A Disruptive Leadership Programme, Not a Traditional Management Course
If you're expecting a typical management programme with rigid frameworks and generic leadership models, the BRC Leaders Summer School isn’t it.
It’s a disruptive leadership programme designed specifically for early to mid-level leaders in retail, focused on changing the way you think about leadership, people, and business impact. The emphasis isn’t on teaching traditional management techniques but on shaping leaders who are adaptable, conscious, and ready to make meaningful, sustainable decisions.
What Makes the BRC Leaders Summer School Different?
Most management programmes follow a similar formula—covering processes, efficiency techniques, and hierarchies. But in a fast-moving and complex sector like retail, that’s no longer enough. The BRC Leaders Summer School is different because it challenges conventional leadership styles and focuses on the broader impact you can have as a leader. Here’s how it stands apart:
Focus on People, Planet, Profit, and Purpose
Instead of being purely profit-driven, the programme encourages a more holistic approach to leadership, balancing people, planet, profit, and purpose. These four pillars are critical for modern leadership, especially as retail faces growing expectations around sustainability and ethical business practices. You’ll learn how to integrate all four into decision-making, ensuring your leadership has a wider, long-term impact.
Conscious Leadership Mindset
Leadership today is about more than just managing teams and hitting targets. The Summer School promotes a mindset shift, pushing you to think beyond the mechanics of management. It asks you to consider how you can be a leader who understands people, drives positive change, and fosters a culture of trust and innovation. It’s about moving away from the outdated "command and control" style and developing leadership that’s people-centric, purpose-driven, and agile.
Practical, Real-World Learning
The curriculum is designed around real-world retail challenges. This isn’t a theory-heavy course that focuses on abstract concepts. Instead, it involves case studies, interactive workshops, and group coaching to apply learning directly to the issues you’ll face in your role. You'll explore complex scenarios like crisis management, strategic decision-making, and leading through uncertainty—skills that are directly transferable to your day-to-day work.
Networking and Peer Collaboration
One of the most valuable aspects of the programme is the opportunity to connect with other leaders in the retail space. The BRC Leaders Summer School places a strong emphasis on collaboration and shared learning. The networking opportunities here go beyond exchanging business cards—you’ll be part of group activities and discussions that encourage deep, reflective thinking and collective problem-solving. You’ll leave with a broader network of peers who face similar challenges and a more collaborative approach to leadership.
A Fresh Approach to Leadership Development
The disruptive element of the programme comes from its innovative approach. This isn’t just about learning skills but reshaping how you think and lead. The goal is to create leaders who are aware of their influence—both within their organisations and on the broader industry. You’ll be challenged to rethink the traditional roles and responsibilities of leadership, making you better equipped to navigate the evolving demands of retail.
The Hybrid Learning Model
The BRC Leaders Summer School is designed to fit around your schedule while keeping engagement high. Its hybrid format combines two immersive residential sessions with a digital learning bridge. Here's why this structure works:
Residential Sessions
These in-person sessions allow for deep dives into key leadership topics, with the benefit of face-to-face interaction with peers and facilitators. You’ll have the space to reflect on your leadership style, work on real-world retail challenges, and develop new strategies in a collaborative environment. It’s also a chance to build meaningful connections with other leaders.
Digital Learning Bridge
The time between the residential sessions is just as important. The digital learning bridge keeps you engaged through live sessions, e-learning modules, and ongoing coaching. This isn’t a passive experience. The combination of digital and in-person learning ensures that you can apply what you’ve learned as you go, with regular opportunities to reflect and refine your leadership approach.
The Programme Structure
The BRC Leaders Summer School is carefully designed to balance theory and practice. Here's what you can expect:
Group Coaching
You'll be part of a small coaching group where you can explore leadership challenges in a confidential, supportive environment. These sessions encourage self-reflection and growth.
Interactive Live Sessions
These virtual sessions are highly participatory and designed to keep you engaged with the content and your fellow leaders between the residential sessions.
E-learning Modules
You’ll have access to a range of e-learning modules through our Thrive platform, which offers flexibility and ensures that you can keep learning at your own pace. These modules cover key topics like sustainability, conscious leadership, and the future of retail.
