Clore Social Leadership Programmes
About this Programme
Leadership development programmes for people working towards positive social change, from emerging leaders to senior social impact professionals.
Paid-for training
Programme type
Applications Close
Hybrid; Oxford
Location
Facilitated By
Clore Social Leadership
We develop leaders with a social purpose so that they can transform their communities organisations and the world around them. We help make social change happen by supporting and investing in people and enabling them to become leaders with the resilience self-awareness and capabilities to tackle the social challenges of the 21st century.
About us
Experts in Social Leadership
Established in 2008, Clore Social Leadership has set the standard for leadership development in the social sector. We share the same values and have a comprehensive understanding of sector needs.
World class practitioners
We engage world class practitioners to deliver high quality programmes, events and research, empowering individuals to deliver real social change and transform the sector through positive and successful leadership.
Our values
Lifelong leadership development
Our Fellowship community is home to some of the sector’s most talented leaders, providing access to a rich source of shared knowledge, expertise and inspiration. We believe in the transformative power of peer-to-peer networks and their ability to encourage cross-sector partnerships and learning. All individuals who successfully complete our Emerging Leader and Experienced Leader Programmes are awarded the Clore Social Fellowship Award and invited to participate in our Fellowship community, enabling them to continue their lifelong leadership journey, enhancing their impact and unlocking their potential.
What we value in our employees:
- courage – embrace risk and innovation with gritty determination and resilience
- passion – commit to outcomes with drive, zeal and collective action
- diversity – secure access and inclusion with celebration of diversity
- respect – seek social justice with openness, trust and sharing of learning and knowledge
- focus – demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness and be evident champions of change, delivery and positive impact
Why are we exciting?
Committed to excellence
Those on our programmes consistently rate their experience with us as excellent or outstanding, with 93% going on to lead more effectively. We evaluate our programmes annually, using participant feedback and the latest insights from the sector to comprehensively review and update programme content. This enables us to equip participants with leading industry tools and insights and ensure learning is responsive to the sector’s continuously evolving needs.
Accessible, interactive learning
Our programmes are designed to be interactive and are not classroom format. We continuously seek to improve outcomes by enabling participants to tailor content around their existing commitments, using the latest e-learning technology to improve learning outcomes.
Accelerated Development
Our Social Capabilities Framework enables individuals to select programmes and training most suited to their current needs. This enables learning outcomes and behaviours to be quickly and effectively applied.
About the Programme
Leadership development for people working towards social change
Clore Social Leadership runs leadership development programmes for people working across the social purpose sector, from emerging leaders stepping into more responsibility to senior leaders shaping strategy, systems and impact.
Their 2026 programmes are designed to help you build practical leadership skills, strengthen your confidence, grow your network and lead change more effectively in real-world social purpose settings.
Whether you’re leading projects, teams, organisations or wider social change, Clore offers a structured way to develop your leadership alongside others committed to positive impact.
Why Clore Social Leadership?
For over 15 years, Clore Social Leadership has supported thousands of social leaders to develop the skills, confidence and networks needed to lead meaningful change.
Their programmes combine expert-led learning, peer support, coaching, residential elements and practical tools you can apply directly to your work. The focus is not leadership in theory. It’s about helping you lead with more clarity, confidence and impact in the real conditions of social purpose work.
Which Clore programme is right for you?
Clore Social Leadership has three open programmes for 2026. Each is designed for a different stage of leadership, so the best place to start is by choosing the one that matches your current responsibilities, experience and ambitions.
If you’re stepping into leadership, start with Emerging Leader.
If you’re already making strategic decisions, explore Experienced Leader.
If you’re a senior leader or changemaker looking to accelerate your impact at a national or global level, look at Leading Social Impact.
Emerging Leader
For budding social purpose leaders ready to grow their skills, confidence and impact.
Emerging Leader is a hybrid programme for people stepping into leadership and ready to take their skills to the next level. It brings together peers who are passionate about social change and keen to develop the confidence, knowledge and networks needed to lead projects, people and positive change more effectively.
It’s a strong fit if you have at least three years of leadership experience, paid or voluntary, and are leading projects, teams, volunteers or departments within or alongside a social purpose organisation.
The programme is certified by The Institute of Leadership.
Best for: Managers, project managers, team leaders, senior managers, Heads of, and people with around 3+ years’ leadership experience.
Dates: October 2026 to May 2027
Format: Online and in-person learning
Time commitment: 10 days
Early Bird deadline: Friday 17 July 2026
Final application deadline: Friday 31 July 2026
Fees: £1,995 Early Bird / £2,595 Full Price
You’ll develop practical leadership skills, increased self-awareness, confidence in your leadership style, tools to improve project and team performance, and a peer network of people also working towards social change.
