CPO Accelerate
An immersive experience designed for CPOs, by CPOs. Nine months of mentoring, coaching, simulations and a peer cohort – built for senior HR leaders approaching their first number-one Chief People Officer role, and for recently appointed CPOs.
What is CPO Accelerate?
CPO Accelerate is nine-month immersive experience built around what it actually takes to succeed as a first-time Chief People Officer.
Flexibly built for busy lives
Four days in person, two webinars, coaching & mentoring to be used flexible, and an engaging community platform – spread across nine months. A core offering you can flex to suit your busy life.
Small by design
Cohorts of 12 people maximum. Because real peer relationships and closely observed feedback don’t survive in a bigger room.
Led by CPOs, not consultants
Practical, current and grounded in real experience – not theory, not academia, we tell you everything nobody else will.
Nothing stripped back
Mentoring, coaching, simulations, profiling, speakers, feedback, development planning – the whole playbook, tailored to you.
An immersive experience designed for CPOs, by CPOs.
Who should attend CPO Accelerate?
CPO Accelerate isn’t for everyone. The programme has been carefully crafted for the most senior HR professionals who are focused on developing their career, which might mean you’re:
Ready now
You’re the most senior HR leader one step away from the CPO. You’re less than three years away from sitting in the number one seat. You need real exposure to the parts of the job you’ve never done – such as RemCo, board reporting, CEO succession and investor conversations – before you’re the one accountable for getting them right.
New in the seat
You’ve landed your first CPO role in the last year to eighteen months, and you already know the job is bigger and lonelier than it looked from the outside. You need a peer group who understand exactly what you’re navigating, and a structured way to close the gaps fast – while everyone is watching how you do it.
Between roles
If you’re currently out of role, but you’re the calibre of leader about to walk into a major CPO position. You want to arrive with more than a track record. You want to walk into your next role with your playbook, proof, practice, and a network that makes the first 90 days look effortless.
Exploring what’s next
If you’re in a big number two role, or a senior specialist and you’re not sure yet whether the number one CPO seat is the right next step for you – that’s exactly why you should be here. This programme gives you real exposure to the role, so you can decide with evidence, not guesswork.
CPO Accelerate is application only. But job title alone isn’t the key indicator. Every application is reviewed by an experienced CPO – we’ll talk to you, and help you make an informed decision, based on your experience, capability, potential and mindset.
What makes CPO Accelerate unique?
Every element of CPO Accelerate has been chosen and crafted based on the lived experience of senior CPOs, and the insights they wish they had before their first day in the seat.
CPO mentoring
Six hours, one-to-one, with an experienced CPO mentor. A peer who has already carried the title and the accountability that comes with it. Our mentor bench includes some of the most respected CPOs, from companies like M&S, Sky, John Lewis, Finastra, and Admiral Group.
CPO coaching
Six hours, one-to-one, with an experienced executive coach, focused entirely on you, your needs and getting the most from the programme. Our coaching is not about generic leadership theory, but the specific judgement calls a first-time CPO has to make and preparing you to make them when you take the number one seat.
Learning from expert speakers
Our expert speakers take topical business trends, insights and challenges, and make them applicable for CPOs. A powerful combination of CEOs, CFOs, Chairs and Non-Execs, cover their perspective on topical matters in the People space – from demystifying AI, through to Operating at Board Level.
CPO-led simulations
Learn how to tackle the toughest parts of the CPO role, without the fear or risk of failure. From RemCo and Crisis Management, to CPO mock interviews and Investor Roadshows – our simulations mean the first time you take on these challenges isn’t when it’s real.
Events & networking
The network of delegates and alumni is one of our key differentiators. Our in-person and virtual events allow you to create your own boardroom of experienced CPOs and peers. You’ll be connecting with the best in business, from organisations like Aveva, Belron and Virgin Group.
Feedback and development planning
Most development programmes leave you with a folder of notes and a certificate for the wall. CPO Accelerate is different. Our partnership doesn’t finish at month nine – we’ll give you tailored support to build a practical development plan you’ll keep using long after month nine, and a supportive, engaging alumni community to help you on your way.
It doesn’t end at month nine
CPO Accelerate doesn’t stop at month nine. Every delegate has the opportunity to become an alumni member, with ongoing in-person and virtual events, and continued access to the network.
Cohorts stay in touch, and conversation runs on a secure and private community platform, so the relationships you build here keep working for you long after the programme ends.
What the Optimal People Community think...
“What really impressed me is the quality of people involved. It would really benefit newly appointed CPOs and those below who are aspiring to be at that level”
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Apply here
If you’re a senior HR professional ready to invest in your next step, apply now by sending us an email. Spaces are limited, and each application is human-reviewed and approved.