19 August 2026 
Monica Madeley, Projects and Engagement Officer
HESPA supporters, Strengthify, are running free workshops which have been highly rated by HESPA members:
Strengthify is running a series of Senior Leaders Discovery Workshops across the UK between September and November, designed for senior leaders in higher education who want space to step back from the pace of day-to-day work, compare notes with peers, and think practically about leading teams under pressure.
“Lots of good discussion, with clear actions to introduce a focus on strengths across the team and start applying it in how we work day to day.”
Clare Foyle, Director of Strategic Planning, University College London
Each session brings together senior leaders from higher education alongside colleagues from healthcare and the wider public sector, which tends to produce thoughtful, honest discussion drawn from real experience rather than theory.
The workshops are free to attend and interactive throughout, with space to reflect, test ideas, and think about leadership through the lens of individual strengths, resilience and the day-to-day realities of the role.
As part of the day, participants receive their own Strengthify Profile: a practical picture of how they work at their best, how that can shift under pressure, and how to put it to use in real conversations and team settings.
Recent attendees have described the day as "a fantastic day with genuinely useful insights," and many have found the focus on strengths a compelling match for the way they already lead. Interest has been from leaders looking for protected time to think about impact, culture and wellbeing together, rather than as separate items on an agenda.
Each workshop provides:
Sessions are running across the UK between September and November. See below for exact dates and locations, or to register interest, contact Strengthify directly at www.strengthify.com.
9 Sep Manchester
9 Sep Birmingham
10 Sep Leeds
15 Sep London
17 Sep Virtual
17 Sep Exeter
24 Sep London
22 Oct Cambridge
28 Oct Edinburgh
29 Oct Glasgow
5 Nov Leeds
10 Nov London
11 Nov Bristol
12 Nov Birmingham
18 Nov Manchester
18 Nov Virtual
19 Nov Nottingham
