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1284 Communications founder George Oliver will deliver a session on leadership and crisis communications as part of the new Leicester Leading Together programme. 

The course, run by the St Philip’s Centre and led by Centre Director Rev Canon Dr Tom Wilson, aims to equip emerging leaders to work across organisational and community boundaries.

Its purpose is to encourage people in Leicester to ‘live well together’ across their differences.​ The programme will bring together a small cohort of leaders who aspire to more senior roles, helping them to build skills to lead change in their organisations and across the city.

Across six modules, participants will explore topics such as governance, managing self under pressure, responding to crisis, and working towards shared solutions for Leicester.​

The programme sits within a wider initiative supported by partners including Leicester City in the Community, the University of Leicester, De Montfort University, East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, as well as housing, health, cultural and faith organisations. 

The organisations are working together to develop leaders who are confident crossing institutional boundaries and collaborating to improve the city.​

George is a Non-Executive Director at East Midlands Chamber and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Leicester. He is also the Chair of city-based Charity Link, which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary.

George will talk about how programme participants can get the best out of their teams and colleagues in a crisis, including how to respond and work with others in challenging circumstances.

His session will draw on 1284’s work with public and private organisations across the East Midlands, including crisis response, stakeholder engagement and place-based storytelling. It will also offer examples from his experience of managing breaking news incidents as Editor of the Leicester Mercury. 

By contributing to Leicester Leading Together, 1284 is supporting a new network of leaders committed to inclusive, partnership-based leadership in the city.

“Leicester is at its best when organisations pull in the same direction, especially when pressure is high and the issues are sensitive,” George said.

“This programme is a great opportunity for upcoming leaders and I’ll be looking to answer the questions with examples from practical lessons I’ve learned from excellent leaders across sectors over the years. 

“Helping emerging leaders feel more confident, calm, and connected when a crisis hits benefits not just their organisations but the communities they serve too.”

Revd Canon Dr Tom Wilson, said: “Leicester Leading Together is about developing leaders who are willing to cross boundaries and work for the common good of our city. 

“George brings real-world experience of leadership and crisis communications. By combining practical skills with deep relationships across communities and sectors, we hope to equip participants to help people in Leicester live well together across their differences.”