Nottingham Business School to deliver National Fire Chiefs Council Executive Leadership Development Programme

Nottingham Business School (NBS) has been awarded the contract to deliver the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Executive Leadership Development Programme (ELDP), a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening strategic leadership across the UK’s fire and rescue services.

The co-created programme, which will lead to a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management Practice, is designed for existing and aspiring senior leaders within the fire and rescue sector.

It aims to build leadership capability by equipping participants to tackle the strategic issues facing the UK Fire and Rescue Service. The programme is structured to ensure that learning within the classroom delivers lasting, practical benefits, helping individuals respond effectively to both current and future challenges.

The ELDP will be delivered over ten months, combining face-to-face blocks of study at NBS with online learning, action learning sets, and one-to-one coaching. Participants will explore key themes such as systems leadership, organisational culture, strategic change, and inclusive leadership – aligned with NFCC’s Leadership Framework and Core Code of Ethics.

NBS, part of Nottingham Trent University, is in the top 1% of business schools in the world to hold triple crown accreditation by EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA – globally recognised hallmarks of excellence and quality for business education.

It has a history of innovation in delivering executive education, namely the unique Nottingham Leadership Transformation Programme, which brings together leaders from Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the police, and the NHS.

Programme lead and director of Executive Education at NBS, Dr Mel Bull, brings over two decades of experience in executive education and leadership development across the public and private sectors. Dr Bull will deliver the programme alongside experienced NBS academics whose research and expertise cover employee engagement, leadership talent and resilience, HR, employee behaviour and organisational change, finance, economics, and public policy.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning, ethical leadership, and sector-wide collaboration. Together with NFCC we will co-create a programme that supports the development of ethical, resilient, and inclusive leaders,” said Dr Bull. “This is a critical time for the fire and rescue sector, and we are proud to contribute to shaping its future leadership.”

NFCC lead for Leadership Development, Wayne Bowcock, said: “Investing in leadership is one of the most important commitments we can make to the future of fire and rescue services. The challenges we face as a sector are complex and continuously evolving, and they demand leaders who are not only highly skilled but are inclusive and demonstrate integrity and resilience.

“The Executive Leadership Development Programme is about more than individual progression – it’s about equipping our future leaders with the capability and confidence to drive real, lasting change for our services and the communities we serve.

“By working with Nottingham Business School, we are ensuring that our people have access to the best possible development opportunities that will strengthen leadership across the UK and help us build a sector ready to meet the demands of tomorrow.”

The first cohort of the new ELDP is expected to begin in spring 2026, with up to 35 participants per intake. The programme will culminate in a conference day where participants present consultancy projects addressing real-world challenges in the fire and rescue sector.

FIRE Magazine

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