Future people leaders programme 2026

Chapters

Introduction

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Future People Leaders Programme (FPLP). Following the success of cohort 1, a second cohort will be launching on 8 September 2026.

This national leadership development programme provides a unique opportunity for senior NHS people professionals who have the skills and determination to become a deputy director in the next 12 to 18 months. It will prepare individuals to lead the system-wide transformation of NHS people services and deliver the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan.

The 12-month programme, designed to unlock potential, accelerate development and sharpen the tools needed to progress to the level of deputy director, has been commissioned by NHS England and will be delivered by NHS Employers.

We understand that strong and capable leaders are essential to ensuring the highest levels of quality across the NHS and recognise the breadth of talent already present in our workforce.

In order to apply, please complete our application form and follow the instructions provided.

Applications will be open from 13 May 2026 to 8 June 2026.

Each applicant will also require a sponsor who will need to complete the sponsorship form, agree funding (£2000 per delegate), and support on the transformation project detailed in the application form.

You can find further information about the programme below. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

We will also be holding a virtual Q&A session to answer any questions from applicants or sponsors on Tuesday 2 June 10:00 - 11:00 am. Please book your place on this session here.

Since the first cohort of the Future People Leaders Programme completed in late in 2024, 62% of participants have already secured promotions.

“I do not think I would have been able to successfully make the next step to being a deputy CPO in the NHS without this course. I very much hope that this first cohort is the start of a longer-term programme that builds a community to meet the NHS’ challenges.”

Key information

This programme is designed to support the development of senior people leaders who are aspiring to step into deputy director roles within the next 12 to 18 months.

Participants will receive targeted development through a combination of five in-person modules, action learning sets, coaching, a virtual masterclass and a development centre.

There will be 50 places available, across two cohorts in England: The North (North East and Yorkshire, North West and Midlands) and the South (South East, South West, East of England and London).

The programme will be aligned with NHS England’s Transforming People Services (TPS) programme and support the delivery of a Target Operating Model (TOM) for people services which will realise the vision of a high-performing, digitally enabled and strategically aligned people function that enhances outcomes for both our people and patients.

Contact us for more information.
The programme fee is £2,000 per participant, funded by the sponsoring organisation.

The participant's sponsoring organisations is also required to cover the cost of travel and accommodation.

NHS England has commissioned NHS Employers to deliver this programme.

Core modules

The programme will consist of five key modules, action learning sets, a virtual masterclass and a development centre. Delegates must attend all components of the programme, please check your availability for all dates prior to completing the application form.

Module title	Description	Date (north)	Date (south)
Online launch event	Our launch event will be opened by senior colleagues from NHS England and NHS Employers. During this short virtual session, you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the programme and meet your contemporaries. We will set the scene and you will have time to think through and plan how you will get the most from your time on the Future People Leaders Programme.	8 Sep 2026	8 Sep 2026
What sort of Deputy do you want to be? (Building your leadership style with intent).	Together, we will explore your leadership style against the evidence base. We will explore how you want to be (and how you are) experienced by others. Our aim is for you to develop your leadership style, over the course of the programme, deliberately, with intent and purpose. We will explore the importance of explicit and demonstrable commitment to compassionate and inclusive leadership. There will be an emphasis on the translation of your leadership style to the EDI agenda and the creation of a just and fair culture. We will look at evidence and research into building emotionally intelligent, psychologically safe teams.	22 Sep 2026	24 Sep 2026
Leading transformational change (Skills and qualities needed to lead transformation).	Senior leaders must be able to turn vision and strategy into reality. This module explores the theory, models, and practical realities of transformation and change, equipping participants with tools to lead and execute successfully. It considers how leaders can enable adaptable teams and maintain engagement through periods of change. Recognising ongoing challenges in the NHS around morale, the session introduces a constructive perspective: that improving staff experience and delivering service transformation can go hand in hand. Participants will examine how leading transformation differs from transactional change, and what this means for leadership behaviours, with a focus on creating sustainable change that supports both service delivery and workforce well-being.	5 Nov 2026	4 Nov 2026
Positioning yourself for maximum impact as a deputy (Maximising your influence, building presence).	Politics, partnership, and influencing are key to the success of deputy directors in the NHS. Using your presence and gravitas to support how you connect and influence key stakeholders is an essential skill which can be learned and honed. We will look at the factors which contribute to everyday positioning – and how influence can be achieved through small, incremental actions that we take every day, whilst understanding the importance of power, relationships and trust. There will be time to focus on personal presence, gravitas, and the ability to give and receive impactful feedback. We will look at what contributes to and detracts from maximising impact in different workplace situations	20 Jan 2027	19 Jan 2027
Building a creative, innovative mindset and function	Participants will learn to build and sustain an innovative mindset, develop creative skills and create the right conditions to foster innovation within the functions that we work in, and the wider NHS. We will consider how psychological safety contributes to innovation, how to support innovation in clinical services and across the boundaries of health and social care. Participants will look at how to handle and capitalise on conflict, to stimulate innovation.	20 April 2027	22 April 2027
Preparing for the future. Transforming People Services (Getting ready for the next chapter and the future of People Services in the NHS).	Participants on the Future People Leaders Programme will likely be at the forefront of implementing the new target operating model, shaping how People Services deliver value across their organisations and the wider system. This module focuses on how leaders prepare now to take on that responsibility – building the capabilities, mindsets and behaviours needed to lead transformation at scale. As the model rolls out regionally, beginning with London and the South West, participants will draw on emerging insights and early lessons learned. The session will challenge leaders to translate ambition into sustained impact, enabling teams to adapt and thrive while delivering high-quality people-centred services.	14 July 2027	13 July 2027

