As ethnic minority leaders, there have been many barriers and challenges to overcome to reach the career heights that our guests from the NLC Accelerate Programme have done, and in the second of our four-part miniseries with the National Leadership Centre (NLC), we hear about some of these challenges and how the delegates have managed to surmount them.
Joined by Mohit Venkataram, Executive Commercial Director at East London Foundation Trust, and Acosia Nyanin, Regional Chief Nurse for the South East at NHS England & NHS Improvement (NHSE/I), our host Matt Roberts was able to delve into some of the root experiences and explore very honest, candid answers from the guests.
One of the biggest elements, and one which the NLC Accelerate Programme was able to directly intervene and help with, was the construction of strong, valuable networks of like-minded, driven public leaders; leaders who often otherwise might not have crossed paths.
Through both the building of connections among the course cohort, and the implementation of a mentor system, the NLC Accelerate delegates were able to connect, learn and share in confidence.
As Mohit explained: “I think it’s often felt that one is alone in the room. It has felt like that for a long time.
“It is incredibly important to feel in your heart that you have a network, where you can bounce off ideas and where you can feel comfortable, and there’s a safe space to have an open discussion.
“The pandemic made a difference. It taught us that our strength comes in being a group, a collective and in not competing with each other but recognising the experiences we bring in together as a group which makes a difference to the lives of people that we are here to serve.”
Listen to the full conversation with Mohit and Acosia and discover how these two inspirational public sector leaders have overcome barriers and challenges in their career, with the support of the NLC Accelerate Programme,
The NLC Accelerate Programme brings together 20 high-performing ethnic minority leaders from across public services, who are currently working at Deputy CEO level and aiming to become CEO-level leaders within their respective fields.
Applications for the new 2021/22 cohort of the NLC Accelerate are open until September 24, 2021. Those keen to take part in this year’s course can register their interest here.
Listen to the full NLC x PSE podcast episode with Mohit and Acosia below:
