The Association of Chief Executives (ACE) and Nous Group are delighted to announce that we are now accepting registrations for the 2026 New & Aspirant CEO Masterclass series. The programme will take place across three half-day sessions, held in person at Institute for Government (London) on 10 June, 08 July and 09 September 2026.
With our largest and most diverse cohort to date, the 2025 masterclass series wrapped up in September. A joint initiative of ACE and Nous Group, the series ran from June to September 2025. This year’s series saw 23 new and aspiring chief executives of public bodies gain not only valuable skills and confidence to strengthen their leadership at UK arm’s-length bodies (ALBs), but also the opportunity to establish relationships with a peer support network of likeminded people.
What is the New & Aspirant CEO Masterclass?
The Association of Chief Executives is pleased to partner again with Nous Group for the 2026 New & Aspirant CEO Masterclass series.
We are pleased to continue our partnership with Nous Group for 2026 to offer this unique masterclass series focused on public body leadership for new and future Chief Executives. This is an exclusive development opportunity for those who wish to expand their horizons, and emerge with confidence into the role of an ALB Chief Executive.
The New & Aspirant CEO Masterclass is a tailored series that follows the joint report The CEO in Government – Leading ALBs well, which includes a foundational competency framework for ALB leadership.
Across three half-day, in-person masterclasses, the topics covered are: understanding the CEO in government, navigating the stakeholder landscape, and leading through crisis and change.
The events encompass four learning objectives:
- Go deep into the nuances of chief executives’ unique role and responsibilities within public bodies.
- Explore and develop the unique skills and effective practices needed for public body leadership.
- Strengthen and extend CEOs peer networks to provide support, resilience and a sounding board for the future.
- Learn from seasoned CEO experts – their successes and their challenges in the public body context.
Ahead of the programme, participants are supported by self-assessment and review with facilitators to identify areas of individual leadership development focus.
Download the 2026 briefing pack here.
Why sign up for the New & Aspirant CEO Masterclass?
Peter Horne from Nous speaks with Lisa Pinney MBE, CEO of the Mining Remediation Authority, at the third session of the 2025 masterclass series.
Our masterclass is a unique opportunity for public sector leaders to develop into the leaders they wish to be, and cultivate a supportive and engaged peer network.
The masterclass cohort alumni is a robust network of past participants and speakers. To aid maintaining relationships and mentoring, ACE and Nous host cohort dinners across the year for participants to come together and continue the conversation.
Each session features expert facilitators and a roster of guest speakers from across the public sector landscape. We would like to thank the speakers for 2025, who so generously gave us their time:
- David Foley, Interim CEO, Infected Blood Compensation Authority
- Vicky Fox, UK Supreme Court
- Nicola McQueen, CEO, NHS Professionals
- Lisa Pinney MBE, CEO, Mining Remediation Authority
- Natalie Prosser, CEO, Office for Environmental Protection
- Vijay Rangarajan, CEO, The Electoral Commission
- Alex Thomas, Programme Director (Civil Service), Institute for Government
(Speakers for 2026 will be announced in the coming months.)
The feedback from masterclass participants continues to be extremely positive: 100 per cent of participants said they would recommend the masterclass series to their peers; 92 per cent said the series had helped them to understand more of what it takes to be effective in a public body leadership role; and 86 per cent said the series had improved their confidence in their leadership skills and approach.
Here is a sample of what the 2025 cohort had to say:
“Excellent networking, great peer group and insightful and experienced speakers.”
“Great course – a really fantastic range of CEO speakers sharing their insights, advice, experiences and wisdom.”
“Thank you for a terrific course and opportunity for stimulating discussion with remarkable people.”
Secure your place today
The 2026 masterclass series will be delivered on the following dates:
- Wednesday 10 June 2026
- Wednesday 08 July 2026
- Wednesday 09 September 2026, with a networking dinner to follow
Cost: There is a programme fee of £2,000 per participant (non-vatable) for ACE/PCF members. The programme fee for non-members is £2500 (non-vatable)
Registration: Click here to confirm your place in next year’s masterclass series. Registration closes on 31 March 2026.
Questions? Download the 2026 briefing pack here or direct any questions to the ACE Secretariat here: secretariat@associationofchiefexecutives.org.uk
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