Leadership in Large Charity Organisations
The UK charity sector faces a “triple crunch” of rising costs, reduced income, and increased demand, creating a critical need for strategic leadership and volunteer recruitment.
Edinburgh Napier University’s Leadership in Large Charity Organisations course offers an intensive, accredited program designed to equip senior leaders with essential governance and strategic skills to navigate these challenges.
Louise Stewart, Director of Scotland at Withyou, a UK charity that provides free, confidential drug, alcohol, and mental health recovery support, is a recent participant.
Louise has worked with the charity for 16 years, in a number of roles, and joined the Edinburgh Napier course last year, after being promoted to her role overseeing all operations in Scotland.
In Scotland, Withyou operates across 11 local authority areas, supporting more than 14,000 people annually. Services range from clinical treatment and harm reduction to community-based support and digital webchats, with operations covering urban hubs in Glasgow to rural locations in Argyll & Bute.
“We are with you is 60 next year, so processes are well established, but Scotland operates under devolved health and legal systems. I was told about the course by a peer working in another charity, just after I was promoted into my role as a director. It was ideal timing for me.
“I knew I needed to develop my skills to face the challenges of my new role. I knew Napier, and also Charity Leadership Scotland, which also facilitates the course, and I knew instantly that I had to do it to get the right foundations.
“I now feel I could be a CEO one day, and getting exposure to other senior charity leaders in Scotland was perfect for me. I hope to be a role model to my family and our staff teams.
“Going on the course has benefited my organisation. I got the skills I needed, and also a network to draw on. I particularly loved the parts on vision, mission and purpose and I draw on that and talk about that all the time.
“The course covers the stuff that drives you and focuses on how to keep the charity safe. For anyone thinking is it worth doing, I’d say: resoundingly, yes. Do this short course, for the learning, the connections… no question – it’s packed with useful information but not overwhelming; and it gives exposure to great guest speakers from other organisations. Embrace the chance, I 100% recommend it.”
📣 Leadership Development for Large Charity Organisations (Short Course)
📆 18th & 19th May and 1st June (2026)
🧭 Craiglockhart Campus, The Business School, Edinburgh Napier University
🔎 Details and booking: https://lnkd.in/euhzsYHJ
🔅 Who is this course for?
This course is designed for large charities and their employees in upper management roles who seek to transition to CEO / Director roles within 1 to 3 years.
🔆 Why this course?
In response to the ‘2025 Scottish Voluntary Sector Workforce Survey’, Charity Leadership Scotland‘s ‘(CLS) Leadership Report’ warns that “there is fragility in the leadership pipeline for Scotland. Among managers, 30% report they only to some extent have the skills and support they need, frequently citing a lack of leadership training.” (March, 2026)
💡 Accordingly, as a partner, CLS is supporting their ‘Aspiring Leaders’ members with fully funded places on this Edinburgh Napier The Business School 3 day short course (CPD) ‘Leadership Development for Large Charity Organisations’