The University of Suffolk is launching a Talent Academy, offering up-and-coming leaders the opportunity to improve their managerial skills and insight by tapping into the knowledge of leading scholars.

The initiative aims to build on the knowledge and experience of the visiting professors and senior fellows at the university’s Suffolk Business School.

It is described as offering “a supporting yet challenging environment” which will allow participants to learn from and network with experts who have helped shape knowledge and practice in the field of management.

The first session will take place on October 11, starting at 4.30pm, when Professor Tony Eccles will offer some reflections based upon his inquiries into competitiveness and change.

Eight more sessions will follow, running until spring 2018, with future speakers due to include Professor John Burgoyne (known for his work on management and leadership), Professor Gerald Mars (famed for his work on organisational misbehaviour), Dr Sylvia Van de Bunt-Kohuius (known widely for her work on “servant-leadership”) and Professor Malcolm Morley (who alongside work as a consultant and local authority chief executive has published notable works on strategic management).

To maximise the opportunities for debate and networking, five of the Talent Academy meetings at the university will conclude with dinner in a nearby restaurant.

There are no formal educational requirements but the initiative is aimed at those who have been identified as having potential for senior management but have not yet reached board level.

“In this respect an organisational nomination to enrol in the Talent Academy might be taken to be a reward for past achievement; an indication of your organisation’s on-going commitment and, perhaps more importantly, an investment in the future,” said a university spokesperson.

The cost of enrolment, including the five dinner events, is £750 per person, with the number of places limited to 16. To apply, send a copy of your CV (for the attention of David Collins, head of the Suffolk Business School) to Gwenda Palmer – g.palmer@uos.ac.uk – by September 21. Applications are welcome from private, public and third sector organisations.