

We take access and inclusion seriously at all of our events. A full access statement for this event will be published here soon. If you have any questions about the accessibility of the programme in the meantime, please get in touch with empowerment@stonewall.org.uk.