Overview
WiL is a six-month programme. Through workshops, peer learning, personal assessments and one-on-one coaching or mentoring, participants will learn the essential skills, capabilities and behaviours to harness their personal strengths and translate them into a unique and powerful leadership style that can thrive in any environment. The programme structure allows participants the time and space to focus, reflect, and practise while performing their daily duties.
WiL gives participants the unique opportunity to be mentored by an experienced finance leader from a large listed or private company. Our mentors have been selected for their extensive business experience, leadership capability and commitment to people development.
This programme will give you 51 CPD hours in total.
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Key details
- Duration: 6 months
- Location: London and online
- Date: May 2025
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Participant profile
Women typically in or aiming for senior management, partner or board roles. Participants can work across practice, industry and public sector.
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360 assessment
Participants will complete the CliftonStrengths online 360 assessment. Afterwards, they will receive a personalised results report that highlights their natural strengths and how they can develop them further to maximise role performance.
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Practical workshops
WiL workshops simulate the core challenges leaders face, enabling participants to prepare and practice in a consequence-free environment.
There are five workshops:
- Maximise engagement, performance and understanding of others
- Influence your businesses agenda and culture
- Lead with impact and presence
- Be a successful influencer and innovator in your organisation
- Reflect and visualise your future and overcome any leadership obstacle
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Peer learning groups
Throughout the programme, participants will share their challenges with their peers in a confidential, supportive environment. Their peers will provide them with insightful, objective viewpoints that will allow them to tackle the problem from a different perspective.
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External input from C-suite experts
Throughout the programme participants will learn from CFOs/ CEOs/ COOs across various industries. Our C-suite experts will share their experiences and examples of how they have overcome some of the challenges participants will face in their career.
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Personal one to one guidance from a professional coach or mentor
Participants will have six 90-minute sessions booked around their schedule with an experienced coach or mentor throughout the programme.
These professionals are there to impart their invaluable wisdom and help participants navigate current and future work challenges.
Participants will choose who they partner with, with the guidance of the ICAEW programme manager.
Mentors and coaches
Below is just a small sample of the high-calibre coaches and mentors available on the WiL programme. Participants choose who they want to partner with on their WiL journey.
Carla has over 14 years' experience in the banking and retail industries. As a former COO at Virgin Group and a deputy CFO at Barclays' Global Retail and Commercial Bank, Carla led on corporate finance & post-merger integrations, strategy, business operations and business transformation. She now runs a strategic consultancy business, MCS Advisory Ltd and is a board member of many well-known organisations.
Cath is an ICF accredited executive coach and development consultant with over 20 years’ experience specialising in authentic leadership, relationship skills and developing self-awareness to create a positive impact. She has worked with a diverse range of clients from blue-chip companies, high profile charities, universities and multi-national banks. Before coaching, Cath worked at PwC for six years.
Jo is a highly experienced leadership coach and mentor, having worked with many individuals from more than 120 organisations, including leading global corporates, UK SMEs and start-up ventures, and public sector bodies. Before coaching, Jo’s career ran over 25 years in leadership roles as COO, GM, MD, Head of Sales and Marketing, and HRD roles. She has worked for British Airways, 3i, Coutts Consultancy and Right Management.
Eilish has a phenomenal record of coaching women in leadership and executive roles, those with C-suite titles and those considering board positions. She works with a diverse range of financial and professional services organisations. In addition to her coaching business, Eilish is a NED at Sport England, the Financial Reporting Council, and Plan UK. Before coaching, Eilish worked for 12 years at Goldman Sachs.
Benefits for organisations
- Strengthen your understanding of leadership strengths and how to drive your team to success
- Retain top-performing female talent and demonstrate a commitment to promoting women within the business
- Attract, retain, and develop finance talent
- Drive operational efficiency by bringing new ideas back into the business
- Implement succession plans and promote future business leaders
Benefits for participants
- Strengthen your communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders
- Gain a network of like-minded individuals who are facing or have faced the challenges your experiencing
- Understand your leadership style and strengths and how to maximise these within your position
- Boost your visibility and build your presence in your organisation
- Become a role model for other women in business
An interview with a WiL graduate
Read the experience of Jo Clube, Head of Technical Accounting at Aviva, on why she enrolled on WiL.
An interview with a WiL graduate
Read the experience of Diana MacDuff, Head of Business Development at British Sugar, on why she enrolled on WiL.
An interview with a WiL graduate
Read the experience of Emma Read, Group Accounting at PD Ports, on why she enrolled on WiL.
Testimonials
A fantastic programme covering everything from presence and impact, strength building and taking your career forward. My head is a buzz with next steps. I was honoured to be surrounded by an incredible cohort who have supported and coached each other throughout making it an unforgettable experience.
