A new gathering aimed at redefining the role of business in society will take place this spring as the Progressive Leadership Festival makes its first appearance.
Scheduled for 13 May 2026 at The Wellbeing Farm in Bolton, the event will convene managing directors, chief executives, site leaders, senior executives and SME founders from a wide range of industries who share the view that commercial results and people-centred leadership should progress together.
Developed by the team behind the Manufacturers’ Alliance network, the festival builds on a track record of promoting leadership rooted in purpose. It will bring together decision-makers committed to creating organisations that deliver strong performance while also supporting people and contributing positively to their communities.
John Steele OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games England, will appear alongside other keynote contributors and session facilitators from prominent organisations. Each participant offers practical perspectives shaped by real-world leadership experience and a shared belief in responsible, forward-thinking practice.
The agenda combines keynote talks with roundtable discussions, fireside conversations and interactive workshops across several stages. Attendees will be able to shape their own programme, moving between strategic themes and practical sessions on workplace wellbeing, culture and accountable leadership.
At its heart, the event explores what can be achieved when leaders committed to purpose collaborate with intent.
The festival signals the expansion of a growing network of leaders who see business as a catalyst for wider impact, influencing organisational culture, local communities and the evolving world of work.
Gary Sheader, Founder & Managing Director of the Manufacturers’ Alliance and founder of the Progressive Leadership Festival, said: “This festival is about bringing together a community of changemakers who want to lead with depth, courage and responsibility.
“Across the North West and beyond, there are leaders who feel a real desire to build organisations that are both high performing and genuinely human. When those leaders connect, challenge one another and collaborate, the ripple effect is powerful.
“The Progressive Leadership Festival is the start of that movement, a space where ambition and purpose align, and where business steps forward as a force for good.”
With several hundred senior leaders expected to attend, the festival offers an opportunity for participants to step away from daily pressures and take part in forward-looking dialogue.
Those wishing to attend can learn more and register their interest through the event website at www.progressiveleadershipfest.com.
