Building Sustainable Leadership for the Future: Highlights from the Ashdale Care Leadership Conference 2026

At Ashdale Care, we believe that investing in leadership means investing in better outcomes for staff and the young people we support. Our first Leadership Conference was an opportunity to celebrate our progress and reflect on our journey at Ashdale Care.

Reflecting on the Journey

Held in the beautiful surroundings of Nuremore Estate, the conference brought leaders together from across the organisation for a day of connection and inspiration. The atmosphere was energising, with a shared commitment to strengthening our leadership culture and living the #AshdaleWay. The day opened with reflections from the senior leadership team on their own leadership journeys and the role leadership development has played in shaping Ashdale Care’s future. CEO, Caroline Gray shared her personal learning reflections, her experience of the Leadership Academy, and her vision for the future of the organisation. Her message reinforced the importance of investing in people, developing future leaders, and creating an environment where both employees and young people can thrive. Director of Learning & Development, Kerry Gildernew, then took attendees through the inspiring story of the Leadership Academy so far.

The fireside chat with Paul Reid, Chairman of Ashdale Care, and Naoise Blake, Leadership Development Consultant and facilitator of the Ashdale Leadership Academy, was both inspiring and thought-provoking. Reflecting on his own leadership journey, Paul shared the importance of leading with integrity and understanding people. One message that particularly resonated with attendees was: “You must start with where people are at.” He also shared his four word personal mantra that has guided him throughout challenging moments in his career: “Confident, positive, strong, and secure.”

Investing in Our People

A particular highlight was celebrating our Leadership Academy graduates, many of whom have already progressed into new roles and responsibilities. Their achievements are a testament to the impact of investing in our people and nurturing future leaders from within.

Themes included: 

• Using leadership frameworks to guide everyday practice 
• Striving for excellence and maintaining high standards 
• Leading with consistency and shared purpose 
• Supporting teams through change and growth 
• Building confidence through continuous learning and development

These stories demonstrated how leadership development extends beyond the homes and becomes part of everyday practice across Ashdale Care.

Looking Ahead

Throughout the day, key themes emerged, including continuous learning and development, values-driven leadership, turning insight into impact, and creating environments where young people and staff can thrive. 

As we continue to build momentum, we remain committed to developing confident, skilled, and compassionate leaders for the future.