If you match the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the programme by using our online application form and following the instructions. However, you must also have a sponsor who will be required to fill out the accompanying sponsorship form. This could be a line manager, chief people officer, HR director or equivalent. Once completed by your sponsor and returned to you, you must then upload the completed form in order to submit your application.

Your application will include a transformation project which, with the support of your sponsor, will allow you to demonstrate your aptitude as a deputy director. (See supporting guidance for the project).
To be eligible for this programme, you must:
- be a senior people professional working within the NHS in England
- be able to demonstrate your potential and ambition to move into a deputy director role in the next 12 to 18 months
- have a sponsor and organisational support to participate fully and complete the transformation project
- be available to attend all programme dates.
We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and demographics, including underrepresented groups. At the shortlisting stage, equality monitoring information will be used to support intentional decision making where candidates with protected characteristics receive the same scores as those without.
CPOs, HRDs or line managers may sponsor an individual by directing them to complete our application form. Sponsors will also need to complete the attached sponsorship form and then return to the applicant to be uploaded through their application form.

Sponsors will be expected to support the individuals throughout the programme, confirm funding (£2,000 per delegate) and hold discussions to assist them in their transformation project.

They may also continue to champion the applicant beyond graduation of the scheme, as they move forward into their future career, by offering advice and connecting them to senior leaders and career opportunities.
CPO/HRDs can support the scheme by volunteering to assist with any of the following: 
- Participating in online interviews to select successful applicants.  
- Undertaking initial shortlisting of applications to progress to interviews. 
- Participating in development centres. 
This is a time-limited commitment, with clear guidance and support provided by NHS Employers.

For more information on supporting the scheme please contact us, or alternatively please share with other CPO/HRDs who may be interested.
- Applications open: 13 May 2026.
- Applications close: 8 June 2026.
- Shortlisting of applicants based on the scoring from the application forms to be conducted by NHS Employers and chief people officers: 10-21 June 2026
- Applicants to be informed of shortlisting outcome and invited to interview: 24 June 2026.
- Interviews conducted: 2 July 2026 (north), 3 July 2026 (south).
- Successful applicants notified: 10 July 2026.
The FPLP competency framework has been developed to provide programme participants with a clear idea of the key skills, knowledge and behaviours they will develop throughout their time on the programme. This will enable participants to evaluate their development and progress throughout their time on the programme.

The competencies have been developed with key partners involved in the design and commissioning of the programme, including the HPMA and the national professional development board in consultation with current deputy people directors.
As part of the application process, applicants are required to discuss initial ideas for leading a project that will support the transformation of people services within their trust. This will not be scored as part of the selection process but will ensure early support from the applicant's sponsor and create the foundations of a project that will be taken forward as part of the programme.

A guidance document has been created to help with the project.

Future people leaders programme 2026

Chapters

Introduction

Key information

Useful links

Related content

Your future allied health professionals

Advanced practice

Medical Training Initiative scheme closure

Position statement on advanced practice