The Leadership Centre is delighted to be working with Connected Places Catapult this year to deliver the Innovation Places Leadership Academy (IPLA) – an exciting initiative aimed at helping local leaders spark innovation in their regions.
The Academy is all about working together across sectors to make big changes happen at a local level. It focuses on understanding the unique strengths of each place and how to use them to drive economic growth and renewal.
A central premise of the programme is the belief that significant change starts with individual leaders who can galvanise others and inspire action. The IPLA is crafted to support these leaders through hands-on learning and collaboration, helping them to lead transformative change in their communities. Participants will journey alongside a cohort of peers facing similar challenges and gain insights from globally recognised experts in the field.
One of the unique aspects of the IPLA is its strong emphasis on place. This focus ensures that the strategies and solutions developed during the programme are deeply rooted in the local context, making them more effective and sustainable. Leaders will be encouraged to understand their local ecosystems and learn how to harness their unique assets to attract investment, spark innovation, and drive economic growth.
Collaboration is at the heart of the IPLA. The programme brings together leaders from the public, private, and academic sectors within each participating region, fostering a collaborative environment where different perspectives can be shared and integrated. This cross-sector collaboration is crucial for driving innovation-led regional development, as it ensures that all stakeholders are working towards a common goal.
The IPLA also emphasises the importance of systems leadership, equipping participants with the skills needed to navigate complex environments and lead change at different systemic levels. As part of this, the Leadership Centre, drawing on our extensive experience with national programmes like ‘Total Place’ and ’Local Vision’, will provide tailored training and capability-building sessions, which will focus on helping leaders develop the ability to facilitate adaptive change, build a coherent public narrative, and navigate the political landscape.
Throughout the programme, participants will have the chance to engage in regional gatherings to hear from expert contributors, share insights with peers, and showcase their region’s innovation assets. These events are designed to foster relationship-building and create a trusted community of leaders who can support each other in their efforts to drive change.
By the end of the programme, participants will be part of a nationwide network of innovation practitioners, equipped to accelerate regional renewal and prosperity through innovation. We look forward to connecting with some of the participants later in the year to hear more about the impact the IPLA has had on them individually, and across their region. Watch this space!