Inspiring the leaders of the future

Earlier this month, our Trust academies came together for the second annual Future Leaders Conference, hosted by Ashton Sixth Form College. The event took place at The Chairman’s Club, Etihad Stadium, and brought together 130 nominated students from Ashton Sixth Form College and other local schools, including Fairfield High School for Girls, Rayner Stephens High School, and Longdendale High School for a day dedicated to inspiration, collaboration and personal growth.

The conference was designed to help students connect with like-minded peers and further develop their leadership skills through engaging talks, workshops and activities. Together, they explored what it means to be a leader, from understanding the difference between confidence and enthusiasm, to discovering how leadership is built through connection and courage. The day opened with a warm and inspiring welcome from Centre Principal, Lisa Richards, who shared powerful reflections from her own leadership journey. As the driving force behind Ashton Sixth Form College, Lisa set an uplifting and motivating tone for the day, emphasising the importance of strong leadership and the value of transferable skills.

Lisa commented:
"What a fantastic day! As a college, we have a responsibility to play our part in encouraging and developing future leaders. Our student delegates and those from our partner high schools enjoyed hearing from a line-up of inspiring guest speakers who looked at leadership from different perspectives as well as participating in a range of activities to develop their own leadership skills. They represented themselves and their college/school exceptionally well and took a step further along the way to the very bright future I know they will have. A big thank you to our delegates, our guest speakers and college staff who made the day possible."

This year’s line-up of guest speakers was exceptionally inspiring, giving students the chance to hear from four remarkable leaders who each shared their unique journeys:

Rich Bradley, European IT Director at Kellanova (Kellogg’s), spoke about his path from Ashton Sixth Form College, to leading major digital transformation projects across Europe.

Ed Darling, founder and head coach of Project Charisma, inspired students to embrace enthusiasm, use body language effectively and lead with authenticity.

Grace Payne, Forensic Psychologist in Training with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, explored the psychology of leadership and the importance of empathy and purpose.

Kathryn Burn, finalist on BBC’s The Apprentice, shared her entrepreneurial story, highlighting how identifying your unique strengths can lead to success.

Each story offered honest and authentic insights into the challenges and triumphs of leadership - showing students that growth often comes from moments of uncertainty, reflection and perseverance. Students also took part in a series of interactive workshops, including a Leadership Qualities session led by Vice Principal, Sheridan Lewis and additional sessions delivered by academic staff that encouraged teamwork and goal setting. Students from across our academies threw themselves into every activity by asking thoughtful questions, supporting one another and showcasing genuine curiosity. One Year 11 student from Rayner Stephens High School described the day as “a real confidence booster” and “an inspiration.”

Jamie Pinder, who attended Longdendale High School and is now studying at Ashton Sixth Form commented:
“I’ve learnt a lot from today - like speaking. I would never dream of speaking on a video or giving speeches. People know how introverted I am, but today has helped a lot more than most advice I’ve been given.”

Event organiser, Tony Payne, reflected:
“The Future Leaders Conference 2025 was a huge success, with students fully immersed in every part of the day. The speakers brought leadership to life and inspired students to pursue their ambitions with confidence. It was a proud moment seeing them engage so thoughtfully with our guests - they represented the college brilliantly and are well on their way to becoming future leaders themselves.”

Rachel Smirke, Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Progression, also commented:
"This was the 2nd year of our Future Leaders Conference, and once again, it exceeded all expectations. The energy, passion, and insight demonstrated by our students truly showcased the incredible potential of tomorrow’s leaders. It was inspiring to see so many young minds engaged, motivated, and ready to make a difference."

The Future Leaders Conference 2025 not only enriched students’ learning experiences but also reaffirmed the Trust’s mission to empower and equip young people to lead with confidence, integrity and purpose. The event was a tremendous success, leaving students motivated and ready to put their new leadership skills into action.