Future Leaders Programme for Surgeons

FLP is a 12-month blended learning programme supporting ST8, SAS and those in the first years of consultancy with the passion to be future leaders within surgery and equip them with the advanced leadership skills needed to excel. The programme is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd).

Participants will complete an educational project to provide a vehicle for learning and developing leadership skills.

Fees

£3,960 including VAT which includes all fees, learning materials and day delegate hospitality, but does not cover travel, evening meals or accommodation. There is also a £250.00 admin fee payable to RCSEd

Eligibility

The Future Leaders Programme (FLP) is open to general surgeons, ENT, urology, OMFS, breast, vascular, cardiothoracic, neuro, paediatric and plastic surgeons.

All participants must be RCSEd members by 1 October 2026 to be eligible for the programme.

Funding

Funding is likely available from the Urology Foundation, BAOMS, BAPS, ENT UK, MDDUS, SBNS and Integra

[Note: for the Trauma & Orthopaedic surgeons, please visit the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) website: BOA Future Leaders Programme].

Application Pack

Please see the application pack tab. All necessary documents must be submitted to p.rafferty@rcsed.ac.uk by the 29th of May 2026

Convenor

Ms Lisa Hadfield-Law, Lisa Hadfield Law – Lisa Hadfield-Law

Foundations in Surgical & Dental Leadership

Please note we also offer the following programmes

Foundations in Surgical Leadership (FSL) | RCSEd

Foundations in Dental Leadership (FDL) | RCSEd

Associated Documents

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Written Testimonials

Alice Hartley, Consultant Urological Surgeon

"I have done quite a bit of leadership training in the past (ex-military) but unlike the mandatory 3 day leadership course you have to do prior to CCT I have really found that this one has stretched me.

You can work on it as much as you want. They are also flexible with the deadlines - they know we are all busy and it is useful to have targets to work towards but sometimes life gets in the way and they understand that.

The bespoke evaluations have also been very useful. We have been asked to do various tests which demonstrate our leadership style, and in combination with the workbooks and personal development plans, I really feel I have a far better insight into my strengths and weaknesses.

The symbiosis of the course with a leadership project is a brilliant concept, as it helps put the theory into practice. So often I go on non-technical courses and come away with great ideas but then if I don't use them straight away the skills fade. This forces the application of the theory into a tangible output. Given that the content and scope of the project is entirely up to us, we can push ourselves or tread cautiously depending on our own circumstances.

It has also been great connecting with UK wide surgeons at the same stage of their careers, in a variety of specialties. I have made some close links with colleagues I have met on the course who have really contributed to my project (which is for prostate cancer patients) despite them not having any urological experience.

Essentially I cannot rate it highly enough."

Dave M Riding, Consultant Vascular Surgeon

"The Future Leaders Programme has been a stimulating and enriching course that has re-framed my understanding of effective leadership. The course is perfectly pitched at surgeons approaching the end of training and the beginning of consultancy, and has given me a much clearer idea of how to negotiate my way to success in the context of a highly pressurised NHS.

A significant proportion of the learning and reflection can be done flexibly, and I have found it straightforward to combine the course with my clinical practice. Importantly, I have enjoyed the experience of meeting like-minded surgeons from other specialties, and the face-to-face sessions have been both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Lisa Hadfield-Law and Humphrey Scott are superb course directors, and provide just the right amount of guidance, whilst ensuring that each participant is intellectually stretched. I would have no hesitation in recommending the course to any surgeon seeking to build a firm foundation for their future leadership career."

Future Leaders Programme for Surgeons (FLP)

Key Facts