Become part of the SRLP Network!

The Scottish Rural Leadership Programme (SRLP) will return this year from October 2025 to March 2026.

The Programme is led by Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with Highland and Islands Enterprise and the South of Scotland Enterprise and delivered by Elevator UK.

If you are a business owner, director, or senior member of a rural or island based business or organisation, and you believe it’s time to view your business from a new perspective, then this programme is for you!

The programme is designed for Rural Leaders who have:

• Ambition – Desire to grow your business/organisation to the next level, to understand the importance of collective responsibility to achieve growth and have deep resonance with community and place
• Capability – Appetite to develop strategic awareness, world class leadership skills and an open mind to be inspired and develop creative thinking
• Commitment –  Motivation to make the step change in themselves and their organisation and believe in the addition of their value at every session.

The SRLP will guide participants on a transformative journey for both their business and personal growth. The programme will galvanise action and inspire creative development and includes:

• Industry leading training – including delivery by James Withers, Alison Milne, Shona Mitchell and Andrew Cameron
• Peer Group mentoring – working together to change the dial in Scotland’s rural economy
• Networking – relationships that will galvanise a rural voice, collaboration and you will become part of the wider Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership alumni of 800 like-minded Rural Leaders
• Coaching – working through challenges and opportunities to drive growth and business change
• Innovation – changing your mindset, exploring and creating the ideas that will transform your business and the economy

Past participants of the programme include Ruaridh Waugh of Ardgay Game and Sophie Whitehead of Shetland Jewellery.

Ruaridh said of the programme:

“It gave me a much deeper sense of community and reassurance. The connections reinforced the importance of collaboration and gave me a supportive network I can reach out to.”

Sophie stated:

“The programme challenged me to think bigger, to reach higher, and to set those goals in action. It gave me the confidence to believe even more in what we’re doing.”

To support those interested in taking part in this years programme Elevator are hosting three free information sessions online to help people find out how the programme works, hear from programme alumni and provide an opportunity to ask questions.

There are several ways to learn more about the SRLP:

• Got a question? Elevator are here to help applicants, feel free to email them here
• Prefer to browse? Download the info flyer here for all the key details.
• Want the full picture? Head over to the dedicated website here to explore more.

The first info session is on 16th July. Two further sessions will be held on 31 July and 18 August.

To register for one of the sessions, sign up at the Eventbrite page: Scottish Rural Leadership Programme 25/26 – Info Sessions Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite