A new organisation to give support to European
technology CEOs, including those at firms newly established by
venture capital, has been founded.
The European Leadership Programme (ELP) will encourage CEOs to
develop using each other's expertise and that of recognised
specialists in a variety of skills fields.
The ELP is headed up by Ashley Ward, who has been a CEO at
various firms, and creative development expert Natalie Turner, who
is responsible for researching and designing the ELP learning and
development programme.
The ELP is operated as an entirely independent business and is
supported by sponsoring partners specialising in support of high
growth businesses.
These include executive search firm Nexec Partners, law firm
Kemp Little, communications agency Skywrite, WPP-owned
marketing agency Banner, investment bank GPBullhound, and executive
coaching firm Praesta.
ELP says 35 technology and media CEOs and leaders have so far
joined to form the ELP, and numbers are expected to grow as
awareness spreads.
Ward said: “There has been an enormous change in the attitude of
venture capitalists towards helping their CEOs, but individual
portfolio networking groups have only provided part of the
answer.
“The ELP is unique in that it provides a confidential and
structured environment where CEOs can benefit from one another's
different expertise and skills, gain essential advice from experts,
and debate subjects critical to their performance as CEOs. This
approach has had resounding support from leading VCs,” said
Ward.
Ian Lobley, senior partner of leading venture capitalist 3i
Venture, said, “As an industry, initiatives such as the ELP will
gain our support - this programme is designed for the sole purpose
of improving the chances of success for the leaders of portfolio
companies. This has to be positive for all stakeholders
involved."
The European
Leadership Programme >>
Comment on this article:
computer.weekly@rbi.co.uk