On 18th September, the Commonwealth Leadership Institute (CLI) celebrated its 2025 Summit, held in Singapore and online, bringing together leaders from across the globe in a spirit of connection, learning, and shared purpose.
Though global in outlook, the CLI’s story is deeply rooted in Wales. Its approach to leadership development is built on the pioneering work of the Climb Leadership Programme, launched in 2021 by the Dragon’s Heart Institute (DHI) in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as part of the All-Wales Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care. Climb’s holistic and values-driven style of leadership has become a blueprint for CLI’s work across the Commonwealth.
Founded by Professor Jonathon Gray, former Director of the DHI, the CLI builds on the creativity and success of Climb and its sister programme, Spread & Scale. Since departing the NHS in 2024, Professor Gray has pursued this vision with Commonwealth partners, working closely with Swansea University, a founding ILA partner, and University of Wales Trinity St David.
The first CLI event was held at Windsor Castle in summer 2024, and was delivered in partnership with the Dragon’s Heart Institute with Climb Programme Manager Kelly McGuffie playing a lead organising role.
The Singapore summit demonstrated how leadership nurtured in Wales is now resonating across the world. Many Climb graduates played a central role. Dr David Hanna, a graduate of both Climb and Spread & Scale, hosted a pre-event showcase from Swansea University, highlighting Welsh innovation. Powerful video testimonies from Dr Nikki Sommers and Geraint Jones spoke of the life-changing impact of the programmes, with additional case studies from Climb graduates Dr Kerry-Ann Holder, Dr Fiona Brennan, and Dr Francis Subash.
The summit also featured EdTalks, a storytelling tradition developed within Climb. The name “EdTalk” was initially gifted to Climb by mountaineer Peter Hillary in honour of his father, Sir Edmund Hillary, and has since become a hallmark of how participants share bold ideas and personal journeys with the CLI also receiving this generous gift from the Hillary family.
Other familiar faces from Climb also joined the global stage, including Professor Sir Muir Gray, who teaches on population health and stewardship, and Dr Natasha Zimmerman, PhD, who brings her expertise on culture and belonging.
Suzanne Rankin, Chair of the Innovation Intensive Learning Academy and Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said:
“It is inspiring to see so many of our graduates shining on the global stage through the Commonwealth Leadership Institute. This is Wales’ leadership in action: people equipped through Climb and Spread & Scale, and the wider ILA programme, to bring compassion, courage, and innovation to the challenges the world faces. The Dragon’s Heart Institute has worked tirelessly to create programmes that empower leaders, and it is wonderful to see that work celebrated and amplified across the Commonwealth.”
The CLI Summit stands as both a celebration and a reminder: leadership developed in Wales has the power to ripple outwards, connecting people across nations and generations in service of a better future. The CLI Summit marks the latest step in Wales’ growing international contribution to leadership development, underlining how investment in innovative programmes at home can have global impact.
