Future Leaders share their stories as applications close for the 2026/27 Programme

We are delighted to announce the publication of the latest guest blogs from members of the Housing LIN Future Leaders Programme 2025/26 cohort. Following an inspiring year of learning, reflection and leadership development, participants have shared their personal insights, experiences and key takeaways from the programme.

The blogs explore themes including positive leadership, confidence-building, embracing change, creating supportive environments and finding purpose through leadership.

The Future Leaders Programme, sponsored by Sovereign Network Group (SNG), brings together early-career professionals from across housing, health and care to learn from senior leaders, exchange ideas and build lasting professional networks. Since its launch, more than 60 emerging leaders have participated in the programme.

Honor Westlake, Policy, Research and Projects Officer, National Care Forum and 2025/26 Future Leaders Participant, said: 

"My previous perception of leadership was largely based on high-pressure and isolated roles reserved for people already confident in their abilities, but the Future Leaders Programme challenged this. The speakers highlighted that leadership can be a vibrant, exciting experience in which you can work with others and make a real impact both within and beyond the workplace."

Discover the experiences and insights of our latest cohort below.

• Breaking the Mold: Learning That My Path Still Counts - Sam Gilly, Complaint Insight Manager, Sovereign Network Group

• Learning to Find a Sense of Home in the Unknown - Phoebe Grey, Junior Architectural Technician, Carless + Adams

• Building Your Crew: Reflections On Positive Leadership - Rebecca Brown, North London Housing Graduate, Regional Operations Team at Clarion Housing

• From data to confidence: Stepping beyond my comfort zone - Cicily Biju, Senior Data Analyst, Housing LIN

• Learning to Lead Through Change: Embracing Difference - Gavin Wu, Architect, JDDK Architects

• The Perimeter: Creating an environment where exploration never stops - Anisha Virk, Assistant Joint Commissioning Manager - Preventative Services and Supported Housing, London Borough of Hounslow

• Learning Generously, Giving Generously - Jasmine Fong, Project Management and Delivery Graduate, Enterprise Portfolio Management Office, Homes England

• Reflections on an Inspiring Year with the Housing LIN Future Leaders Network - Sarah Mitton, Head of Customer Engagement at Sovereign Network group

• Changing the World for One Person Can Change it for Many - Lizzie Lynch, Communications and Influence Lead, United St Saviour's Charity

• Taking the time to reflect - finding common threads amongst diverse leadership journeys - Megan Coe, Public Health Specialist, Integrated Health and Adult Social Care at London Borough of Lambeth

• Lessons in Leadership: What the Housing LIN Future Leaders Programme taught me - Michaela Gibbons, Area Service Manager – RCT, Codi Group

• Finding My Place in the Room - Phoebe Newton, Customer Voice & Engagement Officer at Sovereign Network Group

• Seeing My Experience Through a New Lens - Anita Hansen, Funding Manager at Sovereign Network Group

• Proud to work in Housing - Andrew Cooper, Head of Partnerships and Funding, Sovereign Network Group

• Changing perceptions and progress over perfection – reflecting on my key learnings from the Future Leaders Programme - Honor Westlake, Policy, Research and Projects Officer at the National Care Forum

Read blogs from previous cohorts here.

We also look forward to recognising the achievements of this year’s Future Leaders cohort at a special certificate presentation ceremony during our House of Lords event in July, alongside our valued supporters and partners.

As we celebrate the achievements of the 2025/26 cohort, applications for the sixth intake of the Future Leaders Programme (2026/27) are now closed. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. We were delighted by the level of interest in this year's programme and appreciate the enthusiasm shown by so many aspiring leaders from across the housing sector and related industries.

Successful applicants have now been informed and we will share more details about the programme and our plans for the year on this page.