MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: CLP AND ASHRIDGE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Cultural Leadership Programme is teaming up with Ashridge Business School to help senior executives stay ahead in tough times.

A free ‘taster day’ is being held on Saturday 20 February 2010.

Chief Executives and Directors at the top of the UK’s advertising, broadcasting, design, film, gaming and music industries are being offered bespoke leadership development from the Cultural Leadership Programme (CLP).

Advanced Leadership in the Creative Industries (ALCI) 2010 is an innovative and intensive programme, developed by Ashridge, one of the world’s leading business in partnership with the Cultural Leadership Programme and key creative industry advisory bodies.

Grounded in reality and supported by the latest academic thinking, with expert guest speakers and relevant case studies, ALCI 2010 is specifically designed for senior executives who lead creative businesses. It offers leaders the chance to enhance their own leadership capability, and understand how to steer and advance their organisation in a rapidly changing environment.

CLP is hosting a free taster day at Ashridge on Saturday 20 February (10am – 3pm), for people considering applying for ALCI 2010. The session will bring the Ashridge experience alive and features sample teaching sessions and discussions, a tour of Ashridge’s extensive facilities and a Q&A panel with invited speakers from the creative industries, programme leaders and ALCI 2009 alumni.

David Kershaw, Chief Executive of M&C Saatchi and Chair of the Cultural Leadership Programme, said: “The creative industries are changing fast and are collectively equivalent to around 8% of the UK economy. It is therefore crucial that those at the top have the ability to compete in the global market place, especially in turbulent times.

“After the successful pilot in 2009, we’re delighted to be working in partnership with Ashridge Business School once again. Participants will gain an invaluable understanding of the commonality of their respective creative industries and the leadership challenges they face as well as developing and enhancing their leadership knowledge and capacity.”

And, Kai Peters, Chief Executive of Ashridge added: “Ashridge is delighted to be working with eminent leaders from the creative industries in this unique collaboration with the Cultural Leadership Programme. The ALCI programme aims to cultivate all-round talent, incorporating creativity, leadership and management capacity and aims to foster the success of the creative industries during the current turbulent times, and beyond".

ALCI 2009 participant Dominic McGonical, Director of Government Relations at PPL/VPL, said: “Creative businesses are the same as other businesses, but different. This programme totally gets that."

And Dan Clays, MD of BLM Quantum, added: “The ALCI course not only helps reinforce the critical aspects of leadership, but also how creativity in your approach and in the culture of your business is fundamental to growth.”

ALCI 2010 takes place over four modules between April and July. The course is led by Ashridge faculty members Jon Teckman, Angela Whelan and Lucy Kung, who all have extensive experience in the cultural sectors and creative industries, as well as in the public and private sectors. They will be supported by specialist tutors from Ashridge and top speakers from across the creative industries.

The programme is open to creative senior executives who:

- can demonstrate a proven track record in the creative industries at a senior level (a minimum of five years)

- ideally have been working at a senior level at more than one company

- are experiencing a broad range of leadership challenges in their current role

ALCI 2010 programme totals nine full days, consisting of four two-day residential modules at Ashridge’s campus and one inter-modular day in London.

The deadline for applications is Thursday 18 March 2010.

To apply, or to reserve a place on the taster day (20 February), visit the cultural leadership website here.