We are delighted to celebrate the graduation of another inspiring cohort from Abri Group’s Aspiring Managers programme, designed and delivered through a fantastic partnership between GatenbySanderson and Abri Housing.

Over the past eight months, this group of aspiring leaders have embarked on a meaningful journey of development, challenge and self-discovery. They pushed beyond their comfort zones, questioned old patterns of thinking, and supported one another as they built their confidence and capability as future managers.

What They Learned

In the final reflection session, several powerful themes emerged, showcasing not just new skills, but genuine shifts in mindset and behaviour:

• Growing self-awareness and understanding their individual leadership styles
• Building confidence to step into conversations they might once have avoided
• Recognising how people respond to change and uncertainty
• Embracing curiosity through open questions and active listening

Many participants spoke about learning to pause, resisting the urge to jump straight into solutions. By taming the “advice monster,” they discovered how to create space for more meaningful conversations and stronger, more trusting relationships.

One comment captured the group’s progress beautifully:
“Difficult conversations aren’t so difficult anymore.”

Designed and Delivered Through True Partnership

This programme was brought to life through thoughtful, human-centred design by Vicki Haverson from GatenbySanderson’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, whose leadership in shaping the content and learning experience was central to the programme’s success.

A huge thank you also to Abri Group’s brilliant internal L&D team, Lauren Waldron, Kayleigh O’Farrell-Stevens, and Alan Jerram FLPI, whose collaboration, energy and insight made this a truly impactful journey for participants.
We are also grateful to Joanna Le Bohec for stepping in to support the programme, and to Hannah Coughlan for ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.

Congratulations to the Graduates

To everyone who completed the programme: congratulations. Your openness, curiosity, resilience and commitment to learning made this a standout cohort to work with. It has been a privilege to support your development over the past eight months.

We can’t wait to see where your management journeys take you next, and the impact you’ll make as confident, thoughtful and people‑centred leaders.

Find out more about our senior leadership and development practice at GatenbySanderson.