Cotswolds Women's Retreat 2022
Join us in the spectacular Cotswold countryside for our retreat crafted for women design leaders
What can you expect?
This three night/four day retreat is your opportunity to take time away from your busy schedule to focus on your own self-development and to connect with a small group of similar women in senior leadership positions.
Design leadership can be hard, whether you are in your first leadership role or have been doing it for a while, there are always challenges along the way. Often the best way to tackle this is through the support of your peers, so we’ve created an opportunity for you to meet like-minded design leaders, swap stories, and build relationships we hope will last the rest of your careers. (We know this happens at our retreats - this is our second year and many folk from last year have regular catch-ups and calls - it's lovely!)
Against the backdrop of the beautiful Cotswolds you'll delve deeply into your career so far, as well as planning for the future. With the expert facilitation of design-leader-turned coach, Julia Whitney you will have the chance to explore and examine all the aspects of your relationship with leadership.
To balance these focussed sessions we have planned some lovely activities to relax and recharge.
You'll spend time walking in the surrounding countryside, and connect mind and body with optional morning yoga classes. The food at the hotel is superb - fresh, seasonal and cooked with love. The wonderful chefs will also be holding a bread making class and there's a cocktail class in store at the rather well-stocked bar! (These are optional of course, you are welcome to use the time to relax and reflect instead.)
The application process is still open — please apply by completing the form above— for new applications we will be in touch with further details within a few days.
You'll need to be at the venue from midday on the 26 April, and you'll be leaving at 11am on 29 April - so please mark those details in your calendars.
Who is it for?
This retreat is for senior design leaders who identify as female to spend time together.
As a design leader, you're responsible for a team, the direction they take, how they carry out their work, how they innovate, and how they make progress in their individual careers. That’s a lot of responsibility to hold and sometimes when looking after others we neglect ourselves.
By the end of this retreat
You’ll return to your work refreshed, inspired with increased energy and resilience, buoyed by your deeper connection to this community of design leaders. Having formed connections that will be long-lasting throughout your career.
You will have
- Renewed your individual definition of success
- Connected with your values, purpose and sense of joy in your work
- Gained deeper insight into your individual practices as a leader
- Investigated what’s holding you back by challenging your beliefs and assumptions
- Shared your stories and techniques and hear from others in your position
- Transformed the way you work so that you can pursue your ambitions
- Established strategies for re-prioritising your work and making changes that last
The venue
We’re so excited to host our retreat at the beautiful Rectory Hotel — it’s just small enough to make it feel like home, but there is plenty of space for breakout sessions. We'll have the whole place to ourselves.
We’ll relax in this lovely low key country house hotel, with its beautiful English garden. Its Georgian proportions and stylish interiors make it an elegant home from home. There will be roaring fires to help us unwind as we we discuss the days learnings.
Ticket information
This is a small event with very limited tickets, which are by application only. We’ll be in touch to let you know once your place is confirmed.
Tickets are £2445 + VAT and includes all workshop sessions, excursions, accommodation and food at The Rectory.
You will be responsible for your own travel to and from the venue, and for any travel insurance needed for your stay.
We will communicate COVID-19 safety measures closer to the event. These are likely to include a requirement for proof of vaccination plus a negative lateral flow test on arrival at the venue. With the whole hotel to ourselves we are confident of being able to provide a safe and healthy environment, for you to relax and get the most from the experience.
There are moments that impact you in a way that is almost untangible to describe. This retreat created many tiny interactions that built a deep sense of clarity and self-assurance within. I walked away recognizing a much needed internal shift, feeling as if this was an unequivocal life defining experience.
Christine Pizzo
This retreat was exactly what I needed. A beautiful networking and personal growth retreat, where I could be vulnerable and honest about my design leadership challenges and feel supported, understood and heard.
Erin Jeavons-Fellows