Building Stronger Councils Through Elected Member Development

Stepping into public office is both an honour and a challenge. Whether you’re newly elected or an experienced councillor, the pace and complexity of local government demand confidence, clarity and continuous learning.

At West Midlands Employers, we’re here to help you thrive in your role. Our Equipped to Lead offer provides practical, flexible development for elected members – from understanding governance and people leadership to exploring innovation, AI and the future of public service. Every session is grounded in real-world local government experience and designed to strengthen your impact in your community.

We also lead the West Midlands Charter for Elected Member Development, a recognised framework supporting councils to invest in the growth and effectiveness of their members. Through the Charter, councils demonstrate their commitment to professional development, good governance and inclusive leadership – celebrating what’s already strong while identifying where to grow next.

Our aim is simple: to build confident, capable and connected local leaders across the West Midlands. Every pound you spend with us is reinvested into the region, supporting stronger councils and better outcomes for residents.

Equipped to Lead

Supporting elected members to thrive in modern public life

Find out more about Equipped to Lead

Charter for Elected Member Development

Driving continuous learning and improvement across every council

Find out more about Charter for Elected Member Development

We’re here to help

From leadership development to culture change, see how we can unlock your team’s full potential.

Matthew Hotten

Senior Consultant

Relationship Management, Business Development & Policy Lead

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Benefit from becoming a corporate subscriber

We are proud to support:

  • Birmingham Children's Trust
  • Gambling Commission
  • NASUWT
  • NHS Staffordshire & Stoke
  • Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire
  • Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • Staffordshire Fire & Rescue
  • Stone Town Council
  • Warwickshire Police
  • West Midlands Combined Authority
  • West Midlands Fire Service
  • West Midlands Growth Company
  • West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Wolverhampton Homes
  • Sandwell Childrens Trust