Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders – Our Trainee Board Programme

We're delighted to celebrate the next chapter for our Trainee Board Members, as three of our second cohort graduates take the next step in their journey. Over the past two years, these emerging leaders have developed the skills and insights to contribute meaningfully to our governance and long-term strategy.

Nurturing Leadership and Insight

Our Trainee Board programme is designed to give participants hands-on experience in board governance, providing exposure to key areas such as finance, strategy, and operational oversight. Laurens De Rooij, Heidi Leyshon, and Mikhaila Crosby have now progressed into Associate Committee Member roles, where they will continue refining their board skills and making a strategic impact.

Reflecting on their experience, Laurens highlighted:

“The most valuable thing has been the breadth of experience — from finance and growth to site visits. It showed me that committees don’t operate in silos but respond to wider business needs.”

Mikhaila added:

“The programme sharpened my ability to digest and prioritise board and committee papers, giving me more confidence in my strategic and tactical thinking.”

Heidi emphasised the importance of curiosity and collaboration:

“Diversity counts and is valuable. Bringing curiosity drives the board forward, and in my new role I’ll be applying that curiosity by asking questions with confidence to bring value to the committee.”

Looking Ahead

The transition from trainee to associate is an important milestone, marking both personal growth and the ongoing success of the programme. As Laurens, Mikhaila, and Heidi take on more responsibility, they are focused on championing customer outcomes, sustainability, and value-driven initiatives that benefit the communities we serve.

This programme is part of our commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow – individuals who combine strategic insight with a customer-first approach to governance. We look forward to seeing their continued contributions and the positive impact they will make in shaping our organisation’s future.