Leadership defines an organisation’s strength. When CEOs and executives invest in their own growth, and that of their teams,
they strengthen culture, strategy, and learner outcomes
across every level.”

Dr Katerina Kolyva, CEO, ETF

CEO and Executive Programmes

ETF Leading with Impact


Annual Residential

CEO and Executive cohorts available

Continue your executive development journey. Growing together each year to shape the system and inspire lasting change.

New - 1st delivery in Spring 2026

ETF System Leadership Exchange

Peer Support Networks

CEO and Executive groups available 

Shared challenges, collective wisdom, system-wide solutions. Tackling ‘wicked problems’ together in safe, facilitated spaces.

New - 1st online networks in Winter 2025

CEO Programme


Residential and online

CEO and Principal level 

Gain a deeper understanding of their role as change agents. Apply thinking about leadership in the context as individuals, their organisation and the sector as a whole. Delivered by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE).

Preparing for CEO Programme

Residential and online

Aspiring CEOs

For those preparing to take on the role of CEO to be able to articulate purpose and set vision, think strategically in the short to medium and for the long term. Delivered by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE).

CFO Programme


Online and face-to-face combined learning

For senior finance leaders

Designed to support Finance Directors and CFOs to become more effective strategic business partners within their organisations and to work better with their CEO or Principal to drive strategy forward. Delivered by the ICAEW and commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE).

Supporting partners:

Impact that lasts

ETF’s approach builds confidence, clarity, and community. Through reflective safe spaces and practical insight, leaders sharpen their strategic perspective, influence, and resilience - developing both individual excellence and collective capacity.

Rooted in ETF Professional Standards and supported by the Department for Education, our programmes combine world-class academic partnerships, expert coaching, and peer collaboration to help leaders thrive in complexity and drive meaningful, lasting change.

It's time to think outside the box

ETF CEO Dr Katerina Kolyva talks about her experience at Nescot with CEO Julie Kapsalis, and her continuous push to challenge herself and her colleagues into using wider strategic and systems thinking and going down different development paths.

Read more about Nescot

“The combination of residential modules, application of learning to real-life situations, small tutorials and group discussion was highly stimulating and helpful.”

Amanda Melton CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Nelson and Colne College - CEO Programme

“Well structured course, which provided the opportunity to challenge conventional thinking. Also enabled valuable networking with sector colleagues.”

Jatinder Sharma, Principal and Chief Executive, Walsall College

Professional Standards at the core

All ETF programmes are underpinned by ETF Professional Leadership Standards, providing a national framework for excellence, a common language and coherence in leadership development.

Explore the Professional Standards

Need a different development programme?

Looking for whole-organisational support?

Explore our ETF Leadership Pathway programme offer which provides a connected, evidence-based journey for aspiring, middle, and senior leaders. 

Are you a Governor or board member?

Take a look at our Governance Development Programme supporting governors and board members looking to strengthen strategy, assurance, and performance - aligning governance with mission and impact.

Funding by the Department for Education (DfE).

Need more support with the leadership offer?

Contact the leadership team via email below for more detailed support.