School for CEOs provided an invaluable career inflection point for me as a business leader – the programme offered a potent cocktail (equal parts inspiration, wisdom and challenge) to really stress-test my appetite and confidence around an executive role.

Prior to attending the Vital Few programme in 23/24, I had been fortunate enough to benefit from executive coaching in a number of blue-chip retail organisations including Tesco PLC. There are three key dimensions which set aside School for CEOs for me versus what is already out there for senior leaders:

Return on time invested:

I was cynical on the learning leaps possible in just a few days but walked away feeling like I had benefited from a brilliantly edited multi-year MBA programme, focused squarely around ‘CEO finishing’ school.

 Augmented reality:

It was incredibly invaluable being able to see, hear and feel leadership lessons gained by an impressive cross-industry faculty of business leaders and coaches. Every speaker was very clearly handpicked for each module, armed with relevant war stories and pearls of wisdom which cut through for a very diverse group of attendees.

Insight on personal impact:

There was a genuine 360 focus on understanding the shadows we cast externally as leaders (and internal mind talk), with multiple opportunities to pinpoint and practice a range of self-improvements we could all make immediately.

Since attending the School for CEOs programme, I have been a staunch advocate to my network of retailers and peer groups. Retail is a hugely multi-specialist environment and incredibly people-oriented and it is no mean feat to develop leadership coaching which prepares individuals to become more comfortable being a ‘generalist’ and ready to lead retail organisations through transformation. 

David Sole and team have created something very special, which does this brilliantly and continually improves as the programmes evolve each year. I am incredibly grateful for the impact the team made in my journey as a retail leader.