Leadership Development Program

We equip leaders with the skills, awareness, and confidence to lead inclusively. Our programmes turn learning into action—and action into lasting change.

Introduction

Why Inclusive Leadership Development Is Essential Today

In today’s rapidly evolving and diverse world, inclusive leadership is not a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity. Organisations must move beyond surface-level initiatives and equip their leaders with the mindset and skills to drive meaningful, systemic change.

At Bakare Barley, we believe leadership should reflect the values of equity, authenticity, and impact. Our programmes are designed to support underrepresented individuals—especially racially minoritised professionals—in breaking down barriers and stepping into their power. Through trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and co-designed learning experiences, we build the leadership capacity needed to transform workplace cultures from within.

This isn’t just leadership training—it’s leadership reimagined.

Why We do

What We Do & Why It Matters

At Bakare Barley, we believe leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a practice. Our Leadership Development Program is grounded in the idea that great leaders aren’t born—they’re shaped through self-awareness, intentional growth, and a commitment to empowering others. We’re here to help you unlock your potential, build authentic influence, and lead with purpose in every space you step into.

We Prioritise Authentic Growth

We cultivate spaces where leaders can step into their roles with confidence, exploring who they are and how they want to lead without fear of judgment.

We Tailor Learning to You

Each session is designed around your leadership challenges and aspirations, making the program practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.

We See Challenge as Opportunity

We encourage leaders to lean into difficult moments, because resilience and innovation often emerge when you stretch beyond what feels comfortable.

We Build Leaders Who Build Cultures

Our focus extends beyond individual skill—it’s about equipping you to shape teams and organisations that reflect your values and vision.

We Combine Knowledge with Practice

By weaving together research, stories, and interactive learning, we ensure you don’t just understand leadership—you live it.

We Drive Enduring Impact

Our aim is long-term transformation. We give you the strategies and habits to continue growing as a leader long after the program ends.

What We Offer

Tailored Leadership Development That Inspires Growth

We deliver transformative, research-driven programs designed to meet leaders where they are—and equip them to step forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re building foundational leadership skills or strengthening existing capabilities, our offerings support growth at every stage of your journey.

Leadership
Foundations

Build a strong understanding of leadership—grounded in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and practical application.

Effective Communication

Learn how to communicate with clarity, listen with intent, and inspire confidence across diverse teams and situations.

Decision-Making
& Influence

Develop strategies for making informed, ethical decisions while building the influence needed to guide teams and drive results.

Leading Teams
with Impact

Equip yourself with tools to foster trust, encourage collaboration, and create environments where individuals and teams thrive.

Adaptive
Leadership

Understand how to navigate change, manage uncertainty, and lead with resilience in today’s fast-evolving workplace.

Customised Programmes

From one-on-one coaching to team workshops, we co-create programs tailored to your career goals, organisation, and context.

HOW IT WORKS

Practical, Personalised, and Growth-Focused

We design and deliver leadership programs tailored to your journey—equipping you with the skills, support, and confidence to create lasting impact.

Initial Discovery

We begin by exploring your leadership goals, challenges, and context. This helps us identify where you are now and what growth could look like.

Leadership
Map

We co-create a learning journey that reflects your role, organisation, and aspirations. Each session is designed to be practical, relevant, and actionable.

Engaging Delivery

Our sessions are interactive, reflective, and hands-on—pushing you to step outside your comfort zone and practise new leadership behaviours in real time.

Sustainable Growth

We embed key learnings into your leadership style and daily practice, offering ongoing support and practical tools to ensure growth lasts.

Our Experience

Decades of Insight, Grounded in Practice

With years of hands-on expertise in leadership development, we’ve partnered with professionals and organisations across industries to cultivate strong, purpose-driven leaders. Our facilitators bring together academic insight, sector-specific knowledge, and real-world leadership experience to deliver programs that inspire growth, build resilience, and create lasting impact.

Testimonial

Client Feedback & Reviews

Discover how our clients are creating lasting change and what they’re saying about the experience.

Feedback from colleagues was extremely positive and they very much liked the delivery style. Quite a few were anxious prior the session as their previous experience of EDI learning has not been positive, but they felt rejuvenated and ready to return to their work places with a clear understanding of the differences between equality and equity and feel more confident in challenging some of the practices within their establishments.

Francis N’Jie Service Manager, Adel Beck Secure Children’s Home

We recently had the pleasure of Ayo Barley delivering an insightful guest speaker session for employees at Siemens Healthineers. Ayo’s engaging and thought-provoking presentation on cultural humility made the session both enjoyable and educational. Those who attended walked away with a deeper understanding of our cultural lenses and how to foster greater cultural inclusivity both professionally and personally. Thank you, Ayo!

Grania Heal Country Head, Ireland, Siemens Healthineers

It’s a pleasure to work with Ayo. A strategic thinker with an inspiring leadership style that creates transformational change. Ayo supported the design, delivery and evaluation of our leadership and career development programme for minoritised ethnic colleagues. The impact has been life changing for all those involved, and Ayo’s contributions were invaluable to the programme success. On top of that, she also keeps you super organised! Needless to say, we’ve hooked up with Ayo again to run the programme again!

Harriet Tyler People Engagement Partner, People Team, University of Central Lancashire

Ayo worked with us to deliver training for our members on how they might increase the diversity of people they involve. She was a real pleasure to work with – she responded to our brief and made changes to her plans following discussions with us. The training she delivered was great and really hit the spot. And it was delivered in a clear, authoritative and non-threatening way. I would definitely look to work with Ayo again

Bec Hanley (she/her) For the Shared Learning Group on Involvement

Ayo is one of the most insightful and knowledgeable professionals I have had the privilege of working with. Would absolutely go as far as to say her insights on community, race equality and networking are essential listening.

Karishma Asher Race Equality Officer, University of Liverpool
What We Offer

Let’s Build Stronger Leaders — Together

Leadership isn’t a title. It’s a practice. If you’re ready to move from potential to impact, from managing to inspiring, from uncertainty to confidence—we’re ready to partner with you. Our team brings deep experience, research, and coaching expertise to help you not only envision the leader you want to be—but become it.