Forward Institute | Responsible leadership for a better future

Developing leaders. Supporting change. Building a movement.

We partner with senior leaders committed to building the companies of tomorrow. Working across purpose, strategy and culture, we help grow leadership that unlocks organisations to fulfil their true potential.

As a nonprofit, we're dedicated solely to making change happen at scale. Join us in the movement for responsible leadership and let's work together to build a new generation of companies aiming to be not just the best in the world – but also best for the world.

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Our partners

We've been at the forefront of the responsible leadership movement since 2015, each year partnering with over 30 forward-thinking organisations from business, government and the social sector.

David Morgan

COO – easyJet

"The Forward Institute has had a profound impact on my perspective, and it's not an exaggeration to say that it has transformed my outlook on the world. Even though I've completed the official program, I still consider myself an integral part of the Fellowship. The connections I've made and the thought-provoking discussions continue to be a valuable resource in my daily work."

Ade Adelekan

Deputy Assistant Commissioner – Metropolitan Police

“I always ask myself: what's the purpose of a leader if I can’t challenge myself and my organisation to be better? The Forward Institute has provided me a platform that I can tap into daily, if I wish, to have interactions with leaders who'll challenge me, but also enable me to learn and improve. The FI has found people who've been through a similar challenge in other organisations, helping me to practically tackle what I'm dealing with. And above all, I never feel judged in the conversations, but rather come away feeling enriched.”

Eve Henrikson

CEO – Uber Eats EMEA

“My experience of the Fellowship was one of getting time to step away from the day to day, to take time to learn from others and deeply challenge my own leadership style and assumptions. I have continued to engage with the network long after the programme as I have found the network and opportunities incredibly useful for continued learning as I progress through my own career.”

What we offer

You'll partner with a diverse team of expert practitioners united behind a common purpose to accelerate a transition to a better future. Our experienced facilitators and advisors bring insight from supporting executive teams in some of the world’s leading organisations.

FOR YOUR ORGANISATION AND TEAMS

Advisory practice

Our Advisory practice supports CEOs and senior leadership teams who want to transform their organisations into beacons of responsibility and purpose.

Working collaboratively with individuals, teams and boards as an independent advisor and coach, we co-design cutting-edge experiential programmes that unleash leadership at scale and embed purpose at the heart of your culture.

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FOR YOUR ORGANISATION'S LEADERS

Fellowship programme

Our flagship 16-month leadership development programme for senior leaders, tailored to your needs.

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Exchange programme

Step into another leader's world through our experiential six-month Exchange programme.

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Leading Through Disruption

A six-month leadership development programme for leaders in the public eye (by invitation only).

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Change takes time, so our approach is long-term. When you partner with us, you join our active community of 900+ leaders with access to ongoing opportunities for learning, insight and collaboration.

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Responsible leadership news & articles

How to succeed in an era of volatility

01 March 2024

By Harvard Business Review

Invest in prediction, adaptability and resilience.

READ ARTICLE

A leader’s guide to navigating employee activism

06 February 2024

By Harvard Business Review

How companies can choose when – and whether – to act on employees’ concerns.

READ ARTICLE

INSEAD insights: January 2024 research picks

18 January 2024

By INSEAD

Recent findings on enhancing experiences, gender wage transparency, long-term planning, networks and the dangers of flattery.

READ ARTICLE

How to lead across a siloed organisation

11 January 2024

By Harvard Business Review

It’s long been recognised that cross-functional collaboration is essential. Still, stubborn silos that bog down execution, hamper innovation and slow decision-making are still a common and persistent challenge.

READ ARTICLE

How leaders strategically enhance their networks for maximum impact

29 November 2023

By Forbes

Are you intentional in nurturing and maximising your professional network? This crucial element often goes unnoticed by many professionals who view networking as unfavourable or too burdensome.

READ ARTICLE

How leaders can create a purpose-driven culture

07 November 2023

By Harvard Business Review

Many companies tout their corporate purpose, emphasising guiding principles that reach beyond mere profitability. While some earnestly prioritise ethical behaviour and broad responsibility, others falter in matching their actions with their rhetoric. What sets them apart?

READ ARTICLE

Why we should spend more time talking with strangers

06 November 2023

By the Guardian

We focus on friendships, but encounters with those we hardly know are vital too.

READ ARTICLE

Harness your network to unlock innovation

01 November 2023

By Harvard Business Review

Why do so many big companies get poor returns on all the money they invest in innovation? A large body of research suggests that it’s because their managers tend to think novel ideas are “deviant” and resist them.

READ ARTICLE

Questioning our beliefs to change unsustainable behaviors

17 October 2023

By Network for Business Sustainability on B The Change

A business scholar and a parenting coach explain how gaining awareness can provide new opportunities to address the climate crisis.

READ ARTICLE

How leadership shapes sustainability governance

12 October 2023

By INSEAD

Amid regulatory and societal pressures to meet sustainability standards, strong personal leadership in the boardroom is needed to ensure competitive advantage and corporate longevity.

READ ARTICLE

The burden of proof for corporate sustainability is too high

03 October 2023

By MIT Sloan Management Review

There’s a serious inconsistency in how the business world sees sustainability.

READ ARTICLE

Why the circular economy is a business imperative

02 October 2023

By the World Economic Forum

The circular economy is a paradigm shift in how we do business, focusing on minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency.

READ ARTICLE

ESG is not impact

02 October 2023

By INSEAD

ESG efforts are essential for reducing harm, but it is not the same as striving for a net positive impact.

READ ARTICLE

Leaders on the move

February 2024

Simon Graham (Fellowship Cohort 3) now Commander 25 Close Support Engineer Group (3rd Division, British Army).

February 2024

Brigadier Lizzie Faithfull-Davies (Fellowship Cohort 5) to be new Director of Land Equipment for Defence Equipment and Supplies (MoD).

January 2024

Helen Jones (Fellowship Cohort 1) starts new role as Chief Customer Officer - Global at EcoOnline Global.

January 2024

Andrew Middleton (Fellowship Cohort 3) joins Evelyn Partners as Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer.

What's responsible leadership?

For us, responsible leadership is about being more sustainable, more equitable and more purposeful in all your decisions and actions as a leader. We believe a responsible leader is one who genuinely values diversity, cares about others, thinks for the long term, and is honest and brave.

In the video below, some of our Fellows share what responsible leadership means to them.

Forward Vision with Matthew Taylor

Progress

Forward Vision with Matthew Taylor

Our podcast explores responsible leadership and more through conversations with inspirational thinkers and leaders.

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Woman holding a notebook, seen from the back

Responsible leadership – how we think

Read insights, articles and blog posts on responsible leadership written by our team.

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Our impact

We accelerate deep change – from personal change to systemic change across teams and organisations.

READ CASE STUDIES & STORIES OF CHANGE