Our Executive & Leadership Programmes are a first-of-its-kind suite of masterclasses built specifically for senior leaders, executives, and key decision-makers across the Scottish hospitality and tourism sector—including independent operators, luxury destinations, hotel groups, visitor attractions, food and drink, events, and leisure. Ideal for individuals who guide teams, influence strategy, and shape workplace culture, these intensive experiences bring peer contemporaries together to collaborate, accelerate leadership capability, and ensure Scotland competes confidently on the global stage.

To accommodate the varying strategic needs and time commitments of senior professionals, our masterclasses are designed and delivered across two distinct levels:

• The Leadership Level: Designed for established managers, heads of department, and regional leads who are responsible for guiding teams, influencing workplace culture, and optimising operational performance. These focus heavily on tactical execution, modern management dynamics, and driving immediate impact within a function or business unit.

• The Executive Level: Tailored for business owners, board members, directors, and top-tier strategic decision-makers. These deep-dive sessions focus on high-level corporate strategy, long-term commercial growth, macro-industry challenges, and navigating complex organisational transformations.

Our current programme series focuses on five critical, fast-moving industry priorities, with specific sessions tailored to either the Leadership or Executive level:

• Leadership Redefined: Strategic Leadership for the Modern Hospitality Executive

• The Intelligent Edge: AI for Commercial & Operational Impact in Hospitality

• Financial Command: Strategic Finance for Hospitality Leaders

• Code of Trust: Executive Strategy for Cybersecurity & Fraud Intelligence

• Lead by Design: an immersive, active learning journey where leaders transform into "Experience Architects."

Yes., all our programmes are aligned with the Chartered Management Institute's (CMI) Professional Standard for Managers & Leaders, our programmes carry official CMI recognition. This reinforces their positioning as a premium benchmark for executive excellence in the industry.

Every masterclass is centred around experiential and applied learning rather than passive classroom theory. Hosted at some of Scotland's most iconic hospitality and tourism venues, the format combines immersive business simulations and interactive, action-oriented workshops with powerful peer-to-peer collaboration.

Depending on the specific course and level of depth required, programmes are delivered as intensive 1-day, 2-day, 3-day or 4-day masterclass blocks.

For all of our 2-day, 3-day and 4-day programmes, an overnight stay and a networking dinner are integral components of the experience. These are designed to maximise your peer-to-peer connection and learning outside of formal session hours. Overnight stays are not included for 1-day sessions.

If participants require accommodation for either the night before and / or the night after a programme delivery day, then HIT Scotland will secure preferential rates at each of the partner venues on the participants behalf.

To book, participants will be asked to indicate any extra night requirements on the pre-course form, sent approx. 3 weeks before the programme start date, and HIT Scotland will then arrange for these bookings to be made on their behalf.

The cost of any additional night's accommodation, and any extras, must be settled directly by the participant upon checkout.

HIT Scotland is able to offer these programmes at a heavily discounted rate thanks to the generous contribution of both the Crerar Trust and through industry in-kind support.  However, based on direct feedback from across our sector, there was a strong desire for participants / their businesses to make a contribution toward these masterclasses in order to keep them accessible, whilst also supporting HIT Scotland's ongoing charitable work.  As such we have set the following minimum donation levels:

• 1-day programme: Minimum donation of £125

• 2-day programme: Minimum donation of £250

• 4-day programme: Minimum donation of £500

You can view upcoming programmes on the HIT website and access the online application forms directly from each programme page.

Because space is limited to preserve high-value peer interaction, places are carefully assigned based on industry demand, cohort balance, and candidate suitability.

If you are accepted onto a programme but can no longer attend due to personal or professional reasons, you must notify HIT Scotland in writing as soon as possible. HIT Scotland operates a strict reserve and deferral list to ensure courses run at full capacity.

While we will endeavour to defer your place to a future session date depending on availability, this cannot be guaranteed.

Where a specific itinerary includes an off-site experiential adventure (such as an outdoor team-building session), HIT Scotland will provide all necessary transportation to and from the main venue.

Precise meeting locations and timings will be shared by the delivery team well ahead of time.

The dress code for our Executive & Leadership Programmes is smart casual. Because our sessions are highly interactive and can take place across unique spaces within Scotland's premier venues, we recommend choosing clothing that is both smart and comfortable for a full day of engagement.

If a specific programme block includes an outdoor experiential activity or a formal evening networking dinner, our delivery team will provide detailed guidance on any additional clothing or footwear requirements well in advance.

Yes. To assist with promotional and reporting purposes, photography and video filming may occur at various points throughout the programme.

If you / your employer prefer not to be captured in promotional media, simply inform a member of the delivery team on the day of your course.

If you have additional questions regarding course content, partnership building, applications or anything more general, then please reach out to our Programme Director:

• Contact: Dave Allen, Programme Director, HIT Scotland

• Email: dave.allen@hitscotland.co.uk

• Phone: +44 (0)7801 074 266