Welcome to HIT Scotland’s Executive & Leadership Programmes

APPLICATION GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

This document explains how to apply for a HIT Scotland Executive and Leadership Programme. Please read this carefully before applying!

1. What are HIT Scotland Executive and Leadership Programmes ?

A first-of-its-kind in Scotland, the suite of Executive and Leadership Programmes offered by HIT Scotland have been created exclusively for senior leaders and executives working across Scotland’s hospitality and tourism sector. Built by the industry, for the industry, these programmes are designed to accelerate leadership capability, drive innovation, and ensure Scotland competes confidently on the global stage.
Delivered by world-class experts, each of our one, two, or four-day experiences focuses on the priorities that matter most to today’s industry leaders, going far beyond traditional classroom-based learning. Hosted in iconic venues across Scotland, each experience combines applied learning with peer-to-peer connection, networking dinner and overnight stays (applies to the 2 and 4 day programmes only), and insight from leading business voices. It is an opportunity to develop, connect, and influence alongside senior contemporaries from across the sector.
Aligned to the Chartered Management Institute’s Professional Standard for Managers & Leaders, the programmes also carry CMI recognition, reinforcing their position as a benchmark for executive excellence.
Backed by over three decades of HIT Scotland’s experience in talent development, and made possible through the support of partners including The Crerar Trust, this new era of leadership development represents a bold investment in the people who will shape the sector’s future.

2. Who can apply?

HIT Scotland’s Executive and Leadership Programmes are open to senior leaders and executives working in the Scottish hospitality and tourism sector. Applicants must meet the criteria outlined in each programme description and be able to clearly demonstrate how the programme aligns with their career development goals.
Programmes will be offered at one or both levels indicated below:
- Executive Level: Designed for those in the most senior decision-making roles.
- Leadership Level: Designed for senior managers, heads of department, and functional leaders.
Each programme description will clearly indicate which level is most suitable, helping applicants identify the option that best aligns with their experience and development needs.
We anticipate high demand for our programmes, and therefore ask that you take care to complete the application form provided for each programme in full, giving special attention to the areas where we ask about your role and what you hope to gain from attending the programme you are applying for.
Our programmes are designed specifically for Executive and Leadership level professionals, and whilst we appreciate that not all applicants will have a Line Manager, if you do then it is important that you gain their approval and endorsement before completing and submitting your application. This ensures that your application is supported, the programme is appropriate for your development, and your organisation can commit to providing you with both the time and resources needed for you to fully benefit from the experience.
Lastly, and unlike HIT Scotland’s Scholarship Programme, there is no time limit on reapplying. Participants who have previously completed an Executive and Leadership Programme are welcome to apply again for future programmes, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

3. How long is a programme, and when and where does it take place?

Programmes are scheduled throughout the year on fixed dates, with programme descriptors, venue locations, and key dates available on the HIT Scotland website.
Executive and Leadership Programmes typically run as 1-day, 2-day, or 4-day sessions, accommodating between 12 and 20 participants depending on the type of programme. The 2-day and 4-day programmes include overnight stays and industry dinners, all covered as part of the Executive and Leadership Programme donation.
For participants who need to travel and arrive the day before a programme, and who may require additional accommodation, HIT Scotland will provide access to discounted rates at the accommodation venue. Costs for this extra stay, along with any other personal expenses, are the responsibility of the participant and/or their organisation.
These programmes are designed to showcase the very best of Scottish hospitality, delivering immersive, experiential learning opportunities that are often unique, and cannot easily be replicated.
Venues have therefore been carefully selected across the country - from Inverness to the Borders, and from the west coast to the capital - to ensure geographical accessibility. However, programmes are open to leaders from across Scotland, not just those near the venue, allowing participants to apply for and attend any programme they wish.

4. How do you award places on a programme?

There is a maximum number of places available on each Executive and Leadership Programme, details of which will be clearly stated in each of the programme descriptions on the HIT Scotland website. All programmes will have an application closing date, again details of this will be provided on the website, with notifications of application outcomes sent within five working days of the closing date.
Not everyone who applies will be offered a place. Applications are assessed by a selection panel against defined eligibility criteria for each programme, and selection is based on the strength and relevance of the application.
It is therefore important to take time over your submission, provide thorough responses to the ‘About You’ questions, and ensure you apply for a programme appropriate to your experience and development goals.
Application outcomes will be communicated, within 5 working days of the application closing date, as follows:

Successful – Applicants will be contacted and then provided with the relevant welcome pack and joining instructions for the programme.
Deferral – This applies when an application is successful but there is insufficient capacity on the programme dates requested. In this case, HIT Scotland will offer a place on a future programme, which may be at a different location.
Declined – Where an application is not successful. Applicants are welcome to apply for future programmes.

5. Who decides which applicant gets a place?

Once the application closing date has passed for a particular programme, the HIT Executive and Leadership review panel - which includes a HIT Trustee, the HIT Programme Director and the HIT Chief Executive - will review all applications. Each submission will be assessed against the programme eligibility criteria, as well as the quality and relevance of the responses provided in each of the ‘About You’ sections.

