Leadership programmes

We run a number of structured programmes for managers. In addition to the wide range of courses available within each business, we also host:

Forum, a three day event for around 100 of our talented managers each year

The Emerging Leaders Programme, a development programme for Forum alumni

The Senior Leadership Masterclasses, a suite of three workshops for our most senior leaders

The Speakers Series, a number of region-specific seminars for our Masterclass and Forum alumni with invited guest speakers

Forum celebrates its tenth year in 2009 and has brought together over 1,000 managers since it began. Every year, a different group of managers come together to debate the big issues that face Pearson and work on specific business challenges. Participants hear from leaders inside and outside Pearson to understand more about our marketplace and the range of opportunities (and challenges) that we face. They also focus on a specific problem which is directly relevant to the part of the business in which they work, before presenting their recommendations to the CEO and her team.

The Emerging Leaders Programme is a cross-Pearson course run for managers who are just making the transition into leadership positions. It explores the different aspects of being a leader, including gaining more awareness of how others perceive us, how to manage a team, and how to help implement change. It is run in three modules over three months and includes the opportunity to work together outside the formal “classroom” time. In 2009, we are running ELP across three continents.

The Senior Leadership Masterclasses are designed for our most senior Pearson leaders and address a range of different topics. Insights into Leadership is for teams to work on their individual leadership style and their leadership agenda as a team. Its aim is to help senior teams make a step change in how they work together. The Strategy & Finance Masterclass gives participants insight into their strategic opportunities as a business and the impact they can have as leaders of a business to the financial success of the company. And finally, Your People Your Future is a masterclass to help teams become even more confident and competent at maximising the performance and potential of their people.

The Speaker Series is a set of ad hoc breakfast and day time sessions where invited speakers address a variety of subjects. The aim is to stimulate debate and help leaders broaden their thinking as Pearson leaders and members of society. Over the years, participants have heard from academics and storytellers on topics from creativity, to China, to Africa and back.