Leadership Programme
.png?width=20&height=20&name=Mask%20group%20(4).png){kind=small}
January 2025
Activity
The leadership development programme was ambitious, targeting Welsh Water’s leadership community. Of over 3,500 employees, 20% hold leadership roles. Recognising the logistical challenges of training all leaders within a single year, the programme aimed to train 150 leaders annually. By the beginning of 2025, more than 600 leaders across 56 cohorts had successfully attended the course.
Key components of the programme included:
- Monthly Reporting: Progress was tracked and reported through metrics such as attendance, candidate experience, leadership skill development, and business impact. Insights from these reports allowed for continuous improvement of the programme and identification of potential rising stars within the organisation.
- Training and Coaching Framework: The programme provided a balanced focus on the “why,” “how,” and “what” of leadership. Leaders were trained in both the mechanics and dynamics of change, following a competency framework grounded in Welsh Water’s core values.
- Self-Reflection Portfolios: Candidates compiled portfolios detailing their personal and professional growth, as well as tangible improvements they had implemented, as a requirement for certification.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought unexpected challenges, necessitating a shift from in-person training to a virtual format. This transition demanded rapid adaptation from trainers, coaches, and participants alike. Despite these challenges, the programme maintained its momentum and continued to benefit the organisation.
The Impact
The programme’s ability to foster collaboration among leaders from different parts of the business created a unified leadership culture that empowered individuals to motivate their teams and drive organisational success.
Notable outcomes included:
- Enhanced Leadership Competence: Leaders demonstrated improved capabilities in customer management and adopted daily habits focused on continuous improvement.
- Core Leadership Skills: Leaders developed proficiency in instruction, mentoring and delegation, underpinned by strong communication skills in speaking and listening.
Welsh Water now boasts a cadre of highly skilled leaders equipped to drive meaningful change, ensuring the organisation is well-positioned to meet the needs of its people, customers, and the environment. The programme has not only strengthened the leadership community but has also laid a solid foundation for long-term success.
Showcase your excellence in continuous improvement by applying for the LCS Impact Awards—celebrating initiatives that deliver tangible benefits in quality, cost, or delivery performance while driving meaningful organisational or individual success.
