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We know that the strength of our business lies in our people, so that’s why we developed Elgin Essentials, a bespoke leadership programme that empowers our leaders with practical tools and skills to navigate the challenges of a growing organisation.
This programme ran across three sessions, each lasting three days, and focused on key areas like decision-making, leadership, emotional intelligence, partnership-building, and effective communication. We also explored practical skills such as managing projects, contracts, and commercial ventures - areas that bring immediate value as Elgin continues to expand.
Elgin Essentials is about making a meaningful investment in our team and creating an environment where people can see a long-term future with the company.
Why Elgin Essentials Matters
Leadership development has always been a priority for Elgin, but we knew a one-size-fits-all programme wouldn’t work. Instead, we built something tailored to the challenges and opportunities our team faces every day.
“The programme was grounded in real-life examples from Elgin’s operations,” explained Louise Reynolds, Group Financial Controller at Elgin and one of the participants. “That made it easy to see how the concepts applied to our day-to-day work. It went beyond theory; it was real, practical, and relevant.”
Caroline Dunne, Head of People and Culture at Elgin, reinforced the importance of leadership training: “We don’t see professional development as optional - it’s a core part of how we operate. The Elgin Essentials programme is designed to equip our leaders with the skills and confidence they need to take ownership, inspire their teams, and navigate the challenges of a growing business.”
She acknowledged that balancing the training with day-to-day responsibilities wasn’t always easy, but the structure of the programme ensured participants could apply their learning straight away. "Investing in leadership training strengthens the entire company. By making time for programmes like this, we’re building a leadership team that is engaged, forward-thinking, and ready to drive our business forward."
One of the standout themes of the programme was communication. Whether it’s managing up, supporting your team, or collaborating across departments, everything comes back to how well we communicate.
“Good communication is at the heart of everything we do,” Louise reflected. “It’s about being open, clear, and inclusive. It’s a skill that makes a difference in every corner of the business.”
With Elgin’s continued growth, this focus on communication has never been more important. As new team members join regularly, ensuring everyone feels included and informed is critical to maintaining the collaborative culture we value.
Putting Skills Into Action
A crucial part of the Elgin Essentials training is applying the new skills. Each participant worked on a project designed to address real challenges within the business.
For Louise’s group, that meant tackling meeting fatigue and improving delegation. They proposed actionable steps to make meetings more efficient and free up time for meaningful work. If adopted, these ideas could have a big impact on both efficiency and team satisfaction.
Another way the programme extends its impact is through a “teach-back” initiative. Participants are encouraged to share what they’ve learned with their teams, ensuring that knowledge flows throughout the organisation.
At its core, Elgin Essentials is about creating a culture of growth and collaboration. By investing in our leaders, we’re laying the foundation for sustainable growth and a stronger, more connected organisation.
This programme isn’t a one-off. It’s part of a broader commitment to building an organisation where opportunities for growth and development are open to everyone. As Caroline put it, “A strong leadership team isn’t built overnight - it takes investment, mentorship, and a commitment to continuous learning. We want every person at Elgin to know that if they step forward and take on new challenges, they will be supported, recognised, and given the opportunity to grow."
We’re proud of the work that went into Elgin Essentials and grateful to everyone who participated and organised the programme.
Programmes like this are a testament to our commitment to building a workplace where leaders inspire, teams thrive, and together, we achieve great things.
