What Next?

A leadership course for people transitioning out of their formal careers to explore new challenges.

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What is What Next?

What Next is a course aimed at senior people in transition - most often from their formal career - who are looking for new and different leadership opportunities.

The economic downturn and changes in public sector expenditure has meant many senior executives are facing redundancy, most of whom would not have expected themselves to be in this position twelve months ago. Now having to plan new futures, What Next? is an ideal course to help them identify opportunities to continue to use the experience they have accumulated in their careers and look forward to new challenges.

During the intensive residential course, participants review their skills and experience and explore the many options that exist for portfolio, non-executive and volunteer roles. Participants will discover how to access opportunities that best match their passions, talents and values.

Read about What Next? in Business at Oxford Magazine

Impact story from Dave Wheeler, Performance Coach and former Chief Superintendant for Lincolnshire Police

 

David Baume - Alumni Story

 

"I attended the What Next? Programme at Oxford and have to say it was life changing! Definitely the most valuable course I have attended. The mix of speakers was excellent to superb and really thought provoking. The outcome for me was feeling more confident about future opportunities in the Social Enterprise and charity sector."

Brian Simmons, Assistant Chief Officer, Cheshire Constabulary

 

Simon Porter - Alumni Story

 

Who is the What Next course for?

What Next is for senior leaders who are looking ahead and for whom complete retirement one day would be a waste of their ability. It's also for individuals facing a career transition they may not have expected, due to redundancy or other circumstances, who are looking to make a career change and take on new challenges.

As with all our open courses, the participant group on What Next will be diverse in terms of background, experience, sector, outlook and approach. Participants share and challenge each other and discover that this diversity - far from being a weakness - provides a key strength of the course.

Participants can expect to:

  • assess their skills and experience and explore a new world of opportunities.
  • get clarity on which of the many options best satisfy their individual passions, values and strengths.
  • understand the value of each person's expertise to the "outside" world and how to position skills in appropriate ways.
  • learn to plan ahead and develop the right networks and experience to pursue a new direction in the future.
  • gain insight into the reality of volunteer, portfolio and non-executive roles in different sectors and contexts and get practical advice on how to access them.
  • develop a very different network of peers for sharing, testing, questioning and supporting after the course ends.
  • gain inspiration and support at an individual level to make the transition to a new and fulfilling phase of life.

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What is the course format?

What Next is an intensive residential course over four days based at Saïd Business School with a one day follow up six months on.

The course combines visits and contributions from external specialists - all of whom have been through a similar transition and are able to share their insights.

The follow on day is tailored to what the participants agree they would like to focus on - which could be a topic like the use of social media.

Where is What Next held?

What Next residential is run annually at Saïd Business School with a one-day follow up taking place six months after course completion.

Upcoming courses

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What is the cost to attend What Next?

The course fee is £4,700 + VAT.

If your organisation has between 2 and 249 staff, you may be eligible for grants for leadership training.

Financial Assistance

Applicants who cannot pay the full fee should not be deterred from applying. There are a number of almost full (every participant must make some contribution) and part bursary places provided on every Common Purpose course for participants who are genuinely unable - as opposed to unwilling - to meet the full fee.

If you would like to apply for a bursary, please fill in the section of the form for bursary candidates. If you need to discuss this further, please contact your local Common Purpose office.

Common Purpose Plus
Everyone who has completed a Common Purpose course will be offered a 20% reduction on the fee of any future courses they attend. Please notify us in your course application if you wish to apply for this reduction.

How can I apply to attend What Next?

Complete the online application form at right and choose the date and location you want.

You can also download the What Next Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form and send both by post or fax to the Common Purpose London office.

For more about the overall application process, please visit the application page.

 

I would like to apply for:
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Organisation Details
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How did you hear about this Common Purpose course?
The following information will be used by the What Next? Advisory Group to determine whether you will be offered a place on the course
If you have a disability that requires us to make a reasonable adjustment to enable you to apply, please tick and we will contact you.
What do you hope to gain from What Next?
If you currently hold Chair, Trustee or other non-executive roles, please provide details.
Please note that a current CV is also required.
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Please indicate your areas of interest (check all that apply)












Financial information and assistance
Please tick here to confirm your willingness to pay the full fee for this course
There are a few part-fees available for candidates who can demonstrate a clear need for financial assistance. To be considered, please document your need below
Completing your application
We may also use your contact details to send you information about other courses and activities we offer.
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We may publish your contact details to the members of your participant group as part of the information distributed prior to the programme.
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We may publish your contact details including email address to graduates of Common Purpose worldwide and to members of the Common Purpose Advisory Groups.
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Terms & Conditions
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"What Next? challenges at many levels - personal and professional. The recognition that this applies to all the participants, at whatever career level they may be, encourages growth in sometimes unexpected ways.

There are many pre-retirement courses - What Next? is different. Not just time to explore what could be possible in the next several years, but inspiration and expertise on ways to make a real difference. And it was fun!"

Maggie McLean, Headteacher, Meltham CE Primary School, West Yorkshire

"Both the opportunity to meet such a diverse and interesting group of delegates, and to hear about the experience and insights from such a varied and talented group of Advisors, would make me recommend "What Next?" wholeheartedly."

Georgette Harrison, former Director and Head of UK Retail Marketing, F&C Asset Management plc

Read an impact story from Dave Wheeler, former Chief Superintendant for Lincolnshire Police, now Performance Coach.