Women’s LeadHERship course to launch in Wales
Team Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and RBC Brewin Dolphin have partnered up to offer a new LeadHERship course for women in Wales.
The LeadHERship programme is a groundbreaking new initiative designed to empower women with the confidence, skills and networks they need to thrive in business and sport and gain valuable experience as they begin their leadership journey.
The course, designed by Dr Kerry Harris and Dr Sofia Santos from Cardiff Met’s Sports Coaching Hub, aims to connect sport and business in a leadership setting to enhance career opportunities in a management setting.
Representatives from Team Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and RBC Brewin Dolphin attend the launch of the LeadHERship programme with the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership at Welsh Government, Jack Sargeant.
Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership at Welsh Government, Jack Sargeant attended a launch event for the LeadHERship programme at Cardiff Met’s Cyncoed campus on Thursday 6 March and said: “The launch of the LeadHERship programme couldn’t come at a more exciting time for women’s sport in Wales as we look forward to hosting the AIG Women’s Open in Porthcawl and competing for the first time in the Euro 2025 women’s football tournament.
“This innovative partnership will create valuable opportunities for women to develop their leadership potential across both sport and business. Bringing these sectors together will build bridges that will help create the next generation of female leaders in Wales.
“The programme embodies our commitment to advancing gender equality and ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential, whether that’s in the boardroom or on the playing field.”
Belinda Houghton-Jones, from RBC Brewin Dolphin (Cardiff office) added: “We are seeing an increasing commonality between commercial and sporting success, and understand that the power of business and sport often complement one another.
“This programme will build upon the qualities developed on and off the pitch, such as teamworking, resilience and self-belief, with those necessary in the boardroom, such as financial literacy and governance.”
The course will be led over four immersive residential sessions, exploring the social landscape of leadership, developing self and others, constructing contexts and building agency and future planning and ongoing development.
The residential sessions will also include speakers and panel discussions from experienced and inspirational women in leadership positions across sport and business.
In addition, there will be four online sessions to include a financial literacy session with RBC Brewin Dolphin.
Team Wales Chief Executive Rebecca Edwards-Symmons said: “This is a superb opportunity to develop future female leaders in Wales. We at Team Wales pride ourselves on being inclusive, and collectively we will make sure this course reflects this, giving all females a unique opportunity to make their mark within their career field and progress in their leadership ambitions.”
Laura Williams, Assistant Director of Sport, Physical Activity and Health at Cardiff Metropolitan University added: “We are thrilled to strengthen our existing partnership with Team Wales, supporting aspiring female leaders across Wales. The LeadHERship programme will continue to improve the work we are already doing to help women succeed in sport and with RBC Brewin Dolphin on board, we bring together the best of sport and business.
“We have worked with Team Wales over the past two years on Cardiff Met’s flagship ArcHER programme, championing inspiring women across the entire sporting system while demonstrating our commitment to excellence in women’s sport – through participation, elite performance, groundbreaking research, or driving change in athlete support and leadership. We now look forward to building on this success and collaborating with candidates, partners, and inspirational guest speakers to amplify their LeadHERship journey.”
Applications for the LeadHERship course will open on Friday 7th March via the Team Wales website: teamwales.cymru/leadhership.
For further information or to discuss the course further please email nominations@teamwales.cymru or visit teamwales.cymru/leadhership for further information.