FAQ's.
North Star CCA
Your questions, answered.
Whether you’re considering applying or supporting a future industry leader, you’ll find everything you need to know about the North Star CCA journey here—from key dates and programme commitments to the investment involved and the benefits for you and your business.
When do applications open?
Applications for North Star CCA will open in February 2027.
For now, you can register your interest and we’ll keep you updated ahead of entries opening.
When does the North Star journey take place?
The journey begins with applications opening in February 2027.
Successful applicants will be shortlisted in March, before attending the residential Masterclass in early April. The wider CCA journey then continues through April and May, including the Experience Day in Trade, business plan development and final assessment stages.
The journey concludes with the North Star Finale in early June 2027.
What investment is required?
Applying is completely free.
If you are shortlisted as a Future Industry Leader, securing your place requires an investment of £2,500 + VAT if applicable, usually funded by your employer.
This gives you access to the full North Star CCA experience, including the residential Masterclass, accredited coaching certificate, Competitive Career Accelerator journey, mentorship, community access and industry recognition.
How much time will I need to commit as a finalist?
You’ll need to commit time for:
- The residential Masterclass in early April
- An Experience Day in Trade during April or early May
- Business plan development during May
- Final judging, if selected for the final stage
- The North Star Finale in early June
The experience is designed to be stretching, but realistic for ambitious operational leaders already working in demanding roles.
What investment is required from my business?
Supporting a Future Industry Leader means investing in both their development and your organisation’s future leadership capability.
The employer investment includes:
- £2,500 + VAT if applicable to secure their place
- Time out of the business for the residential Masterclass
- Time for the Experience Day in Trade
- Time to develop their business plan
- Attendance at the final judging panel, if they reach that stage
- Attendance at the North Star Finale
- Reasonable travel expenses linked to programme activity
In return, your business gains a more confident, better-connected leader with stronger coaching capability, fresh industry perspective and a business improvement plan designed to bring value back into your organisation.
How much time will my employee need out of the business?
Your employee will need time away from the business for the residential Masterclass, the Experience Day in Trade, and potentially the final judging panel and Finale event.
They will also need protected time during May to develop their business plan. This is an important part of the process and should be treated as a valuable piece of leadership development, not something squeezed in around the edges.
What’s in it for me as a finalist?
You’ll gain confidence, challenge, recognition and access to a community of people invested in your future.
You’ll develop practical leadership and coaching skills, build meaningful industry relationships, increase your profile, and take part in an experience designed to stretch how you think, lead and contribute to the sector.
What’s in it for my business?
Your business gets more than a developed individual.
You’ll be supporting someone with the potential to become a stronger, more strategic leader, while also benefiting from the insight, confidence, network and business improvement thinking they bring back into the organisation.
It is an investment in retention, succession, leadership capability and the future strength of your business.
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