University helps government communicators on the road to strategic leadership

A bespoke postgraduate programme for senior communicators in the Government Communication Service has begun at the University of Huddersfield.

GCS Advance Leader is the new leadership programme for senior communications leaders in the GCS. It aims to help senior communicators make the transition to strategic leadership positions within the Senior Civil Service.

Its 37 participants have gone through a highly competitive process to gain their place and will receive a Postgraduate Diploma after 15 months with the option to progress to an MSc in Strategic Communication Leadership.

Having won a public tender and secured three annual cohorts for the academic years 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27, the programme is managed within the Executive Education area of the University’s School of Business, Education and Law.

GCS Advance Leader comprises seven in-person and online modules focused on topics such as the strategic role of comms in Government, leadership styles, the figures of the trusted adviser and the internal consultant, as well as influence, innovation, persuasion, organisational change, and resilience, among others.

The development of participants’ reflective practice is another fundamental element that learners work on throughout the whole programme. 

Dr Gabriel Sadi, Course Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, said: “It is both a privilege and an enormous responsibility to welcome these leading government communicators to our University, as the programme represents an essential factor in their career development and their route to top positions within the Government Communication Service.”

The programme benefits from the presence of world-renowned tutors such as Emeritus Professor Anne Gregory, who is the University’s first Professor of Corporate Communication and has lengthy experience as a consultant for the UK Government. She has worked with the GCS and other Government entities for more than 20 years, teaching various courses focused on strategic communication and leadership.

The Government Communication Service is the professional association for public service communicators working in over 40 ministerial and non-ministerial departments and more than 300 agencies and other public entities, with over 7,000 members throughout the UK.

"The GCS Advance Leader programme is a cornerstone of our work to foster exceptional talent and drive excellence in government communications,” stated Simon Baugh, GCS’ Chief Executive.

“Partnering with the expert team at the University of Huddersfield, this ambitious programme is designed to equip learners with the skills, networks, and experiences for the most senior leadership roles in government. Ultimately, it's about cultivating empowered leaders who are evidence-driven, embrace innovation and have the confidence to lead multidisciplinary teams in an environment of complex challenges and decision-making.”

The University of Huddersfield began its partnership with the GCS over 10 years ago, supporting the development of over 200 senior government communications professionals.