An intimate, cross-sector community that brings together conscious leaders to develop, connect and be inspired.
A trusted space
We provide a trusted professional development space for CEOs and directors to reenergise, reconnect and recharge. Access inspiring speakers and energising peer conversations that bring clarity, spark new ideas and provide thought-provoking insights for you and your teams.
Reenergise
New ideas and inspiring speakers – for thought-provoking insights and a touch of magic
Reconnect
Diverse connections –
for cross-sector learning and fresh networks
Recharge
Thinking and breathing space – for you personally and the business
Curated connection
Building on a 25-year legacy of supporting chief executives and directors, the Academy for Leaders’ experience centres on confidential peer group meetings held in-person across the midlands.
Made up of members from a broad range of non-competing sectors and industries, the group consists of up to 12 people who lead organisations that believe in good.
Inspiration and insights
Providing structure without pressure, meetings are designed for you to access new, and inspiring, speakers in a dedicated, safe space, just for you.
You’ll also find connections become confidantes as you:
Annual membership
Meet the chairs
Lindsey Williams
Co-chair
Lindsey is a bold leader with a passion for helping people to live full, diverse lives with opportunity and choice. She has more than 30 years’ experience working in housing and the charity sector in senior roles as chief executive and a non-executive director.
Lindsey is co-chair of Academy for Leaders – a trusted and inspiring space for leaders, owned by Creative Bridge.
Lindsey is also an experienced NED, chair of Ella Forum, immediate past president of East Midlands Chamber and former group chief executive of Futures Housing Group.
As chief executive of Futures Housing Group for 15 years, Lindsey brought a unique blend of engaging energy and courageous exploration that enabled the group to grow and transform through her purposeful leadership.
She is ambitious for impact, seeing tough challenges as adventures to creating a greater difference. Wherever Lindsey contributes, she creates movement that matters.
Outside of work, her love for adventure is reflected in her enjoyment of worldwide travel. Lindsey finds inspiration in experiencing different cultures and expressions of diversity in people and places.
Her ultimate vision is to leave a legacy of choice; empowering people to live true to who they are and to own their own journey.
Val Hassall
Co-chair
Val is an insightful coach, passionate about helping leaders to find more authenticity, courage and confidence in their leadership and life. With 20 years’ experience of building brands, Val now applies her identity expertise to the space where purpose, profile and personal development align.
Val is co-chair of Academy for Leaders – a trusted and inspiring space for leaders, owned by Creative Bridge.
Val is also an ICF coach, TEDx speaker on ‘The Art of Owning Your Story’, breathwork practitioner, business owner and associate consultant at Creative Bridge.
As a coach she supports ambitious, purpose-driven leaders to build confidence, authority and credibility so they can be better, and create change, for good.
She is also an experienced brand strategist, having helped organisations to shape their identities – both external (purpose, narrative, positioning) and internal (culture, values, behaviours) – for two decades.
Outside of work, you’ll find her playing hard with her kids, wonder-seeking in wellies or exploring new transformational tools she can bring back to clients.
Val believes that when we fully express who we are we create beauty in the world and make more difference to the people around us and the causes we care about.
Her vision is to help conscious leaders to see and be more of themselves in their brands, businesses and beyond.
Lindsey is co-chair of Academy for Leaders – a trusted and inspiring space for leaders, owned by Creative Bridge.
Lindsey is also an experienced NED, chair of Ella Forum, immediate past president of East Midlands Chamber and former group chief executive of Futures Housing Group.
As chief executive of Futures Housing Group for 15 years, Lindsey brought a unique blend of engaging energy and courageous exploration that enabled the group to grow and transform through her purposeful leadership.
She is ambitious for impact, seeing tough challenges as adventures to creating a greater difference. Wherever Lindsey contributes, she creates movement that matters.
Outside of work, her love for adventure is reflected in her enjoyment of worldwide travel. Lindsey finds inspiration in experiencing different cultures and expressions of diversity in people and places.
Her ultimate vision is to leave a legacy of choice; empowering people to live true to who they are and to own their own journey.