North of England and Scotland
The challenge of biodiversity decline in the UK demands more than individual or isolated efforts. It calls for unprecedented collaboration.
The aim of these programmes was to develop a cohort of emerging leaders:
Participants share their experience of the programmes and sector leaders explain why the leadership development is a crucial part of the story of restoring nature across the UK.
Common Purpose commissioned independent evaluations of the Nature Recovery Leadership programmes in the North of England and Scotland. These were conducted by Ellie Brodie, Director, Grounded Insight.
feel better prepared to influence beyond their circle of authority
feel more confident in their voice as a leader working in nature recovery
feel that this community will help them to have a greater impact on nature recovery
feel better prepared to work collaboratively
"The Nature Recovery Leadership programme has helped me to recalibrate what effective leadership looks like in the nature recovery space. It has left me feeling better equipped to navigate complex multi-stakeholder settings, which is a must if we are to deliver nature recovery at scale."
"Nature recovery will never be achieved in the UK without involving and discussing food security on an island. The Nature Recovery Programme has provided me as a food producer to make connection within the nature recovery sector. Working together we can produce sustainable food whilst also delivering for nature."
"The one word I'd use to describe the programme is transformational. It’s not just a leadership programme; it’s changing the way you think, work, and collaborate for a greater purpose."
"The Nature Recovery Leadership Programme has succeeded in challenging my assumptions of both my own leadership skills and those more broadly within the conservation sector. This is much needed and I hope it continues to happen."
"Leadership skill is at the heart of tackling our environmental challenges. It is at the heart of how we collaborate and how we build partnerships. Plus we need a broader perspective; to understand the whole system not just our part of it; to see the world through other people’s eyes. That is why a programme like this is so critically important for the regeneration of nature in Scotland and across the UK."
"We can’t regenerate nature without collaboration between people of many different backgrounds and sectors. Collaboration isn’t easy – it is an ability that we learn. This is why Nature North is supporting the Nature Recovery Leadership Programme. It is a great opportunity for emerging leaders across the North to develop that ability and become part of the solution for the recovery of nature."
Thanks to National Lottery Players.
We are also committed to and accountable for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all its forms.
We actively encourage applications from people of all faiths, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, economic circumstances, backgrounds, and those from disabled communities.
If you require adjustments to take part in the application process or to participate in the programme due to a disability, neurodiversity, caring responsibilities, or any other reason, you will be able to provide details in the application form or contact us by phone or email to discuss further.
Yes, if you have any further questions or would just like to discuss the programme in more detail, please reach out to a member of our team in your specific location who would be delighted to help.
The benefits of Common Purpose leadership programmes include gaining increased:
Agility in adapting to changing circumstances and environments.
Empathy to what other people feel, think and need. Seeing things from their point of view.
Influence in leading change with limited decision-making power.
Openness to new ideas, possibilities and perspectives, including views they might deeply disagree with.
Purposefulness in leading with intentionality, determination, commitment and resilience.
Self-awareness to their behaviours and outlook, and how they interpret and respond to situations.
When it comes to learning, there is no substitute for the power of real experience and fresh perspective. Our approach uses a robust behaviour and mindset change philosophy rooted in real life leadership challenges and experiences. To turn those experiences into real learning we follow five tried and tested steps that lead to habitual change in how people think, feel and act.
Experience: Being presented with new experiences. Engaging with leaders across multiple boundaries and being immersed in new environments.
Reflection: Learning activities to gain a deeper and more personalized understanding of the learning.
Translate: Exploring how to relate new ideas and thought processes back into the learner’s role or context.
Practice: Developing a set of leadership practices that can be used to turn new behaviours into habits.
Assess: Embedding numerous assessments to help learners track their progress pre, during and even beyond the programme.
Experiential learning is a core component of our programmes.
Our programmes create a carefully constructed microclimate to explore real-life leadership challenges in a safe environment, often leading to the types of purpose-driven conversations needed to achieve transformative change.
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