Dame Mary Marsh
Scheme to develop voluntary sector leaders includes six specialist fellowships
The Clore Social Leadership Programme, set up to develop voluntary sector leaders, opens for applications today.
The programme will recruit up to 20 aspiring leaders for the 2012 programme, which includes residential courses, mentoring, coaching and secondments starting in January.
Candidates will have to demonstrate "notable achievements and leadership potential" as well as a commitment to working in the social sector in the long term.
Applicants must be "working in, or closely with, the social sector as a member of staff or volunteer", as well as being involved in work that significantly benefits people and communities in the UK.
The fellows will each receive a £20,000 bursary or their employers will be given bursaries of up to £15,000 to compensate for the time they spend out of the office.
The programme – which is funded by the Clore Duffield Foundation, the Monument Trust and the Resolution Trust – will include six specialist fellowships in 2012:
- The Gulbenkian Fellowship for an applicant with experience working with young migrants
- The Deloitte Fellowship for an applicant with five years experience of financial responsibilities
- The Nesta Fellowship for someone with a track record in innovative practice
- The Paul Hamlyn Fellowship for a candidate "committed to securing social change"
- The RNIB Fellowship for blind or partially sighted applicants
- The Standard Life Fellowship for an applicant interested in "financial capability" and working with people in the criminal justice system, armed forces or single-parent families.
Fellows from earlier programmes include Kate Lee, chief executive of Myton Hospices, and Caroline Beaumont, director of services and business development at Reach Volunteering.
Dame Mary Marsh, founding director of the programme, said: "As the UK emerges from recession, demand for services grows at the same time as public funding is reduced. This means that there is a greater need than ever for well-run, effective social sector organisations with resilient leaders at the helm, well-equipped to lead their organisations in facing the challenges and opportunities presented."
Candidates can apply online at www.cloresocialleadership.org.uk. The closing date is 2 June.
