Third year of Greater Manchester Civic Leadership Programme welcomes 34 new aspiring leaders

• The Greater Manchester Civic Leadership Programme is designed to diversify and strengthen civic representation across the city-region
• Thirty four successful applicants representing all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester will take part in the third cohort of the six-month scheme
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority and social enterprise She Leads for Legacy partnered together, creating the programme to empower people from underrepresented backgrounds step into civic leadership roles like magistrates, elected representatives and school governors

Thirty four aspiring leaders from across Greater Manchester are set to learn new skills thanks to Greater Manchester’s pioneering Civic Leadership Programme.

Now entering its third year, the Civic Leadership Programme is being run in partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and social enterprise She Leads for Legacy.

The programme is designed to support people from underrepresented communities step into civic and public leadership roles with the aim of improving representation in decision-making across the city-region.

Since its launch, the programme has supported 61 emerging leaders build their confidence, gain skills, and connect with influential networks across Greater Manchester.

Last year over a third of participants secured roles in public leadership, including school governors, councillors and other political roles, and charity board members, as well as utilising their skills and confidence to engage with public policy.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“We want Greater Manchester to be a place where everyone can see themselves in positions of power and influence, where no one is held back from making a difference in their community.

“The Civic Leadership Programme is helping to unlock the leadership potential that already exists in our neighbourhoods but has too often gone unrecognised. It’s about reimagining what civic leadership can look like and creating new routes to get there.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing with She Leads for Legacy to open up opportunities and build a new generation of changemakers for Greater Manchester.”

Councillor Arooj Shah, Greater Manchester Lead for Equalities and Communities, said:

“This programme is deeply personal to me. It’s about ensuring that people from all walks of life, especially those who’ve traditionally been left out of decision-making, have the support and encouragement they need to lead.

“Through this programme we are developing leaders who bring lived experience, empathy, and a genuine commitment to community. We’re not just creating space at the table, we’re changing the conversation and the culture of leadership in Greater Manchester. Representation matters, and this is just the beginning.”

Throughout the programme, participants will explore and develop leadership styles, personal resilience, confidence and public speaking skills. They will hear from a range of dynamic speakers and be offered peer mentoring and practical opportunities to observe civic roles and see how they can make a tangible impact in their communities.

Sharon Amesu, Co-Founder of She Leads for Legacy, said:

“We believe that leadership should be bold, inclusive, and transformative and that people should lead with purpose and impact - not in spite of their backgrounds, but because of them. The programme is a powerful reminder that when we open doors and invest in people’s potential, we create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond the individuals involved.”

David Mutai, Community Leader, Emmaus Salford Skills & Employability Coach and former Civic Leadership Programme participant, said:

“The programme gave me rare access to senior leaders I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and the learning transformed both my confidence and capacity. I came in with a desire to grow - I left with doubled reach, deeper expertise, and a renewed sense of purpose.”

Article Published: 22/05/2025 11:44 AM