Strengthening leadership across the animal welfare sector.
The Battersea Academy Leadership Programme returns in 2027. Designed with input from shelter leaders, it supports senior staff and managers who want to grow their leadership skills, build confidence and invest in the long‑term success of their organisation.
Across 10 monthly online workshops, you’ll join a supportive peer group and explore the realities of leading in animal welfare.
What you’ll learn
You’ll build practical, people‑focused leadership skills, including:
- Understanding your leadership style and identifying areas for development
- Creating empowered, confident teams
- Leading through change with clarity and purpose
- Supporting long‑term organisational sustainability
- Using coaching‑style conversations to build autonomy.
Programme structure
The 2027 programme will run from January to November (with a break in August).
- One live online workshop each month
- Sessions last around 2.5 hours
- Supported by e‑learning and reflective activities.
Full dates will be confirmed when applications open.
Who it’s for
The programme is designed for:
- Senior leaders and managers in animal shelters or rehoming organisations
- People ready to commit to monthly workshops and short reflective tasks
- Leaders comfortable working in pairs and small groups in an online setting.
Participants will need reliable internet access, a working camera and a private space for sessions.
Applications
Applications for the 2027 cohort will open in Autumn 2026. To be the first to hear when places become available, register or log in to your Academy Online account.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
· Be in a senior leadership role in an animal shelter (at all levels of experience, new and established leaders are welcome).
· Commit to attend all sessions (dates below).
· Be prepared to be an active participant in the programme (including pre and post session work where required, this would be around 1-2 hours of work per month).
· A lot of pair and small group work is involved, so attendees need to be confident working with different people. The course will be delivered in English, and therefore, competence in written and spoken English is essential.
· As the course is online, there is a need for strong internet access. A working camera is essential, as cameras remain on.
· There is a great deal of information within the course and plenty to do; we therefore need attendees who can commit to the sessions and fully focus on them without distraction. A private space will be needed during the sessions, as confidentiality is important.
