Our Responsible Leadership course delivers a short, intensive reset for leaders who want to lead with integrity and purpose.
A 2.5-day course, delegates will develop their understanding of principles of responsible leadership as well as apply them in real-world, cross-sector contexts.
In an increasingly complex, interconnected world, our intensive course enables experienced leaders to strengthen their ethical awareness, strategic judgement and inclusive practice, to continue to lead responsibly.
Our course will take place at our RAU Cirencester campus in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Who is the course suitable for?
- Middle and senior-level managers and executives, seeking to strengthen their responsible leadership capabilities
- Leaders across corporate, public, and non-profit sectors, tasked with embedding ESG (Environmental Social and Governance), EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), and wellbeing principles into practice
- Professionals preparing for executive, board-level, or governance responsibilities
What you’ll achieve at the end of the course
Conceptual clarity and self-awareness around what it means to lead responsibly
In Day 1’s ‘The Context and Frameworks of Responsible Leadership’ morning session:
- Explore leadership ethics, authenticity and moral purpose
- Understand the business, societal, and environmental drivers of responsible leadership
- Be introduced to the Responsible Leadership Framework: values, ethics, inclusion, and sustainability
In Day 1’s ‘Leading with Values and Purpose’ afternoon session:
- Explore case studies across corporate, public, and non-profit sectors
- Identify your personal leadership values and ethical anchors
- Participate in facilitated group dialogue on integrity, accountability and trust
A strengthened capability to act with integrity, inclusion and courage in complex organisational situations
In Day 2’s ‘Responsible Decision-Making in Practice’ morning session:
- Analyse ethical dilemmas and trade-offs in leadership
- Apply stakeholder and ESG frameworks to real-word decisions
- Participate in group exercises in moral reasoning, transparency and governance
In Day 2’s ‘Leading Responsibly Through People and Culture’ afternoon session:
- Learn more about how to foster inclusion, wellbeing and psychological safety
- Gain understanding into the leader’s role in shaping responsible organisational culture
- Participate in a simulation exercise to gain insights into how to respond to leadership challenges under pressure
An experience informed by internal reflection and peer perspectives
In Day 3’s ‘The Responsible Leader in Action’ morning session:
- Synthesise insights from the course through guided reflection and shared dialogue
- Engage in peer coaching and open forum discussion to explore how responsible leadership principles can be applied in your organisational context
- Articulate your emerging commitments and next steps for leading responsibly, interweaving your personal reflections with informal peer feedback
- Participate in facilitated collective sense-making, identifying shared challenges and opportunities for embedding inclusion, ethics and sustainability within your teams and systems
A CPD Certificate of Completion
Delegates, on completion, will receive a CPD Certificate of Completion endorsed by the RAU.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered in person on the RAU Cirencester campus.
Teaching time on Days 1 – 2 will take place between 9.00 am – 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm, with an hour for lunch.
Teaching time on Day 3 will take place between 9.00 am – 12.00 pm.
About the course leader
Ian Evans, Senior Lecturer in Business and Academic Lead for Future Skills, Innovation & Industry Partnerships, joined the RAU in July 2025, having previously worked at Coventry University, the University of Warwick, Durham University, the University of Sunderland, and Northumbria University.
As an experienced academic (Associate/Assistant Professor/Senior Teaching Fellow), Ian has taught across many subject specialist areas such as Business Excellence, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operations Management and Strategy, Project Management, Global Corporate Strategy and Strategic Management, and Research Methods.
Read more about Ian Evans here.
Book your place
The next open course date is:
Responsible Leadership – Monday 6 July 2026 - Wednesday 8 July 2026 - £1000 (excluding VAT)
This includes lunch.
A 20% RAU student discount is available for a limited number of students.
Book your place on the online shop here.
A discounted price of £1900 (excluding VAT) is available when booking our Sustainable Strategies for Business Excellence course in tandem with this course. Find out more about our Sustainable Strategies for Business Excellence course here.
If you have any queries or are interested in bespoke, closed courses for your organisation, please get in touch via our continuing professional development enquiry form or call +44 (0) 1285 652531.
Funding options
If you are looking at grants to cover the cost of attending our course, you may meet the requirements for Gloucestershire Disability Fund's well-being grants which can fund education and training for adults. For more information, visit the Gloucestershire Disability Fund website here.
You may also meet the requirements for Cotswold District Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding. For more information, visit the Cotswold District Council website here.
Stay with us
Located in the heart of the Cotswolds - we offer comfortable accommodation at our Cirencester campus, with free on-site parking and sustainable catering using local suppliers. Find out more about our accommodation and book here.
Terms and conditions
Read our terms and conditions for short courses and CPD training here.
Please read these carefully before booking.