The Growth Circle 2026-2027

05 Oct 2026 - 01 Mar 2027

  • Support
  • Impact
  • Programme

Applications for The Growth Circle 2026-2027 are now open.

Calling founders and CEOs of established social enterprises and charities.

You want to grow your organisation and increase its impact, but you need...

➔ Protected time and space to think?
➔ A method for growing your leadership and the abilities of your wider team?
➔ Support, ideas and encouragement from peers in a similar position?
➔ Expert advice to help grow your organisation?

We’ve designed The Growth Circle for you.

The programme consists of three main elements:

  • Learn skills to be a leader coach: Practice the fundamentals of coaching and consider how to apply a coaching approach within your leadership to get more from the people around you.

  • Peer support and exchange on key leadership topics: Connect with other senior leaders and share your experiences of the common challenges of senior charity/social enterprise leadership.

  • Expert help to grow your organisation: In addition to the programme sessions, you'll benefit from up to four days of tailored support from Social Investment Scotland Business Associates. Their expertise covers areas such as legal and financial advice, property, procurement, equity, diversity and inclusion, and team development. You'll also have the chance to discuss social investment with the Social Investment Scotland team and explore whether it could help your organisation achieve its goals.

Apply for The Growth Circle today!

Closing date 1st September 2026

Click to complete the online form

Programme format

  • Join a cohort of sixteen experienced leaders drawn from diverse established organisations across Scotland, all looking to grow and extend their impact.
  • The programme runs from October 2026 to March 2027, providing you with support to build your leadership skills and your organisation’s growth.
  • Four sessions held in-person in the peace and calm of The Barracks, Stirling.
  • Comprehensive learning materials and resources you can use with your own team.
  • Expert support to help your organisation grow from the SIS team and our panel of Business Associates.

Programme lead

Jane Bruce

Jane Bruce, SIS Associate and founder of Brilliant Leaders

Jane Bruce is a SIS Associate and the founder of Brilliant Leaders. She is a former charity/social enterprise CEO, accredited Executive Coach and designer of inspiring, accessible learning programmes.

Before setting up Brilliant Leaders, Jane was Chief Executive of Social Bite in Scotland. In this role, Jane led a team of 100+ staff and 90 volunteers to run a chain of social enterprise cafes, mass fundraising events and innovative housing programmes.

Previously, Jane was Chief Executive of Venture Scotland, which provides a wilderness-based development programme for young people facing tough challenges.

Alongside Brilliant Leaders, Jane is a qualified football coach having previously played football in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.

Leading a growing charity or social enterprise is a complex challenge. We’ve designed this programme to give you time and space to consider your approach as a leader and how you might sharpen your skills to get the best from the people around you. At the same time, you’ll have the chance to compare notes on key leadership topics with other senior leaders in a supportive and safe environment. You’ll also get direct, practical support from the Social Investment Scotland team in areas most relevant to your organisation. We’re excited to help you and your organisation grow and make the biggest possible difference.”

Jane Bruce

Programme Leader

Programme co-facilitators

  • Dan Gerrard - Dan leads on partnership development at The Yard - a leading charity for disabled children - and is an experienced coach and facilitator.

  • Claire Carpenter - Claire was founder and CEO of The Melting Pot - Scotland’s centre for social innovation - and is an experienced coach, facilitator and speaker.

  • Sam Anderson - Sam was co-founder of the award-winning young people’s health and wellbeing charity, The Junction, and is an experienced coach and facilitator.

  • Jo Gage - Jo is an organisation and leadership development specialist with over 30 year’s experience working in large charities including Cancer Research UK and across other sectors including government, corporate and education settings.

Programme outline

Who is this programme for?

  • Experienced leaders who have been managing staff and/or volunteer teams for five years or more.
  • CEOs, founders, and members of senior leadership teams within established charities and social enterprises.
  • Organisations that are already making a significant impact in their communities and are looking to grow and develop further.

What people say about The Growth Circle:

The programme has had a significant impact on me as a leader. It has strengthened my self-awareness and helped me reflect more critically on my leadership style and decision-making. Through the learning and discussions with peers, I have developed greater confidence in leading teams, managing change, and approaching challenges more strategically.”

Debbi McCulloch

CEO at Spartans Foundation

The coaching approaches and leadership frameworks have encouraged me to focus more on empowering others, building capability within the team, and creating an environment where individuals feel confident to contribute ideas and take ownership.”

Helene Rodger

Executive Director at Passion4Fusion

Ways to apply

Applications will close on Tuesday 1st September 2026

We will be in touch as soon as possible after that to let you know if your application has been successful.

In the meantime, please save the four programme dates:

  • Monday 5th October, 10am - 3:30pm
  • Monday 23rd November, 10am - 3:30pm
  • Monday 11th January, 10am - 3:30pm
  • Monday 1st March, 10am - 3:30pm

Programme accessibility

We are committed to ensuring our programmes are accessible and inclusive. If you have access requirements and would like us to make any adjustments to enable you to apply for this programme and/or take part in programme activities, please email Julie Kyle, Market Building Manager, at julie@socialinvestmentscotland.com.