A unique cross- sector programme to develop leaders' will and skill to harness the power of big business to address people and planet-positive system change.

A nine month immersive learning experience that stimulates both personal growth and organisational development through learning and action on a set of compelling industrial system-change initiatives.
We are facing mounting ecological, economic and social challenges that our current systems are unable and failing to address. We need to accelerate the growth and success of planet and people positive business if c.9 billion people are to live well on a healthy, liveable planet by the middle of the century.
Each year, the Leadership Vanguard works to empower cohorts of ‘intrapreneurial’ change agents, connectors, and senior organisational weather-makers (aka ‘Catalysts’) from a mix of global organisations to rise to this challenge.

The Leadership Vanguard experience supports leaders in developing the networks, mindset, and abilities to transform both their organisations and the systems in which they are embedded.
Through and beyond the programme, participants empower their leadership capabilities and networks for years to come by:
- Stepping out of familiar contexts via collaboration with peers from other sectors, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders
- Immersion in systemic problems guided by the entrepreneurs trying to address them, combining the commercial with people and planet
- Explore possible futures through enriched experiences in conjunction with cross-sector networks of innovators and change-makers
- Identify the system interventions necessary for new business models, technologies and ways of organising to thrive, scale and amplify impact
2022 programme objectives
Our nine month ‘Accelerator’ programme for senior leaders is centred on both 'north star' (i.e. permanent, long term) and 'near star' (i.e. 2-3 year) themes. In 2022 our 'north star' themes of regenerative and just business continues with a focus on generating inclusive business growth.
During 2022, our 'near star' topics will explore and develop specific transition opportunities to galvanise group inquiry, learning and action. We will also build on ongoing projects from the previous programme cycle.
These topics are still in development with our partners but may include the following:
Clean and inclusive urban transport and logistics
Over the last few decades, emissions from transport (including aviation and shipping) have rapidly increased to the point where transport accounts for over 20% of global greenhouse emissions today. Of this, a huge 75% is from road transport.
With the IEA's Net Zero Emissions 2050 Scenario requires transport emissions to reduce by 20% by 2030, it is therefore critical to the climate transition that we find ways of creating clean and safe transport, logistics infrastructure and systems that are greener and free up urban space for people.
Hydrogen and CCS in hard-to-abate industries
Renewables like solar and wind can are already supporting the decarbonisation of our homes and many industries and businesses. But for heavy industries like steel and cement, and transport like long-haul and aviation, the option to electrify with renewables doesn't exist.
For heavy industry, the heat temperatures required mean that electrification isn't possible, and for aviation battery storage isn't yet possible. Hydrogen and CCS have a lot of promise, so how might we accelerate the scale up and cost reduction of these technologies for hard-to-abate industries?
Regenerative and resilient food systems
As the global population is projected to hit 9 billion by 2050, the demand for food is expected to increase 59-98%. The food system is already responsible for 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which make this a critical sector to decarbonise and find ways to reduce the impact on land health.
Evolving the way we grow, transport and consume food will be one of the biggest challenges of this century, but how do we move to more local and environmentally friendly production and shift consumer preferences towards sustainable, regenerative and resilient food systems?
A regenerative built environment
As populations continue to move from rural areas to cities, 96% of urban growth is expected to occur in East Asia, South Asia and Africa. Demand for new housing and development will be especially acute in India, China and Nigeria; accounting for as much as 35% of the increase by 2050.
With the building and construction industry responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions, how might we design buildings, produce the materials, and implement sustainable construction processes that regenerate nature and build more vibrant communities?
Circular supply chains
Overcoming the barriers to adoption of circular supply chains in a given system continues to prove challenging as businesses struggle with the level of investment and effort required to find ways to amend complex value chains.
But with 16.5 tonnes of plastic going into our oceans each year, and with 73% millennial shoppers saying they are willing to pay more for sustainable goods; now is the time to investigate how we close the loop on material throughputs in supply chains while building economic and social value.
Digitised and decentralised energy communities
Building and scaling smart and flexible energy distribution systems will be essential to enabling greater penetration of renewables within our system. According to the IEA, to achieve our net zero goals, annual clean energy investment will need to triple to $4 trillion by 2030.
While supportive of the transition to green energy, the public has proven less enthusiastic about the investment required and the impact on energy bills. How might we enable new forms of energy exchange within communities to activate prosumers and scale investment in clean energy?
Our 2022 partners
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200+
Leaders who have participated in our Leadership Vanguard accelerator programme over the last seven years.
150
Creatives, artists, performers, and musicians who have brought new perspectives to our events and programmes.
220
CEOs who have brought their experience, perspectives, and impact to a range of Xynteo events, coalitions and programmes
Our programmes
In 2022 we are increasing the reach and impact of the programme by opening up three additional options for participation in additional to our accelerator programme.
Vanguard Open
An opportunity for emerging/high potential leaders from each partner organisation to develop their effectiveness as system change agents through facilitated virtual learning and development as part of a diverse cohort of like-minded talent.
Open participants work both independently and in tandem with participants on the Accelerator programme to develop their transition leadership will and skills.
Vanguard Reef
A dedicated online community for both current Leadership Vanguard participants and alumni, designed to maximise collaboration, action and learning.
Reef enables users to network with others, form groups around common interest, complete courses, participate in ideation challenges and access live virtual events.
Vanguard Labs
A facilitated rapid impact ‘sprint’ across 4-6 week, Labs enables rapid collaborative exploration of a specific high-potential commercial opportunity.
In a fully facilitated process, participants form hypotheses about opportunities for positive growth, undertake exploration exercises designed to test them, capture insights and re-orient towards as the opportunity comes into sharper relief. At the end they are able to present their proposition to internal stakeholders or others with greater confidence and surety.
The Leadership Vanguard program gave me the inspriation, confidence and the tools to drive systemic sustainable change.
Hanneke Willenborg
CEO of Olly (Unilever)
This is a great programme - there is nothing more important than investing in future leaders.
N Chandrasekaran
Chairman of Tata Sons
CONNECT WITH THE LEADERSHIP VANGUARD
JAMES BERESFORD
Programme Director, Leadership Vanguard