The Rising Stars Development Programme, delivered in a partnership between the University of Edinburgh Business School and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, is a six-session, in-person leadership development course designed to accelerate the growth of early-career professionals and aspiring future leaders.

Building on the success of the Rising Stars Networking Evenings, this programme combines academic expertise, practical workshops, and insights from senior business leaders. It supports businesses in nurturing emerging talent and strengthening their leadership pipeline.

Who should apply

This programme is ideal for:

  • Early-career professionals preparing to step into leadership roles.
  • Identified “rising stars” within organisations.
  • Ambitious individuals seeking to enhance their professional toolkit, business acumen, and personal brand.

What participants will gain

Participants will:

  • Develop strategic thinking skills using AI and innovation tools.
  • Strengthen emotional intelligence and resilience.
  • Gain practical approaches to leading high-performing teams.
  • Enhance communication and presentation skills.
  • Build a personal leadership brand to support career progression.
  • Expand their professional network across sectors.

For employers: Invest in your future leaders

By enrolling employees, organisations can:

  • Strengthen succession planning.
  • Retain and engage top talent.
  • Support a culture of continuous learning.
  • Build leadership capacity across Edinburgh’s business community.

Sessions

Session Theme
1 Beyond gut feel – AI-enhanced strategic thinking
2 Emotional intelligence & self-management
3 Leadership & team dynamics
4 Effective communication & presentation skills
5 Developing your leadership / personal branding roadmap
6 Innovation & problem solving

Programme fee (January 2026 cohort)

Member rate: £1,500 + VAT

Non-member rate: £1,700 + VAT

Location

TBC

Cancellation Policy

Full refund available if cancellation is made 28 days or more before the programme start date.

No refund for cancellations received less than 28 days before the start date.

Substitutions permitted at no extra cost if arranged 14 days or more before the programme begins.

Please note: refunds cannot be offered for missed individual sessions.

It is still to be confirmed if this programme will run again, but we recommend registering your interest to receive any updates.