Celebrating Leadership: West Midlands leaders mark completion of strategic course

The University of Wolverhampton Business School, in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), hosted a Summer Leadership Celebratory Evening on Monday 14 July 2025 at Chancellors Hall, University of Wolverhampton.

The event marked the successful completion of the Strategic Leadership and Management Training Course—a flagship, fully funded executive programme designed to empower current and aspiring leaders across the West Midlands with the strategic tools and insights needed to drive innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.

Over 50 business and public sector leaders have completed the programme, which has already begun to make a tangible impact on local organisations by boosting productivity, fostering innovation, and supporting inclusive economic recovery.

The evening brought together course alumni, business leaders, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to celebrate achievements, share leadership insights, and build new connections.

The event featured a keynote address from Debra McDonald, CEO of Iron & Velvet and winner of the 2025 Sustainability Award, who reflected on the evolving nature of leadership: “Modern leadership today is about awareness and agility as much as strategy. It’s about seizing opportunities in transformation, diversity, and sustainability — and understanding that people are the true drivers of success, even in a software-defined world.  In small business leadership, skills are the real currency. Investing in yourself, as much as you invest in knowing your business or product, will pay dividends throughout your entire career.

“One of the most well-worn phrases in business is, 'Dress for the job you want.' I'm a strong advocate of this. If the job you want is leadership, then courses like the Strategic Leadership and Management Training Course at the University of Wolverhampton are your power suit.”

Additional insights came from Chibs, Founder of GuDee and winner of the 2024 Great British Entrepreneur Award, and Megan Rowlands from Amazon Web Services, who spoke on the role of digital transformation and inclusive leadership in shaping business culture.

Sadaf Alvi-Liaqat, Executive Education Lead at the University of Wolverhampton Business School, said: “We’re proud to support the region’s leaders with a course that builds confidence, strategic thinking and impact. This evening is about celebrating their journey and the difference they’re already making in their organisations and communities.”

The Strategic Leadership and Management Training Course continues to play a vital role in developing the region’s leadership capacity, equipping professionals with the skills to lead through complexity and change.

The next course starts on Monday 8 September 2025. For more information about the programme or future courses, visit: Leadership and Management Training course - University of Wolverhampton