IT is always a pleasure to be asked to speak at events and share some of the experiences I’ve had over the last 30years in my career.

So, as the sun well and truly switched on to Swindon last Thursday, the hottest day of the year so far, I found myself talking at a seminar for future leaders at Steam.

It was the launch of an innovative programme developed in partnership with the University of West of England designed to develop the next group of leaders ready to tackle the many challenges faced by the public sector.

Leadership development is a subject close to my heart and I have always enjoyed coaching and mentoring in my career.

I shared my views on what makes a good leader – not least that a job title or position in a structure chart are not always an indicator of leadership ability.

To be open minded, curious, able to work across boundaries, willing to take a risk or challenge assumptions, and the ability to work with others to develop ideas and then deliver them - these are the hallmarks of great leadership

And they are also the hallmarks of our approach to Switch On To Swindon.

From the outset we were determined that Switch On To Swindon was developed from the ground up. We didn’t launch a campaign back in January so much as issue an invitation to any business, organisation or person who wanted to be part of promoting this great place to join us.

Our underlying principle is that by learning from each other, working together, and making the most of our collective skills, energy and enthusiasm we can make great things happen.

To date this approach is serving us well. We are approaching the 400 mark for ambassadors, representing a fantastic cross section of businesses and organisations in Swindon.

The numbers are one thing but the enthusiasm and willingness to get involved is quite another.

Our ambassadors are using Switch On To Swindon to promote the place and are coming forward with ideas and contributions for the campaign.

We can all play a leadership role in Switch On To Swindon and a great many of you already are.

Get your tickets

PREPARATIONS are under way for our summer ambassador event, and we will be partnering with Dick Lovett, to host our ambassadors at the BMW showroom on the evening July 19.

Dick Lovett has a proud heritage in Swindon and is synonymous with quality, which is exactly what we aim for in everything Switch On To Swindon does.

The first release of tickets have been made available to ambassadors and from past experience spaces will go fast, so sign up quickly.

I look forward to unveiling the first batch of our ‘In a great place’ stories, introducing speakers and enabling all of us to find new ways to support Switch On To Swindon.

If you have any ideas about what you would like to see at the event email info@switchontoswindon.com.