6. How do I choose which programme to apply for?

Please read the Executive and Leadership programme descriptions on the HIT Scotland website to find out which programme may suit you and your development needs, and to check that you meet the criteria for applying for that particular programme.
If you would like to talk to someone at HIT Scotland prior to submitting an application then please contact dave.allen@hitscotland.co.uk who will be more than happy to talk the programme(s) over with you.

7. Communication

Given the high volume of applications, all communication will be sent by email. Please make sure you provide the correct email address on your application form.
Most emails will be issued via mail merge, and depending on your email settings, this may result in important messages being filtered into your junk or spam folders. Please check these folders regularly to ensure nothing is missed.
To help prevent this, we recommend adding dave.allen@hitscotland.co.uk and HITExecLead@hitscotland.co.uk to your safe senders list. This should increase the likelihood that messages reach your main inbox rather than being diverted to spam.

8. Giving Back to HIT Scotland

The HIT Scotland Executive and Leadership Programmes are high-value development opportunities that have been significantly subsidised thanks to the generous contributions of both The Crerar Trust and our industry partners. Their support, alongside sponsorship from fundraising events, enables HIT Scotland to offer these programmes at a fraction of their true cost.
Without the industry “giving back” to HIT Scotland, we could not continue to provide these opportunities. We therefore ask that, where possible, participants and their organisations support us in return.
As such, and as outlined in our programme overview, there is a clear desire from industry to make a charitable contribution towards the cost of the Executive and Leadership Programmes. In recognition of this, we have set the following minimum donation levels to support each experience:
- £125 for any 1-day masterclass
- £250 for each 2-day programme
- £500 for a 4-day executive-level programme
You will be asked to confirm that you / your organisation is willing to make this donation when submitting your application.

Terms and conditions

Eligibility & Participation

Applicants must be working in the hospitality and tourism industry in Scotland.
If an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Executive & Leadership Programme they apply for, they will not be offered an alternative.
Applicants must inform HIT Scotland of any changes to contact details, employment, or circumstances that may affect programme eligibility.
If a participant changes role or company and the programme is no longer relevant, they will forfeit their place and may reapply in a future round.
If a participant leaves Scotland or the hospitality industry before the programme takes place, they will forfeit their place.
Participants are considered ambassadors for their organisation and must conduct themselves professionally at all times, online and offline.
Programmes are organised by HIT Scotland, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own personal health and safety.
HIT Scotland reserves the right to amend programme arrangements if required to do so for operational, health and safety and / or venue reasons.

Participant Responsibilities

Participants are responsible for:

Understanding the nature of the programme and accepting associated risks.
Undertaking any assigned pre-course work requested by the programme Delivery Partner.
Following reasonable instructions and requests.
Informing HIT Scotland of any medical condition (including pregnancy) that may affect participation.
Complying with health and safety policies of delivery partners and venues.
Dressing appropriately and observing dress codes where provided.
Maintaining confidentiality where required.
Using social media responsibly and not sharing confidential or inappropriate material relating to their experience.
Raising any concerns or grievances directly and privately with HIT Scotland in a timely manner.

General Terms

Places belong to the individual, not the employer, provided the participant remains eligible and the programme is still relevant to their role.
Accommodation and catering will be provided where required unless otherwise stated.
The organisation / individual is responsible for any travel costs and / or personal expenditure.
Programmes will run on fixed dates. Any extensions or extras are the participant’s responsibility.
Participants under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have their place terminated immediately.
Failure to attend an Executive & Leadership Programme without good reason will likely result in liability for programme costs and any expenses incurred.
Photographs and film footage taken during programmes may be used by HIT Scotland for promotion and reporting.
HIT Scotland is not liable for loss or damage to personal property.

Cancellation / Non Attendance

Unless otherwise agreed in writing with HIT Scotland, programmes must be attended on the dates applied for and offered.
If you need to cancel your attendance on a programme for either personal or work reasons, we ask that you try and provide us with as much notice as possible, in writing, to ensure that we can offer your place to another applicant. HIT Scotland will also endeavor to defer your place onto a future programme date where possible. Please note this may not be at the same venue.
If your cancellation falls within 30 days of the programme start date, the donation made to HIT Scotland to support your attendance on the programme will be retained by HIT Scotland to cover costs.
If your cancellation falls out with the 30 day period, then the programme donation will be refunded to you / your organisation - unless it has been agreed in writing to defer your place onto a future programme.
If HIT Scotland cancels the programme then all programme donations will be refunded.

Diversity Policy

HIT Scotland is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and aims to be representative of all sections of society.

Data & Privacy

HIT Scotland will only use personal data for the purposes of application assessment and programme delivery. Data retention and use are governed by our Privacy Policy, based on consent and legitimate interest.
The full HIT Scotland Privacy Policy is available on our website.