Case Studies and Real-World Application
You won’t be stuck in lectures. Instead, you’ll work through practical case studies that allow you to apply what you’ve learned to actual retail scenarios. This hands-on approach ensures the learning sticks.
Who Should Attend?
The BRC Leaders Summer School is aimed at early to mid-level leaders in retail who are ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. If you want to move beyond traditional management and develop a leadership style that’s fit for the future of retail, this programme is for you.
It’s particularly valuable for those in roles where leadership requires navigating complex decisions, balancing multiple priorities, and responding to rapid change. Whether you're looking to advance your career, take on more responsibility, or simply sharpen your leadership skills, this disruptive programme will equip you with the tools to succeed.
The BRC summer school is an empowering and thought provoking course. Expect the unexpected! I learnt so much more than I expected and have already started bringing this into my organisation. I unlearnt so much, not just about ways of working, but about myself. I have made friends for life on this course. I can't recommend this course enough. - Francesca Ridley, E-commerce Trading Team Leader at The Perfume Shop
Organisational Benefits
The BRC Leaders Summer School isn’t just beneficial for individuals; it has significant advantages for the organisations that send their leaders through the programme. By developing leaders who can think strategically and act with purpose, companies can:
- Foster a more innovative and adaptable leadership culture
- Drive sustainable business practices aligned with long-term goals
- Improve collaboration across departments and functions
- Increase employee engagement and retention by promoting conscious leadership
- Build a leadership pipeline equipped to handle the future challenges of retail
"Our decision to send delegates on your programmes comes down to the quality of content and the chance for our team to develop key commercial and self-reflection skills. The social-learning aspect is also invaluable. These programmes have helped shape our team members into knowledgeable, commercial leaders, and we've seen many progress through the business. What sets your offering apart is the niche retail expertise and the chance to work on projects beyond their usual scope. Since completing the programmes, our employees are more reflective, authentic, and driven." - Sara Duxbury, Global Head of Learning & Development at AllSaints
Hear from our delegates:
Attending the Summer School organised by BRC on conscious leadership was a transformative experience. The course offered a comprehensive approach to leadership through the lenses of profit, planet, purpose, and people. Each session was meticulously designed to challenge conventional thinking and inspire a holistic view of leadership. One of the most impactful aspects was the emphasis on aligning leadership practices with a deeper purpose. The discussions and activities around integrating profitability with environmental sustainability and social responsibility were particularly enlightening. They provided me with practical strategies to lead in a way that not only drives business success but also contributes positively to society and the environment.
Possibly the best course I have ever been on. It really pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to be 100% myself. Walking into Ashridge House, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I thought I’d be learning strict management and leadership skills. I did learn these, but the BRC Summer School was so much more than that. With a focus on the four pillars—People, Planet, Profit, Purpose—it encouraged me to be curious and reflect on myself, first and foremost, as well as on those around me, both in professional and personal settings. It made me realize that I am the right person for my role, and those around me should feel that way too. It helped me dive deeper into our individual purpose in life and at work. What do we truly want to achieve? The BRC Summer School gave me the confidence to be myself and to consider each pillar in depth, thinking about how I can use these insights to help create a safe environment for those around me, so they too can be their true selves and achieve great things!
I attended the BRC Leaders Summer School feeling a little apprehensive about the programme and unsure of what to expect. Over the six weeks, I learned so much and found the combination of in-person sessions, online learning, and webinars to be ideal for developing as a leader. The speakers were incredible, and Evelina's session on the Purpose Lens had a significant impact on me. I loved being part of a coaching group that provided support throughout the course and continues to do so even now that it has ended. I feel I’ve made some great contacts and good friends during the programme and look forward to applying what I’ve learned as I return to work with a completely fresh perspective as a leader.
Ready to Rethink Leadership?
The BRC Leaders Summer School isn’t about ticking boxes or following outdated management playbooks. It’s about challenging the status quo and preparing the next generation of leaders to tackle the complexities of the modern retail landscape. If you’re looking for a fresh, disruptive approach to leadership that goes beyond traditional management, this is the programme for you.
Are you ready to shift your thinking and transform your leadership approach? Head over to our BRC Leaders Summer School page through the link below.
The BRC Leaders Summer School
The industry-leading programme for mid-level retail leaders who are ready to drive positive change.