BCIA launches Inspired Leaders Programme

The Building Controls Industry Association has just completed the first ‘Inspired Leaders Programme’, an initiative designed to nurture existing, new, and future leaders within the building controls industry. The programme aligns with the BCIA’s main corporate goals, which aim to address the pressing need for leadership and people development identified in their corporate plan. The five-month trial run was fully funded by the BCIA to test whether it should be included as part of BCIA's training provision.  

Noticing a significant gap in leadership training, the BCIA developed this industry-specific programme to support companies struggling with recruitment and the rapid pace of the market. The Inspired Leaders Programme offers a unique approach to leadership development, tailored to the challenges and opportunities within the building controls sector. The course was led by Michael Holbrow, who has over thirty years in the building controls industry.

The programme was crafted to benefit seasoned Leaders to reinforce the importance of a leadership mindset to tackle demanding situations. But also to assist aspiring leaders, encouraging the early adoption of leadership skills in their roles and professional relationships. The programme emphasises "leadership beyond boundaries," welcoming both direct people managers and those leading challenging situations who have no formal line management responsibilities. It also adopts a practical approach to learning, recognising that leadership is a lifelong journey of development.

The first cohort of participants have given glowing reviews for this trial run of the course. All 14 participants, from 14 different companies, gave excellent feedback reflecting the success of achieving several key outcomes:

  • Enhanced confidence in decision-making and stress management.

  • The ability to lead effectively beyond their immediate responsibilities, optimising work situations and professional relationships.

  • The capacity to make team members feel valued and motivated.

  • Recognition from senior executives for their ability to develop others and improve team performance.

  • Delivering consistent, outstanding results, thereby gaining the approval of shareholders.

Michael, the seasoned leadership development expert, shared his experience with delivering the programme:

 "I have been delivering leadership development programmes for over five years, and the first cohort on the BCIA Inspired Leaders Programme has been the best without question. They committed to the time demands and applied the learning into their day-to-day activities. I was tasked with building a team ethos that cut through competitive barriers. This is always a difficult task, but it was successful because of the ‘openness and vulnerability’ shown by the team. I love what I do, and I do what I love; working with this team inspired me to do more and begin writing a book."

Bradley Willmoth, a participant in the programme and a member of the BCIA Young Engineer’s Network, praised Michael’s delivery:

 "I’ve had the pleasure of working with Michael for the past few months. His laid-back approach makes collaboration easy, and there’s no pressure to focus on tasks that don’t require immediate attention. Engaging with other workshop attendees and completing specific tasks has boosted my confidence and provided valuable feedback for future improvements. I look forward to working with Michael in the future."

The BCIA’s Inspired Leaders Programme stands out as a vital initiative for fostering leadership within the building controls industry. By addressing leadership training gaps and providing a structured, supportive environment for growth, the programme ensures that participants are well-equipped to lead their teams and organisations toward success.