16 September 2026
Organisations across the UK know their leaders need to develop differently. The pressures are real – shifting workforce expectations, the rise of AI, hybrid working and a growing demand for managers who can coach, not just direct. The question isn't whether leadership development needs to change. It's how.
ILM has been listening – and responding. The result is a refreshed portfolio of leadership and management and coaching and mentoring programmes built specifically for what employers, learners and training providers need right now.
What we’ve been hearing from employers
Through ongoing conversations with employers navigating workforce transformation, and training providers delivering ILM qualifications, three needs consistently emerge:
Flexibility matters: Organisations need development that flexes around their structure, their people and the pace of change they’re managing. Rigid, one-size-fits-all programmes no longer reflect how organisations operate or how people learn today.
Developing leaders through knowledge and practice: Whether through knowledge-based learning, workplace application, or a combination of both, employers want leadership development that equips managers with the confidence, competence and capability to make a measurable difference. The most effective qualifications build understanding of leadership and management principles while enabling learners to apply their learning in real-world contexts, helping to improve individual performance and organisational outcomes.
Developing coaching capability to drive performance: Employers increasingly recognise coaching and mentoring as critical leadership capabilities. They are seeking development solutions that enable managers and leaders to coach effectively, support growth, improve performance and navigate change. The greatest value comes from building coaching skills that are applied consistently and professionally, creating measurable benefits for individuals, teams and the wider organisation.
As employer needs continue to evolve, ILM's refreshed portfolio has been designed to reflect the realities of today's workplace. Combining flexibility, leadership capability and coaching expertise, it helps organisations develop confident, capable leaders who can drive performance, support their people and lead effectively through change.
Introducing ILM’s refreshed leadership portfolio
The refreshed ILM leadership and management and coaching and mentoring portfolio has been redesigned to better reflect the realities of today’s workplace, with qualifications that balance knowledge development, practical application and professional coaching capability.
The portfolio offers greater choice and clearer progression, enabling organisations to select development pathways that align with their priorities and workforce needs. Whether you’re looking for ILM leadership and management qualifications or coaching and mentoring qualifications, the refreshed offer provides relevant, flexible development opportunities for first-line managers, middle managers and senior leaders.
The new portfolio includes leadership and management qualifications at levels 3 and 5, alongside coaching and mentoring qualifications at levels 3, 5 and 7. Together, they provide structured progression opportunities that support learners as they build capability, deepen expertise and extend their impact throughout their careers.
What makes it different
Practical leadership capability at every level: The portfolio is structured around real leadership challenges, not abstract theory. From first-line managers stepping up for the first time to senior leaders navigating organisational change, each stage builds on the last with clear, measurable outcomes.
A portfolio designed for evolving leadership needs: The refreshed portfolio brings together updated coaching and mentoring qualifications and new leadership and management qualifications, helping organisations develop the capabilities leaders need today. From emotional intelligence and coaching skills to leadership and management expertise, the offer has been redesigned to reflect changing workplace demands.
Clear, visible progression pathways: One of the most consistent pieces of feedback from providers and employers is that learners want to see where their development is heading. The refreshed portfolio makes that journey visible, from early leadership through to senior and executive development, with connected ILM courses at every stage.
The value for employers, providers and learners
The portfolio has been designed with three audiences in mind, and the value for each is distinct.
For employers: A more direct link between ILM training and organisational performance. Better-equipped managers mean more engaged teams, stronger retention and faster adaptation to change. Leadership investment is a measurable driver of results.
For training providers: A cleaner, more coherent structure to deliver, with ILM’s credibility behind it. The end-to-end portfolio makes it easier to position ILM’s leadership and management provision within a broader offer, build long-term learner journeys and demonstrate consistent quality to employer clients.
For learners: Recognition that matters, progression that’s visible and development that prepares them for the realities of leading people in a complex, changing world.
Find out more at our upcoming webinars
The refreshed portfolio is one part of a broader shift in how ILM is approaching leadership development and our upcoming webinars are the best place to see it all come together.
ILM Level 5 Leadership & Management Development qualifications launch with Level 3 recap
Tuesday 22 September, 09:00–10:15am BST
Reserve your place
ILM Levels 3, 5 and 7 Coaching & Mentoring qualifications launch
Monday 28 September, 09:30–10:45am BST
Reserve your place
