Training
CIFAL Surrey provides sustainability training accredited by UNITAR, supporting individuals and organisations to create meaningful change worldwide.
Corporate Sustainability Leadership Programme
Developing the capabilities to build resilient, competitive and future-ready organisations.
Programme aim
The Corporate Sustainability Leadership Programme equips business leaders with the knowledge, strategic frameworks and practical tools to embed sustainability across organisational strategy, operations and decision-making. By building internal capacity for sustainability leadership, the programme strengthens organisational resilience, enhances business performance, supports innovation and creates long-term value for organisations and their stakeholders.
Through practical frameworks and applied tools, participants learn how to translate sustainability ambitions into clear strategies, measurable actions and lasting business impact.
Who the programme is for
The programme is aimed at business owners and senior decision-makers across organisations of all sizes. In particular, the programme is suitable for:
- Chief executive officers and managing directors
- Executive and senior leadership teams
- Department heads and functional managers
- Operations, HR, finance, and strategy leaders.
The programme is modular and practical, making it suitable for organisations at different stages of their sustainability journey, from establishing strategic foundations to embedding sustainability across operations.
Implementation focus
The programme is designed as an applied executive development training, focused not on theoretical learning, but on enabling participants to translate sustainability principles into organisational action. Using globally recognised and accredited frameworks, tools and methodologies, participants will develop the capability to implement effective sustainability strategies within their organisations.
Each module is designed to build individual and organisational capacity, equipping leaders with the resources and practical approaches needed to continue this work with their teams and embed sustainability into everyday decision-making.
Learning highlights
- Three hours in-person training at the Centre for Training for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) and the University of Surrey
- One hour online ‘accountability and implementation’ follow-up session, 30 days after the module
- Permanent access to the learning materials
- Ongoing support through the CIFAL Surrey exclusive sustainability peer-to-peer learning group
- UNITAR certificate for professional development, upon successful completion of the module
- Access to a calendar of events held by CIFAL Surrey and the Institute for Sustainability at the University of Surrey
- Access to further consultancy, support, and co-designed bespoke training (on-demand).
Key information
- Location: Thomas Telford Building, Institute for Sustainability, Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey.
- Price per module: £40 (for SME) and £80 (large business) (VAT exempt)
- Concession tickets: We have two concession tickets available for local micro and small enterprises. Please email cifal@surrey.ac.uk to apply.
- Group discounts: We offer discounted packages for groups of three employees and above. Please email cifal@surrey.ac.uk to apply.
Bookings for this programme will open soon.
Meet your trainers
Professor Amelia Hadfield
Director of CIFAL Surrey; Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainability
Professor Tazeeb Rajwani
Professor of International Business and Strategy, University of Surrey Business School; CIFAL Senior Advisor
Dr Saori Sugeno
Senior Lecturer in Finance and Corporate Governance, University of Surrey Business School; CIFAL Senior Advisor
Dr Roberta Discetti
Lecturer in Business Ethics and Sustainability, and CIFAL Training Director, Institute for Sustainability
Dr Nayanee Silva
Associate Lecturer in Corporate Sustainability; Senior Advisor Corporate Sustainability and Strategic Partnerships CIFAL Surrey
Dr Matteo Giusti
Researcher in Sustainability Science and Surrey Future Fellow, Institute for Sustainability; CIFAL Senior Advisor
Pat Dwyer
Founder, The Purpose Business; CIFAL Senior Advisor for Purpose-Driven Leadership
Kat Mack
Head of Engagement at Surrey Research Park; CIFAL Senior Advisor
Our inaugural CIFAL discovery session.
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