Introducing the CASE Global Leaders Programme: international excellence in reputation, advocacy and advancement for university executive teams

Written By Liz Appleyard

To universities and their leadership teams, the world today is almost unrecognisable from just five years ago.

For those of us in the UK, it is fair to say that even last week seems like a very different time!

Geopolitical turbulence, resurgent culture wars, the lasting impact of the pandemic, the financial pressures of international recruitment and the challenges facing global research collaboration have all combined to create extraordinary pressure on university leaders.

The pace, impact and sheer unpredictability of these changes provide a particular challenge to universities attempting to steer a course through these stormy seas.

As a result, institutional reputation, advocacy and advancement are now core considerations for University Executive Boards and their Governing Bodies.

University leaders are now expected to know what excellence looks like across communications (both internal and external), government relations, branding and marketing, fundraising and alumni relations. Increasingly, they are having to consider how all of these fit together when building teams and an integrated strategy to further the global reputation of their institution.

We believe this has led to a pressing need for professional development, support and the sharing of international best practice for university leaders, both academic and professional.

This is why, together with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), we are launching the CASE Global Leaders Programme for University Executive Teams across the UK, USA, Australia and Canada.

Beginning with an exceptional international study tour to some of the world’s most innovative institutions, delegates will have a truly international experience, underpinned by CASE’s unique worldwide network of university leaders and practitioners.

Each Programme will also feature a further three days of masterclasses, action-learning sets delivered by outstanding practitioners from within the higher education sector and VIP dinners with guest speakers from beyond it. They will then also spend time with an inbound international cohort of university leaders to compare approaches across different systems and cultures. Finally, delegates will become part of a new global alumni community invited to attend a dedicated event at the CASE Summit in New York City every July, as well as national conferences for institutional leaders.

Benchmarked against other executive professional development products and the cost of leadership recruitment, the programme is a unique executive development opportunity for its delegates. It is also a prudent investment for universities seeking to provide their leadership teams with the tools required to safeguard institutional reputation in an increasingly challenging and competitive environment.

If, to universities, the world looks transformed today, then what will it look like five years from now?

The CASE Global Leaders Programme will help equip a generation of higher education academic and professional leaders with the skills, perspective and networks required to navigate this uncertain future.

Join the inaugural 2025 CASE Global Leaders Cohort, including international study tour to East Coast of the USA

Registration is now open for delegates to join the inaugural CASE Global Leaders Programme UK Cohort. Open to University Executive Board members (including Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, Pro-Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Chief Operating/ Financial/ Marketing/ Fundraising/ Communications Officers, Faculty and Business School Deans), spaces on this first cohort are limited to 16 delegates.

The Programme will….

  • begin in March 2025 with an exceptional international study tour to the US East Coast led by Principal of the University of Glasgow, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli and CASE CEO, Sue Cunningham , which will visit institutions such as Harvard University, Boston University and Johns’ Hopkins – as well as UK diplomatic missions;

  • include three London-based masterclasses and key-action learning sets developed and developed by a truly outstanding Faculty of leading reputation practitioners. Each will take place before a reception and dinner with guest VIP speakers from outside the sector;

  • include a day and evening of exchange and joint-working with the first Australian Global Leaders Programme Cohort visiting the UK in late 2025;

  • join an exclusive global alumni community invited to attend the annual CASE Summit in New York City in July as well a national conference for institutional leaders each November.

The initial deadline for registering an interest in taking part in this inaugural cohort is 1st August 2024. Contact us if you would like to book a call to discuss the programme.

As the UK Faculty for this inaugural cohort, we would be delighted if you could join us.

Your sincerely,

  • Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice-Chancellors of the University of Glasgow

  • Alistair Jarvis CBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships and Governance) of the University of London, and former CEO of Universities UK

  • Rachel Sandison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor - External Engagement and Vice Principal – External Relations, University of Glasgow

  • Andrew Monk, Executive Director of Global Engagement, University of Bristol

  • Alex Favier, Founder and Director of Favier Ltd and former Director of Global Reputation and Relations at the University of Nottingham

Liz Appleyard