Register your interest in Emerging Leader
Join the Emerging Leader webinar
Experienced Leader
For strategic leaders in the social purpose sector who want to strengthen their capability and drive sustainable impact.
Experienced Leader is a hybrid programme for senior leaders who are passionate about social change and using their leadership to help build a more inclusive and equitable society.
Running from September 2026 to April 2027, the programme supports leaders to explore the relational, strategic and systemic factors that shape effective leadership. It’s designed for people already making strategic decisions, leading teams or programmes, influencing organisational direction or navigating complex social purpose work.
The programme is certified by The Institute of Leadership.
Best for: Directors, Chief Executives, Heads of, senior managers, strategic decision makers, and people with around 6+ years’ leadership experience.
Dates: September 2026 to April 2027
Format: Online and in-person learning
Time commitment: Around 9 days
Early Bird deadline: Friday 17 July 2026
Final application deadline: Friday 31 July 2026
Fees: £2,395 Early Bird / £2,995 Full Price
You’ll develop greater confidence in your leadership, tools to improve organisational effectiveness, practical learning you can apply straight away, stronger resilience and wellbeing, and a peer community of senior leaders facing similar challenges.
Register your interest in Experienced Leader
Join the Experienced Leader webinar
Leading Social Impact
For senior leaders and changemakers looking to accelerate their social impact through an Oxford-based residential programme.
Leading Social Impact is a collaboration between New College, University of Oxford, The Gradel Institute of Charity and Clore Social Leadership.
Running from September to December 2026, the programme offers social purpose leaders from around the world an opportunity to accelerate their impact through a curriculum that blends practical strategy with academic excellence.
The programme begins with a four-day, three-night residential at the University of Oxford, followed by online sessions and a celebration event in London. Participants learn from global experts, build relationships with peers in social leadership and leave with practical toolkits and frameworks they can apply within their organisations.
Participants receive a certificate from New College, University of Oxford, in collaboration with The Gradel Institute of Charity and Clore Social Leadership.
Best for: Senior leaders, professionals and changemakers leading projects, teams, organisations, businesses or communities with social impact.
Dates: September 2026 to December 2026
Residential: University of Oxford, Monday 21 September to Thursday 24 September 2026
Format: Four-day Oxford residential, online sessions and London celebration event
Time commitment: Around 7 days
Early Bird deadline: Wednesday 15 July 2026
Final application deadline: Monday 17 August 2026
Fees: £3,550 Early Bird / £3,950 Full Fee
Includes: Three-night single occupancy accommodation at the University of Oxford residential, plus breakfast, lunch and two dinners. Participants cover their own travel.
You’ll develop strategic thinking for greater impact, ethical decision-making, financial management and impact assessment skills, insight into governance and innovative financial models, and a global peer network of social leaders.
Apply for Leading Social Impact
Register your interest in Leading Social Impact
Join a Leading Social Impact webinar
Not sure where to start?
Choose Emerging Leader if you’re stepping into leadership and want to grow your confidence, self-awareness and practical leadership skills.
Choose Experienced Leader if you’re already leading teams, programmes or strategy, and want to strengthen your ability to navigate complexity and drive sustainable impact.
Choose Leading Social Impact if you’re working at a senior level and want a more intensive Oxford-based experience focused on strategy, innovation, ethical decision-making and wider social impact.
Ready to choose your Clore programme?
Explore the programme that best matches your current leadership stage, experience and ambitions.
Whether you’re stepping into leadership, strengthening your strategic capability or looking to accelerate your social impact at a senior level, Clore Social Leadership offers a structured way to develop your practice alongside others working towards positive change.
Apply for Leading Social Impact
Or, if you’re not quite ready to apply:
Programme FAQs
All your questions should be answered here.
Start with your current level of leadership experience and responsibility. Emerging Leader is for budding leaders with at least three years of leadership experience. Experienced Leader is for strategic decision makers, often with six or more years of leadership experience. Leading Social Impact is for senior leaders, professionals and changemakers looking to accelerate their impact at a national or global level.
No. Clore’s programmes are open to people working for or with organisations that have a social purpose. This can include charities, social enterprises, CICs, CSR departments, public service, responsible businesses, community organisations and other impact-led work.
All three programmes include a mix of learning formats. Emerging Leader and Experienced Leader are hybrid programmes with online learning and some in-person elements. Leading Social Impact includes a four-day residential at the University of Oxford, online sessions and a celebration event in London.
Yes. Applications are assessed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis, and places are limited. Clore recommends applying as soon as possible if you are interested.
Yes. Clore is running programme webinars where you can hear more about the content, outcomes and participant experience, with time to ask questions.
Applications are managed by Clore Social Leadership. Use the links on this page to apply, register your interest or join a webinar for the programme that feels most relevant to you.