Building Effectiveness programme structure
We are not yet open for applications for Building Effectiveness 2026.
To register your interest please email [email protected].
Programme Content
There are two strands to the Building Effectiveness programme – the Strategic Project and the Leadership Workshops.
Strategic Project
From the start of the programme each organisation’s CEO/Senior Leader will receive 1:1 support to develop a Strategic Project, which will detail a focus area and action plan. They will then be allocated an experienced Business Mentor, who will be carefully selected to match their skills to the needs of the organisation to provide guidance and strategic support for the duration of the programme.
Together the Business Mentor and Effectiveness Coach will ensure the organisation is in the best possible position at the end of the programme. At which point, the organisation will be supported to evaluate their progress, outcomes and produce a case study report.
Leadership Workshops
As part of Building Effectiveness 2026, participants attend six Leadership Workshops. These are held in-person at Sarratt, in the inspiring Hertfordshire countryside, generously hosted by Building Effectiveness co-founder, Will Hobhouse.
The leadership workshops focus on specific themes – chosen to support some of the challenges that organisations face when going through a change programme. Workshops involve exercises carried out in pairs or groups, plenary discussions and sharing. Practical tools and resources will be provided for attendees to take back to their organisations.
Programme dates
Participating organisations must commit to attending all sessions.
Date |
Programme Delivery |
Time / Duration |
Location |
Attendance required by: |
Wednesday 16th September 2026 |
Introduction to the programme |
10:00–12:00 |
HCF Offices, Hatfield |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
|
September / October 2026 |
Strategic Project briefing session 1:1 with Effectiveness Coach |
1.5 hours |
Online (or In-person) |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
Wednesday 14th October 2026 |
Themed Leadership Workshop 1 |
10:00–16:00 |
Sarratt, hosted by Will Hobhouse |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
October / November 2026 |
Strategic Project briefing session 1:1 with Business Mentor |
1 hour |
Online (or In-person) |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
Wednesday 18th November 2026 |
Themed Leadership Workshop 2 |
10:00–16:00 |
Sarratt, hosted by Will Hobhouse |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
December 2026 |
Building Effectiveness Alumni Event |
TBC |
TBC |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
Wednesday 20th January 2027 |
Themed Leadership Workshop 3 |
10:00–16:00 |
Sarratt, hosted by Will Hobhouse |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
Wednesday 27th January 2027 |
Chairs session 1 |
10:00-12:00 |
HCF Offices, Hatfield |
Chair (or equivalent) |
Wednesday 10th March |
Themed Leadership Workshop 4 |
10:00–16:00 |
Sarratt, hosted by Will Hobhouse |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
Wednesday 14th April |
Themed Leadership Workshop 5 |
10:00–16:00 |
Sarratt, hosted by Will Hobhouse |
CEO/Senior Leader |
Wednesday 5th May 2027 |
Chairs session 2 |
10:00-12:00 |
HCF Offices, Hatfield |
Chairs (or equivalent) |
Wednesday 12th May 2027 |
Themed Leadership Workshop 6 |
10:00–16:00 |
Sarratt, hosted by Will Hobhouse |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
Fridays 21st May 2027 |
Case studies handed in |
|||
Wednesday 9th June 2027 |
Closing ceremony |
10:00–14:00 |
Sarratt, hosted by Will Hobhouse |
CEO/ Senior Leader |
Friday 25th June 2027 |
Feedback completed |
|||
*Note- Mentor 1:1s and additional 1:1s with Effectiveness Coaches will occur outside of this schedule and will be arranged closer to the time.
Effectiveness Coach: Dawn Harrison-Wallace
Dawn started her career with Shell International, before launching her own consultancy 25 years ago, specialising in organisational development and change management. Whilst initially remaining in the commercial sector, for the last decade Dawn has worked in the not-for-profit sector both as an Associate for the Cranfield Trust and taking on Interim Charity COO/CEO roles - most recently with Refugee Youth where she covered the role of CEO for 3 years.
Dawn specialises in working alongside senior managers and team leaders to bring about effective implementation of business strategies and change initiatives through a blend of consultancy, coaching and facilitation.
Effectiveness Coach: Vivianne Child
Vivianne is passionate about charities that make a difference in their communities.
Vivianne gained an MBA before qualifying as an executive coach, with an NLP bias. Her change management and coaching work has seen her working for clients including Cranfield University, Whitbread, Camelot, The Church of England, Bank of America and Volvo. She is also Chief Executive of the charity Tring Together which encompasses BusinessMart; the award- winning Hertfordshire business networking group.
Her other work for HCF includes training and consulting on the Better Boards Programme, particularly around being a charity trustee and the working relationships between Chairs, CEOs and the Trustees.
Business Mentors
Our professional mentors are vital to the success of Building Effectiveness, and we are very grateful to all those who give their time voluntarily to support charity leaders in Hertfordshire.
The Building Effectiveness Team
