Strengthening Leadership Across Higher Education

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and The Institute of Leadership (IoL) today announced a new strategic partnership designed to strengthen leadership capability across higher education and equip universities to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing global environment. The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) following a senior leadership roundtable held in London on 10 July 2026.  

Bringing together the ACU's network of 400 universities across 40 countries and The Institute of Leadership's expertise in leadership development, the partnership will create new opportunities for executive leaders, emerging leaders, professional services staff and students across the Commonwealth.  

The partnership has been shaped by extensive engagement with ACU member universities and recognises the growing leadership challenges facing institutions worldwide, including geopolitical uncertainty, financial pressures, technological disruption, changing workforce expectations, decolonisation and restorative futures agendas, and the need to demonstrate higher education's value to society.  

The announcement follows the ACU – The Institute of Leadership roundtable, Leading Universities Through Transformation: What Will Higher Education Leadership Require by 2035?, hosted at Woburn House, London. Co-chaired by Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Chair of ACU Council, and John Williams, Chief Executive Officer of The Institute of Leadership, the discussion acknowledged the evolving role of universities and what future leaders will need to succeed in increasingly complex institutional and societal contexts. Shaping a flagship programme that will focus on leadership development for future university leaders, the roundtable brought together vice-chancellors and university leaders from across the Commonwealth, including from the University of the West Indies, Canterbury University (New Zealand), Macquarie University, Universiti Malaya, Nelson Mandela University, Makerere University, University of Namibia, University of Dhaka, Open University of Sri Lanka, Technical University of Kenya, Lead City University, Western University (Canada), as well as universities across the United Kingdom including Newcastle University, the University of Liverpool, Cardiff University, the University of Bristol, the University of West London and the University of Winchester.  

Discussions focused on three critical questions for the future of higher education leadership: the capabilities and competencies university leaders will require by 2035; how institutions can develop more diverse, inclusive and sustainable leadership pipelines; and how a Commonwealth-wide leadership initiative can address gaps in existing provision. Participants highlighted the growing importance of collaborative leadership, influence beyond institutional boundaries, peer learning, mentoring and practical support for navigating uncertainty and transformation.  

Through the new partnership, the ACU and the IoL will collaborate on a range of activities, including: 

‘Universities are being asked to lead on some of the most significant challenges facing societies today, from skills and innovation to social cohesion and sustainable development. To do so effectively, we need leaders who can navigate complexity, collaborate across sectors and inspire confidence in times of uncertainty. This partnership represents an important opportunity to strengthen leadership across the Commonwealth and to learn from one another's experiences.’ 

John Williams, Chief Executive Officer of The Institute of Leadership, said: 

‘The challenges facing higher education leaders are increasingly interconnected and global. By bringing together the ACU's extraordinary international network and the Institute's leadership expertise, we have an opportunity to create something distinctive: a leadership community that supports current and future university leaders to thrive in a rapidly changing world.’ 

Professor Colin Riordan, Secretary General and Chief Executive of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, said: 

‘Effective leadership has never mattered more for higher education. Universities are operating in an environment defined by uncertainty, disruption and opportunity, and leaders need spaces where they can exchange ideas, learn from peers and develop new approaches. This partnership brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to leadership excellence and a shared belief in the power of international collaboration. We look forward to working with colleagues across the Commonwealth to help shape the future of university leadership.’ 

The ACU and the IoL will use the insights gathered during the roundtable to inform a multi-year programme of activity that responds directly to the priorities identified by university leaders. This will include leadership development initiatives, peer-learning networks, research, thought leadership and practical resources designed to support institutions across the Commonwealth.