Whether tackling climate change, improving public services or driving economic development, leaders increasingly need to work across sectors to deliver meaningful and lasting change.

Bringing together 16 participants from 11 countries, the latest cohort of the Leading Cross-Sector Partnerships Programme explored how leaders can move beyond transactional approaches to partnership working, building the trust, coalitions and shared accountability needed to address complex societal challenges. 

With sessions combining practical frameworks with opportunities for reflection and peer learning, the diversity of perspectives in the room meant that discussions drew on a wide range of experiences and contexts, creating space for candid conversations about what enables successful collaboration, and what gets in the way. 

One participant reflected on the value of the programme in helping leaders develop practical approaches to shared challenges:

“The programme stimulated new thinking around practical approaches for addressing complex challenges in my office. I look forward to applying some of the concepts and insights shared during the training to develop effective solutions.” 

The 3 days in Oxford created space for participants to step back from the demands of their day-to-day roles and think differently about the challenges they face. Through discussions with faculty and peers, they explored new ways of working across organisational and sector boundaries, testing ideas and sharing experiences from around the world. 

As participants return to their organisations, the real work begins. Equipped with new insights and practical tools, they are now applying lessons from the programme to strengthen partnerships, develop solutions and drive impact in their own contexts.

Leading Cross-Sector Partnerships will next run on 19 – 21 May 2027; please get in touch to find out more about the programme, or learn about the work of The Government Outcomes Lab.