Introducing Lead Beyond Flexible: CMI Level 7 leadership development at your pace.

From 1 November 2026, we’re introducing a new way to experience one of CAKE’s most popular leadership programmes.

Lead Beyond Flexible is a strategic leadership development programme for directors, executives, senior managers, entrepreneurs and business owners. It combines self-paced learning, one-to-one executive coaching and optional live virtual workshops, with the opportunity to achieve a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Certificate.

It brings the thinking, support and practical focus of Lead Beyond into a format that gives you more choice over how learning fits into your working life. At £2,750 + VAT per person, it’s also our most affordable route yet to a CMI Level 7 qualification.

A new way to make space for your development

When you’re leading a business or a team, your own development can slip down the list. There are decisions to make, people to support and immediate challenges that need your attention.

Yet stepping back is often what helps you move forward: finding time to question your approach, clarify your direction and think about what your organisation needs next.

Lead Beyond Flexible creates space for that work. It builds on our existing programme, with a flexible learning journey supported by experienced people who help you apply what you learn.

“Over the past six months, we’ve been listening to our clients and looking carefully at how we can open up more opportunities to learn with CAKE. Our ambition is simple: more access to more learning for more people. Or internally summarised as More CAKE. Lead Beyond Flexible is an important step in that direction, giving senior and business leaders more choice over how they develop, with the personal people first approach that matters to us.”

Michael Casanova, Director, CAKE People Development

How does Lead Beyond Flexible work?

The programme is designed to take 12 months with an expected commitment of around 10–15 hours per month, depending on your pace.

Your learning combines four elements.

Self-paced learning

Work through learning materials and activities at a pace that suits you within your programme journey. You’ll have time to explore ideas, reflect on your leadership and connect your learning to the challenges facing your organisation.

One-to-one executive coaching

Throughout the programme, executive coaching helps you turn your learning into practical outcomes. It gives you space to explore your own leadership questions, challenge your thinking and consider what you will do differently.

Optional live virtual workshops

Join interactive workshops to explore ideas with other leaders, hear different perspectives and learn from shared experiences. These sessions bring opportunities for conversation and connection alongside your individual learning.

Resources and connection through CAKE Connect

Our digital learning platform, CAKE Connect, hosts programme resources and supports your learning between conversations and workshops. It also provides opportunities to exchange ideas, share reflections and connect with others.

You’ll be supported by our Programme Director, Margaret Burnside and the CAKE team.

What will you learn?

Lead Beyond Flexible explores four areas of strategic leadership.

• Strategic leadership: Understand the difference between strategic and operational leadership, examine your leadership style and consider where your energy and attention will have the greatest impact. Explore vision, values, culture and emotional intelligence.

• Developing a strategic plan: Examine your organisation’s purpose, assess its internal and external environment, explore strategic options and consider the financial implications of your plans.

• Leading the team: Develop your approach to team performance, coaching, employee engagement and collaboration, so your people can contribute to the direction you have set.

• Turning strategy into action: Explore how to lead change, communicate your strategy, respond to resistance and measure progress. Bring your thinking together in a practical implementation plan.

Throughout, the focus is on your leadership and your organisation: the choices you make, the people you support and the outcomes you want to achieve.

Achieving a CMI Level 7 qualification

For those choosing the qualification route, Lead Beyond Flexible offers the opportunity to achieve a CMI Level 7 Certificate, with the programme’s listed units covering:

• 701: Strategic Leadership

• 704: Developing Organisational Strategy

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The programme includes assignment preparation and guidance to support your progress towards the qualification.

The £2,750 + VAT programme fee includes all course materials, CMI registration and membership, assessment and verification, alongside the programme’s coaching and learning support.

Who is Lead Beyond Flexible for?

This programme is designed for directors, executives, entrepreneurs and senior managers who want to strengthen their strategic leadership.

It may be particularly relevant if you want to make more time for strategic thinking, develop a clearer organisational direction, or gain a recognised qualification that reflects and builds on your experience.

For employers, it offers a way to invest in senior leaders through development that connects directly to their responsibilities and business challenges.

Available from 1 November 2026

Lead Beyond Flexible is the first of a series of programme developments we’ll be sharing between now and spring 2027, including a brand new programme before Christmas.

If you’re thinking about your own development, or supporting a leader in your organisation, we’d love to talk.

Email slice@cakepd.co.uk to request the Lead Beyond Flexible recipe sheet or discuss whether the programme is right for you.