Pure is offering the chance for one aspiring female leader, working at a deserving organisation in the East of England, to receive a part-funded place on its highly successful Women’s Leadership Programme starting in June.

Applications for the sponsored place are open to female managers and Directors working within social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, early stage start-ups and SMEs across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

The place on the programme has been sponsored by the Blossom Charity, which supports women in the East of England to be the best they can be. The aim is to make this course more accessible to local organisations which may not have had the budget to develop their talent pipeline in this way.

Lynn Walters, Director at Pure, said: “We’re delighted that Bridget McIntyre, founder and trustee of the Blossom Charity, has chosen to sponsor a place for the third year running. Bridget has been a regular guest speaker at our Women in Leadership events. Having held several Board positions, including UK Chief Executive of Royal Sun Alliance, and currently sitting on the Boards of Adnams, Jarolds and Saga as a Non-Executive Director, she talks passionately about how attending a leadership course made a huge impression on her life. Being able to make similar opportunities available to other women was just one of her inspirations behind creating the Blossom Charity and associated social enterprise Dream On.”

The Women’s Leadership Programme has already supported more than 60 aspiring female leaders in the region. It was first developed by professional recruitment specialists Pure and People & Performance Ltd in 2014. It is designed to help women strengthen their leadership skills, develop their confidence and grow their network.  

Lynn added: “It’s extremely positive to see more and more employers realising that diversity and inclusion is vital for innovation and to gaining a competitive advantage. However, there is still work to be done. A survey by Birketts and PwC revealed that one in eight employees in East Anglia felt they had experienced overt barriers to their career progression because of their gender. Our aim is to inspire organisations across the region to create inclusive work environments where any barriers to progression are removed and everyone can work in a way that makes them feel productive and engaged. Not only does this programme help women to develop their authentic leadership skills, it also equips them with the ability to work with their employers to dig out any problems, find positive solutions and to build a pipeline of more women progressing into leadership roles.”

Previous companies to have benefited from a sponsored place include the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Rand Europe and Fauna and Flora International. All delegates involved in the programme remain part of a strong alumni network developing across the East of England.

Lynn Morgan, Chief Executive of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “I have been delighted with the way that the leadership programme has given my team member the time and opportunity to explore issues around leadership and personal development with other very bright young women. The facilitation on the programme has been first rate and I believe the participants have benefitted significantly by being involved.”

The Blossom Charity sponsored place is offered for the programme which starts in June. It includes four days of facilitated learning and two individual coaching sessions. The full cost of the programme is usually £2,950 but this will be reduced to £1,475 for the chosen delegate. To apply for the place, or to nominate a member of your team, email lucy.plumb@prs.uk.com with a CV and covering letter.