arrow-circle arrow-down-basicarrow-down arrow-left-small arrow-leftarrow-right-small arrow-rightarrow-up arrow articlesclosefacebookgovernanceinsightlinkedinprovocation-papersquote searchtwittervideo-icon
About us Our story

Our Story: Empowering Creative Leaders Through the Arts and Culture

Hilary Carty delivering a speech

The Beginning: A Vision for Cultural Leadership

Clore Leadership emerged from Dame Vivien Duffield’s inspirational idea to develop a generation of exceptional cultural leaders. Initiated in 2003 by the Clore Duffield Foundation, our organisation set out to create the UK’s first cross-disciplinary leadership programme for the arts, cultural and creative sectors. With the guidance of commissioned authors John Holden and Robert Hewison, Clore Leadership was established in 2004, laying the groundwork for a transformative impact on the arts and culture landscape.

Our Evolution: Guided by Passionate Leadership

Our journey has been marked by the unwavering dedication of visionary leaders. Founding Director, Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury, spearheaded the development of our programmes from 2004 to 2008. Sue Hoyle CBE, who had been Deputy Director at the outset, took the reins as Director from 2008 to 2017. Our current Director, Hilary S. Carty OBE, drives our mission forward with passion and commitment.

Our Mission: Cultivating Excellence and Innovation in the Leadership of Culture

At the heart of our story is our ambition to empower and support leaders and aspiring leaders across the arts, culture, and creative sectors. We provide tailored and accessible programmes designed to help professionals at every stage of their career develop their leadership skills, competencies, and performance.

Through our comprehensive suite of leadership development offers, we encourage participants to explore their unique strengths, challenge prevalent ideas, and embrace innovation.

Our programmes include:

  • Tailored Fellowships
  • Intensive leadership courses (residential and online)
  • Governance development programmes
  • Targeted development programmes responding to specific needs
  • Seminars, webinars and conferences.

We also actively promote thought leadership and fresh perspectives by commissioning research and provocation pieces, ensuring our programmes remain relevant and impactful.

Our Impact: Nurturing a Diverse and Dynamic Community of Leaders

Our work is enriched by the diverse and dynamic community of leaders we have helped cultivate, which includes heads of cultural institutions, artists, freelancers, policy makers and entrepreneurs. Professionals from various fields, including the visual and performing arts, film and digital media, libraries, museums, archives, heritage, and cultural policy, co-create a supportive environment at Clore Leadership.

Our Vision

A society enriched by arts, culture and creativity.

Our Purpose

To cultivate excellence and innovation in the leadership of culture


Our Values

Excellence

We provide exceptional quality experiences, resources and opportunities for leadership development.

Inclusivity

We encourage learning from the broadest perspectives by embracing diversity (of thought and experience).

Learning

we inquire and challenge to evolve and continually deepen understanding. 

Our story is a testament to the power of leaders in the arts, culture, and creativity to transform lives. We invite you to join our journey and become part of our vibrant and inclusive community of creative leaders.