Frequently Asked Questions

The Circle Academy is designed for mid-level women working in industries where women remain underrepresented, particularly those operating in technical, project-led and operational environments.

Whilst our roots are in the Built Environment, we welcome applications from women in both technical and head office roles working across sectors including property, construction, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing, energy, transportation and other industries facing similar challenges around attracting, retaining and progressing female talent.

The Circle Academy is a 12-month development programme that combines:

• Leadership development workshops
• Group coaching
• One-to-one mentoring
• Networking opportunities
• Peer support and accountability
• In-person and virtual learning experiences

The programme is designed to create lasting impact, not just provide a one-off training experience.

Whilst every participant’s journey is different, women typically join The Circle Academy to:

• Build confidence and self-belief
• Increase their influence and impact at work
• Develop practical leadership skills
• Expand their professional network
• Navigate career decisions with greater clarity
• Strengthen resilience and wellbeing

Ceri and Vanessa are both professionally qualified coaches and bring a coaching-led approach to the programme. Our aim is to help women define success on their own terms and build fulfilling, sustainable careers in industries where women continue to be underrepresented.

The Circle Academy combines leadership development, coaching, mentoring and networking in one integrated programme.

Unlike many leadership programmes, it is specifically designed for mid-level women and brings together participants from different organisations, sectors and disciplines.

The experience is practical, highly personalised and focused on helping women build the confidence, capability and connections they need to stay and thrive in their careers.

The Academy is designed to fit alongside a busy professional role. Over the 12-month programme, participants can expect to attend:

• Discovery Day – 1 full-day, in-person event
• Group coaching sessions – approximately 4 virtual sessions per year
• Programme workshops – 1 full-day, in-person workshop
• Networking events – 2 in-person networking opportunities
• Mentoring – a minimum of 4 meetings with your mentor. The format, timing and frequency will be agreed between each mentoring pair

All activities are scheduled well in advance to help participants plan ahead.

No.

Whilst The Circle Partnership is based in London, we work with participants from across the UK. Our Discovery Days are held in different locations around the country, allowing participants to select the date and location that works best for them.

We are committed to making the programme accessible regardless of where you are based.

The Circle Academy operates a hybrid model, combining in-person and virtual experiences. We understand people have busy diaries with multiple commitments. Successful applicants receive the full programme schedule following acceptance, allowing plenty of time to plan attendance around work and personal obligations.

Participants join The Circle Academy in several ways:

• Through places purchased by their employer
• Through independent self-funding.

Applications can be submitted through our website throughout the year by clicking here

If you are applying through your organisation, your timeline will align with your company’s internal review process.

If you are applying independently, we aim to review applications within 4–6 weeks of submission. In all cases, we will keep applicants informed of any significant updates to the application process.

• 1–4 places: £3,750 + VAT per participant
• 5–9 places: £3,500 + VAT per participant
• 10+ places: £3,250 + VAT per participant

If you’re interested in multiple places for your organisation, we’d be delighted to discuss the most appropriate option.

Yes.

For organisations looking to invest in a larger group of women, we can create a dedicated Circle Academy cohort exclusively for your organisation.

In a bespoke cohort, the Discovery Days and group coaching sessions are delivered specifically for your participants. This creates space to explore your organisation’s unique culture, challenges and opportunities alongside colleagues in a trusted environment.

At the same time, participants continue to benefit from the wider Circle Academy experience. They join the broader programme community for:

• One-to-one mentoring with senior leaders from our mentor network
• Cross-industry networking opportunities
• Access to the wider Circle Academy community
• Learning from peers across different organisations and sectors
• Selected workshops and programme events

This approach gives organisations the benefit of targeted internal development whilst ensuring participants also build valuable relationships, perspectives and connections beyond their own organisation.

We typically require a minimum of 20 participants to create a dedicated organisational cohort.

If you’d like to explore a bespoke cohort for your organisation, we’d be delighted to discuss your requirements.

Places are limited and applications are reviewed carefully based on the genuine need of the applicant.

We’re not looking for perfect answers or polished corporate language. We’re looking for honesty, self-awareness and a genuine commitment to engaging with the programme and making the most of the opportunity.

The strongest applications are the ones that help us get to know the person behind the form. We’re looking for authenticity, self-awareness and a clear sense of why this opportunity matters to you right now. Strong applications typically demonstrate:

• Genuine reflection and honesty
• A clear understanding of what you hope to gain from the programme
• Thoughtful personal and professional goals
• A commitment to engaging fully with the experience
• Openness to learning, challenge and development

Most importantly, we want to understand why this year matters and how The Circle Academy could help you take the next step in your career. Don’t worry about crafting the “perfect” answer – we’re far more interested in hearing your genuine voice and understanding your aspirations.

Each participant is matched with an experienced female leader from our mentor network.

We take great care in selecting our mentors and supporting them throughout the programme. Guidance and mentor training are provided where appropriate.

Our mentors generously volunteer their time and bring significant leadership experience from a wide range of organisations, sectors and disciplines. We take into account career aspirations, development goals, support needs and personal preferences when making mentor matches.

Yes.

The information you share in your application will be treated as confidential and used only to assess your suitability for The Circle Academy, support mentor matching and administer the programme in line with our Privacy Notice. We do not share application responses with employers.

In circumstances where an organisation has purchased a limited number of places and receives more applications than places available, we may discuss applications at a high level to support the selection process.

We want The Circle Academy to be a safe space in which women feel able to be open and honest about their experiences, challenges and aspirations.

We’re always keen to connect with fantastic senior women who are passionate about supporting the next generation of female talent.

To ensure mentors can offer sufficient breadth of experience and perspective, we typically require a minimum of 15-20 years’ post-qualification or equivalent professional experience. This helps create an appropriate gap in career stage and lived experience between mentors and Academy Partners.

All mentors are vetted by The Circle Partnership and supported throughout their mentoring journey.

No.

Applications should be completed in your own words and reflect your own experiences, motivations and aspirations.

We may reject applications that do not appear genuine or personal.