MORE than 30 employees at a North East building society have completed a new leadership development programme that is already having a “major impact” on the business.

It is the first time Darlington Building Society has launched a formal business-wide leadership programme, and its success has been marked by a celebratory ‘graduation lunch’.

The programme was split into three levels: ‘essentials’ for first-appointment line managers; ‘embed’ for more established managers; and ‘excel’ for those with aspirations to be future executives.

Twenty-four members of staff have been equally split between the essentials and embed training, between January and July, while nine senior employees have been taking part in the excel training since last September.

Director of People and Culture, Helen Easton, said: “This is the first time the Society has formally launched a leadership programme on this scale, and the early evaluation points to it having a major impact on the business.”

Helen oversaw the excel training, alongside TwentyOne Leadership, while Gemma Dickinson, recently appointed as Head of Learning and Development, was responsible for the essentials and embed levels, with the support of Limitless Development as well as AndPartnership.

Staff involved in the excel and embed training were required to complete business-related projects as part of the learning programme, and the outcomes will all be integrated into the business strategy.

Gemma said: “What’s really pleasing is to see how the training has led to much wider collaboration within the organisation, with employees from different departments being brought together and gaining a better understanding of what everyone does. It’s been fantastic for team spirit.

“Darlington Building Society was already a happy workplace, but the training has enabled us to build on that and maximise the value of positive relationships and teamwork.”

The extra collaboration has also fed into the work of the Society’s Employee Council, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, and Women’s Network.

Deputy Chief Executive, Chris Hunter said: “Investing in our people is key to the continued success of Darlington Building Society, and this comprehensive, multi-layered leadership programme is an important example of that philosophy.

“The training has created a real buzz around the organisation, and it’s been great to see it already having a positive impact in the projects that are coming through and the way staff from across the Society are working together.”

The first phase of essentials training was focused on the branch network, and a new programme will start in September for head office staff. Another embed programme is scheduled for 2025, and a new ‘aspiring leaders’ course is planned for those with potential for future line management responsibility.