This is the first in a series of posts outlining the changes that we have made to the Digital Leaders Programme recently.
What’s changed and why ?
Over the past year we’ve taken a fresh look at the Digital Leaders Programme to make sure that it continues to meet the needs of our members. This review has led to a full redesign and an update. One of the biggest shifts has been moving from a thematic approach to a modular structure. This gives participants clearer pathways through the content and makes it easier to choose what’s relevant to their needs which is especially important for our new Reflect and Apply route.
The result is a refreshed programme that now offers two routes:
The Intensive Route
Our established option for those who want to immerse themselves in digital leadership over a concentrated period. Our first refreshed intensive cohort ran in November 2025 bringing together 16 participants from HE and FE.
The energy and collaboration were fantastic. In the words of one of our fabulous participants Aimee Bose Deputy Executive Director of Teaching and Technology South Essex Colleges Group:
One of the things I valued most about the Digital Leaders programme was the rare opportunity to spend meaningful time with like-minded colleagues from across the sector and simply talk things through. There were genuine spaces to discuss, debate, and sometimes thrash out the differences between strategy models in theory and the realities of practice. What stood out most, though, was the emphasis on the human connection that sits at the heart of effective digital leadership and transformation. This felt refreshing and necessary in a space that can so easily become technology led rather than people led ~ Aimee Bose
Reflect and Apply Series
The Reflect and Apply Series (launching March 2026) is the new option. It allows you to complete the programme over a longer timeframe, or cherry-pick the modules that meet your specific needs. Not everyone has the capacity for an intensive programme, and sometimes it can be more helpful to focus on particular challenges rather than the whole landscape.
The choice is yours
Whichever route you choose, the programme covers four core modules:
Foundations of digital leadership
What does digital leadership actually mean? How does it connect to your organisation’s strategy and your own practice?
Understanding approaches to digital transformation
Getting clear on what digital transformation is (and isn’t), and how data and new technologies are reshaping how we work.
Managing change in a digital world
Digital transformation is more about people than technology. This module explores what makes change difficult and how to manage it effectively.
Approaches to digital transformation
A closer look at different ways of working that support ongoing transformation in teams and organisations.
Who’s it for?
The programme is designed for anyone with an interest in digital leadership or digital transformation across further education, higher education, research, independent education, and multi-academy trusts.
Previous participants have included Heads of Digital Learning, Digital Learning Managers, IT Training Leads, Senior Learning Technologists, Curriculum Managers, Project Managers, Professional Development Managers, and Provosts and Directors. If you’re grappling with how to lead digital change in your context, this programme is for you.
How we work
The programme is delivered online using active learning approaches. You’ll have regular opportunities to collaborate, share experiences, and network while engaging in reflective practice. It’s not just about consuming content , it’s about working through challenges together and learning from each other’s contexts.
Want to join the next iteration ?
Our Reflect and Apply series launches in March 2026. Whether you’re looking to develop your digital leadership capacity across all four modules or want to focus on a specific area, we’d love to have you join us. With our new digital credentials framework, you’ll have portable, verifiable recognition of your achievements.
Digital leaders programme- Jisc
In my next post, I’ll share the approach we took to redesign the Digital Leaders Programme using the ABC Learning Design workshop methodology. This will build on the changes introduced in this post, including the shift from our original programme structure and the introduction of the new Reflect and Apply route. .. coming soon