Diploma in professional discipline

Programme overview

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the pathway to the CEO role is evolving, creating unprecedented opportunities for ambitious leaders. Organisations are increasingly seeking fresh perspectives and bold, strategic thinkers — not just from the C-suite but from across the leadership spectrum. As an ambitious senior professional aspiring to be a CEO, you need to shift your focus from being operationally effective to being strategically indispensable. Accelerating your career means embracing unconventional moves and bold decisions, backed by a clear personal growth strategy. 

The Emerging CEO programme is designed for senior executives aspiring to transition into this C-suite leadership role. You will acquire a range of essential skills, enabling you to successfully navigate the responsibilities of a CEO.

This six month online programme draws on expertise from Imperial Business School faculty, industry experts and case studies. It features hands-on modules for practical learning and opportunities for interactive engagement, and strategic thinking. You will experience live online teaching sessions, video lectures, interactive activities and assignments whilst receiving personal support from a dedicated Learning Team.

You will finish the programme prepared to implement your learnings, and with a verified Digital Certificate from Imperial Executive Education.

Who should attend?

Our Diploma in Professional Discipline is designed specifically for those who already hold a formal legal qualification at Level 4 or above and want to gain specific recognition for their knowledge of professional discipline and fitness to practise. The programme is particularly relevant for:

• early career lawyers looking to move into professional discipline
• career changers exploring new niches
• anyone applying for roles with a professional regulator or the PSA

Learning Objectives

By the end of this transformational programme, you will be able to:

• Understand the statutory underpinning of professional regulation and the powers conferred upon different regulatory bodies
• Navigate your way around the specific rules of each professional regulator
• Understand the complete fitness to practise process, from referral through to a substantive hearing
• Confidently explain each step of the fitness to practise process
• Understand the process of preparing cases for decision making panels and hearings
• Understand the role of each party and the key players in hearings and at other key points the process

Learning Journey

Phase 1: Executive Leadership Essentials | 12 weeks

Understand the executive leadership skills necessary to excel in a C-suite leadership role. Navigate the current finance landscape confidently by gaining expertise in effective decision making, strategic agility and ethical leadership. Explore how to drive innovation and ensure alignment with sustainable practices.

• Module 1: Organisational Structures: From Hierarchies to Networks
• Module 2: Navigating and Influencing Complex Politics
• Module 3: Building Alliances and Collaboration at an Executive Level
• Module 4: Understanding Enablers and Derailers to Career Progression in the C-Suite
• Module 5: Building Trust and Relationship Management
• Module 6: Adept Communication: The Art of Storytelling
• Module 7: Fostering a Culture of Ethics
• Module 8: Inspiring Cohesive, Effective Teams
• Module 9: Future Forces Transforming Demands on the C-suite
• Module 10: The Role of C-Suite in Driving Digital Transformation
• Module 11: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): Balancing Profitability and Responsibility
• Module 12: Understanding and Appreciating Diversity in the Workplace

Phase 2: Strategies for the CEO | 6 weeks

• Module 13: The CEO Role in High-Growth Organisations
• Module 14: Individuality as a CEO
• Module 15: Corporate Governance
• Module 16: The C-Suite
• Module 17: Financial Strategies
• Module 18: Navigating Funding Sources

Phase 3: CEO Transformation Imperatives | 6 weeks

• Module 19: Executing on the Innovation Edge
• Module 20: Corporate Strategy for Disruptive Growth
• Module 21: Executive Communication
• Module 22: Leading through Flux
• Module 23: Talent Strategies for High Growth
• Module 24: Stewarding Culture