Case Study: Powering Leadership Growth at Avove Utilities

Client: Avove Utilities
Programme: Bespoke ILM Leadership & Management Qualifications (Levels 3, 5 & 7)

Client Overview

Avove is a Tier 1 contractor that partners exclusively within the UK’s critical utilities sectors, providing infrastructure, non-infrastructure and engineering solutions built on innovative thinking and an agile approach. As such, they design, build and maintain utilities infrastructure to enhance the communities in which its teams operate.

As the organisation continues to evolve and expand its national footprint, Avove recognised that strong leadership at every level is critical to sustaining performance, engagement and long-term growth.

The Challenge: Developing Confident Leaders at Every Level

With managers operating across a wide range of operational and strategic roles, Avove wanted a leadership development programme that would:

• Build real, practical leadership capability

• Reflect their values and people-centred culture

• Support collaboration across the organisation

• Equip managers with skills they could apply immediately in the workplace

The ambition was clear: create a development journey that supported leaders not just in theory, but in the realities of day-to-day leadership.

The Solution: A Bespoke Leadership Development Programme

Working closely with the Avove team, the programme was shaped through a truly collaborative approach by three of our faculty members. Ashley Lloyd designed and delivered the Level 3 programme, Maria McGrath and Ashley Lloyd worked together to design and deliver Level 5, and John Patterson designed and delivered the Level 7 senior leadership programme. Their combined expertise created a tailored learning experience, supporting participants at every stage of the Avove leadership journey.

ILM-accredited qualifications were delivered at Levels 3, 5 and 7, providing structured development for:

• Emerging managers

• Established people leaders

• Senior leaders and strategic decision-makers

This multi-level approach ensured leadership capability was strengthened consistently across the organisation.

How We Delivered: Practical, Real-World Learning

The programme combined flexible delivery with highly practical learning, including:

• Face-to-face and virtual workshops

• Action learning and accountability sessions

• Executive coaching support

• Workplace-focused assignments

Key development themes included:

• Leading people

• Managing performance

• Innovation and change

• Project management

• Strategic leadership

To maximise learning impact, cohorts were deliberately cross-functional, therefore successfully bringing colleagues together from across the business. This encouraged shared understanding, stronger internal relationships and collaboration beyond everyday roles.

Learning Aligned to Avove’s Culture

Avove’s name is a blend of advance and evolve and both principles were evident throughout the programme.

Their commitment to continuous improvement and a people-centred culture shaped engagement, learning design and outcomes.

At the end of the year the employees’ achievements were recognised at Avove’s annual regional roadshows. The event brought employees together to communicate strategic priorities and celebrate learner achievements helping embed leadership development as a visible and valued part of the organisation.

The Impact: Strong Engagement and Meaningful Feedback

Despite the pressures of busy operational roles, learners remained highly engaged and motivated throughout the programme.

Feedback highlighted:

• Practical, relevant learning

• Supportive and expert facilitation

• Increased confidence through real-world application

Participants shared:

Becky Kimber, People Director at Avove said: “At Avove, we recognise that our long-term success relies on how effectively we develop the people we already have. Investing in our people is central to how we operate, and our ILM leadership programme has become a key part of that commitment. By offering accredited development at Levels 3, 5 and 7, we have created clear pathways that support emerging managers, established people leaders and senior decisionmakers to grow in their careers.

“Working in close partnership with the Academy of Leadership and Management enabled us to shape a programme that reflects our values, our ways of working and the needs of our business. Together, we have built a learning experience that strengthens our culture and develops the skills we need for the future. This has also helped us create a more inclusive leadership pipeline, with women making up 36% of the first cohort. That representation matters to us. It shows that colleagues across the business see leadership as accessible, relevant and aligned to their ambitions.

“Leadership development is not an isolated exercise. It directly influences how we serve our clients. Strong leaders create clarity, set expectations, and drive improvements that make a tangible difference to the outcomes we deliver. As our people progress through the programme, we are already seeing how their confidence, thinking and decision making translate into better performance for clients and the communities they support.”

“The sessions were really enjoyable and I feel I have got a lot out of taking part in the course.”

“Very rewarding and worthwhile — the guidance and support made all the difference.”

“Gold standard tutoring throughout.”

The Results: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Foundations

By investing in leadership development across multiple levels, Avove has strengthened leadership capability while reinforcing a culture of learning, collaboration and continuous improvement aligned with the Avove principles of ‘advance’ and ‘evolve’.

The result is a more confident, connected leadership community equipped to support their people, deliver strategic priorities and help move the organisation forward.

Results at a Glance

• Multi-level leadership development
  ILM programmes delivered at Levels 3, 5 and 7
• Learning that fits the real world
  Blended workshops, coaching and action learning
• Strong engagement
  High participation despite operational pressures
• Collaboration across the business
  Cross-functional cohorts breaking down silos
• Real impact
  Increased confidence and practical leadership capability

About Avove

Avove is a Tier 1 contractor that works exclusively within the UK’s critical utilities sectors, delivering infrastructure, non-infrastructure and engineering solutions built on innovation and agility. The company’s name, a blend of advance and evolve, reflects its mission to modernise utilities delivery and set higher standards across the sector.

Avove designs, builds and maintains the UK’s essential utilities infrastructure, supporting the communities in which it operates. The organisation employs more than 900 people and provides vital services across the water, power, vegetation management, and design sectors. Its fully integrated, inhouse model enables end-to-end delivery, ensuring consistently high standards, strong technical assurance and reliable outcomes for clients.

Avove is proud to work in partnership with leading utility providers, including Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Northern Ireland Water, Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water Group, Northern Powergrid and SP Energy Networks.

Visit their website: Avove Utilities – Moving Life Forward

Ready to develop your future leaders?

If you’re looking to build confident managers, strengthen leadership capability and align development with your organisation’s goals, we can help.

Talk to us today about leadership and management programmes tailored for your people strategy

Call (0)8458902549 or email info@academylm.co.uk