First Ascent Group
Maximise the performance of your leaders, teams and organisation with our tailored people development programmes that incorporate contemporary brain science.
At First Ascent, we partner closely with clients to deliver uniquely designed solutions that tackle individual, team, and organisational challenges. We listen, question and challenge you, then we engage and develop your people to deliver a guaranteed return on investment for your organisation.
Driving performance and achieving measurable results is always our number one priority. We focus on equipping your people to practically apply their learning back in the workplace and make long-term, sustainable changes.
Robust science, contemporary thinking , and credible research underpin everything we do. Whether it's delivered face-to-face or online, we use the latest brain science, psychology, social analytics and learning practices to ensure every programme is engaging and highly effective.
First Ascent are proud to be a global partner of Emergenetics International.
We recommend Emergenetics psychometric profiling as a robust, new-generation profiling tool with a demonstrable track record of delivering results. The Emergenetics profile helps you to better understand your employees, optimise team dynamics, and nurture a culture of collaboration and productivity.
Over time, applying Emergenetics principles creates positive transformations at all levels. Organisations benefit from:
- Improved team dynamics
- Enhanced engagement and productivity
- Reduction in conflicts
- A more inclusive and engaging workplace culture
The team received the training very positively. They found it enjoyable, informative, thought-provoking, and all agreed it was one of the most effective and actionable courses they had experienced. Function Director, Santander
"The programme delivered by First Ascent has left a real legacy. These skills are as valuable as ever—especially now, when we’re facing huge change and restructuring."
System Leadership Programme Lead, North Central London Health and Care Integrated Care System
Products and services
Bespoke Leadership Development Programmes
No matter the industry, organisation size, or level of leadership experience, bespoke leadership programmes turn capability into lasting leadership excellence.
Who is it for?
Bespoke leadership development programmes are designed around your leaders' needs. From new appointees to the leadership team and board directors, these programmes are tailor-made to unlock potential and drive performance.
Tailored to your Needs
We know every organisation is different; that’s why we can tailor all our programmes to the unique needs of your people. That way, every programme has a lasting, measurable impact.
Tailored Graduate & Apprenticeship Programmes
Invest in your early careers talent by providing them with the skills, mindset, and confidence they need to succeed throughout their careers.
Investing in early-careers talent is one of the most strategically significant decisions an organisation can make. First Ascent partners with employers to design and deliver graduate and apprentice programmes that equip new entrants with the skills, mindset and confidence they need to make an immediate contribution, and to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
Our apprenticeship schemes for employers are bespoke by design. We take the time to understand your organisation's culture, values and strategic priorities before developing a programme that truly reflects them.
Whether you are onboarding a cohort of degree apprentices, supporting technical learners or developing a structured graduate scheme, we build content and experiences that accelerate development and reduce time-to-competence.
What Does A Custom Graduate or Apprenticeship Programme Look Like?
Custom apprenticeship programmes from First Ascent combine personal development content with practical, work-based learning. Drawing on contemporary brain science and our expertise in adult learning, we create engaging, challenging programmes that support apprentices and graduates as they navigate the transition from education into the workplace; a transition that can be disorienting without the right support.
Our graduate and apprenticeship work spans a wide range of sectors and organisations, including global pharmaceutical companies, national energy providers, the nuclear sector, and leading financial services firms. In each case, we work in close partnership with L&D teams, line managers and programme sponsors to ensure that learning is embedded, measurable and aligned with both individual and business goals.
How Are Custom Graduate and Apprenticeship Programmes Delivered?
Programmes can be delivered face-to-face, online or in a blended format, and can incorporate psychometric profiling, leadership fundamentals, communication skills, resilience training and commercial awareness, among other themes. We also support the design of apprenticeship programme frameworks that meet the requirements of the relevant apprenticeship standard.
If you want your apprenticeship schemes to do more than tick a regulatory box, First Ascent's bespoke approach draws on 25 years of experience and the latest development in cognitive science to deliver programmes that genuinely develop talent and strengthen your organisation.
Systems Leadership Training
Who is it for?
A tailormade Systems Leadership development programme can be designed for senior leaders, heads of department and influencers who operate across organisational, sectoral, or community boundaries. They are ideal for those tackling complex challenges where collaboration, influence, and adaptive leadership are key to success.
How will it help the individual?
- Enhanced ability to lead in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
- Recognise and call out silo thinking
- Builds influencing, negotiation, and collaboration skills
- Strengthen strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Increase adaptability, resilience, and leadership agility
- Broaden networks and strengthens cross-system relationships
- Deepen understanding of how to create sustainable, meaningful change
- Build confidence to lead when authority is shared or unclear
How will it help the organisation?
- Develops leaders who can work effectively across departments, organisations, and sectors
- Breaks down silo thinking and fosters system-wide collaboration
- Strengthens ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and change
- Aligns diverse stakeholders behind shared goals and outcomes
- Drives innovation through diverse perspectives and collective intelligence
Tailored to your Needs
We know every organisation is different, that’s why we can tailor all our programmes to the unique needs of your people. So every programme has a lasting and measurable impact.
