Case study: Developing future leaders with Chiesi
Chiesi partnered with Alliance Manchester Business School to design and deliver a bespoke leadership development programme for high-potential employees across several business functions.
WATCH: Case Study video of Chiesi's custom programme.
Hear from faculty, commissioners and members of the cohort in this overview video.
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The Challenge
The aim was to equip delegates with best-in-class personal development and leadership capabilities and a broader understanding of the business, enabling them to contribute confidently to Chiesi's ongoing growth.
We were looking for a programme that wasn’t off the shelf. From very early conversations with the team at Alliance Manchester Business School, it became clear that they were able to meet, and adapt to our requirements.
Programme objectives
The programme was designed to:
- Foster the adoption of new theories, ideas and evidence-based methods.
- Enable employees to drive change with a social conscious mindset.
- Broaden commercial awareness beyond individual roles.
- Support translation of classroom learning into workplace application.
- Encourage personal ownership and accountability.
- Strengthen cross-functional cohesion and communication.
Programme structure
AMBS worked closely with Chiesi to create a learning experience unique to the organisation’s needs.
Sara Russell, the Programme Director at AMBS, said “This programme has been designed and developed specifically for Chiesi. It aims to equip delegates with new ideas and new thinking that they can apply to support their personal and professional development.”
The programme combined academic teaching, experiential learning, and workplace-based projects, including:
- Multi-module learning journey covering leadership, digital transformation, strategic thinking, sustainability, communication, and finance.
- Applied group projects, completed between February and November, encouraging collaboration across functions.
- Cross-functional cohort bringing together delegates from across the UK business.
- AMBS faculty expertise delivering cutting-edge research, new tools, and industry insights.
- Support from Chiesi subject matter experts, helping delegates translate academic frameworks into practical application within the Chiesi context.
The delegates worked in four groups to deliver a business-critical project each. They researched their topic area and communicated with a range of stakeholders, including Chiesi Senior Leaders and colleagues in Europe and the USA. They then presented their findings and recommendations to the Senior Management Team.
We focus on the practical, context-specific environment that the participants are in. For Chiesi, we explore the healthcare landscape, the restrictions in place, and build broad discussions around that to make it real.
impact
The programme has delivered significant professional and organisational benefits:
Expanded commercial and strategic thinking
Delegates reported a deeper understanding of how different parts of Chiesi operate and how their decisions influence the wider organisation. Cohort Two delegate, Bryony Duckham, said “This programme has had a positive impact on me as an individual. I’ve been able to develop further ... outside of my typical role and skillset.”
Increased confidence in leadership and decision-making
Exposure to new frameworks and tools helped participants approach challenges with greater clarity and confidence.
Stronger cross-functional cohesion
Working collaboratively on the projects strengthened internal communication, improved cross-departmental relationships, and built a future-focused leadership network within Chiesi.
Tangible workplace application
The applied projects ensured that learning transferred directly to real business outcomes. Projects demonstrated innovation, strong research, and practical impact, incorporating module themes like psychological safety, sustainability, and tailored communication, while delivering confident, board-level presentations linked to cost savings and strategic objectives.
They’ve now got a real network of support as they progress through the organisation. It’s sparked an appreciation of what the business is doing, and a stronger understanding of the broader context and inner workings of the organisation.