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Leadership Development Programmes

Finance professionals are stepping into leadership earlier. Our programmes build practical behaviours that strengthen confidence, communication and decision‑making across the finance function.

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Overview

Strong leadership is central to the performance and resilience of any finance team. Yet many professionals step into leadership roles before they’ve had the chance to develop the behaviours needed to guide teams, manage stakeholders and make confident decisions.

ICAEW Academy’s programmes provide practical, structured development that supports learners throughout their career, helping them communicate clearly, collaborate effectively and lead with confidence. For organisations, this builds stronger teams, reduces leadership risk and supports long-term succession planning.

A clear leadership pathway

From emerging leaders to future CFOs, our programmes provide structured development that grows with your people:

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Developing Leadership in Practice (DLiP™)

Designed for emerging leaders who are stepping into responsibility in practice. DLiP™ helps learners build practical leadership behaviours, clearer communication, stronger collaboration and more confident decision making, improving day to day team performance. It’s a foundation for those beginning to lead people, projects or client work.

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CFO Programme (F-TEN®)

Designed for future CFOs and senior finance executives. F-TEN® develops board level thinking, strategic influence and executive presence. Learners explore real world leadership challenges, strengthen decision-making at scale and build the confidence needed to operate effectively at the highest levels of the organisation.

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Network of Finance Leaders (NFL)

For experienced finance leaders preparing to take on broader responsibility. NFL focuses on leading teams, shaping performance and managing senior level relationships. Learners build the behaviours needed to guide people effectively, drive collaboration and contribute more confidently to organisational strategy.

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Women in Leadership (WiL)

Created for senior women who want to strengthen their influence and strategic impact. WiL develops confidence, presence and leadership clarity, helping learners navigate complex environments, lead with authenticity and build strong networks that support long-term career progression.

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What learners gain

  • Clearer communication and stronger stakeholder relationships
  • More confident decision‑making in complex environments
  • Improved collaboration across teams and service lines
  • Greater self‑awareness and leadership consistency
  • Practical behaviours that support long‑term career progression

What organisations gain

  • Reduced leadership risk at promotion
  • Stronger team performance and engagement
  • A more confident pipeline of future managers and finance leaders
  • Leadership capability that supports long‑term organisational resilience

What our learners say

This was not a traditional course as it was designed to make you stop and think about your thoughts and behaviour. Not just by the course lecturers, but by mentors, peer learning groups and actors.

NFL graduate

The programme has given me the confidence to lead! With an eight to nine months duration, it’s a course where you can learn and reflect, and then have the time to consolidate your learnings.

F-TEN® graduate

One of the most beneficial aspects was hearing the experiences and perspectives of others on the programme, as well as their contributions to the various scenarios and discussions explored throughout the course.

DLiP™ graduate

The facilitators were all fantastic and really engaging on their specific topics and having access to a coach or mentor is a unique opportunity from a course of this type too.

WiL graduate

In-house delivery

All programmes can be delivered in-house, tailored to your organisation’s leadership challenges and talent pipeline.

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Want to know more?

Discover the full range of ICAEW Academy learning, from technical CPD and data skills to leadership development and in-house training.

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