Winter School 2026 - more information
For more information, please contact the team by emailing Winter School.
Speakers
Emmanuel Gobillot
Described as ‘the first leadership guru for the digital generation’ and ‘the freshest voice in leadership today’, Emmanuel has advised organisations across the globe on developing leaders, establishing teams, and changing cultures.
One of Europe’s most sought-after leadership speakers, he is the author and co-author of 8 UK and US bestselling books. 2024 saw him released a fully updated version of his seminal book ‘The Connected Leader’ published by De Gruyter, along with a new book ‘This is Not a Leadership Book’ published by Routledge which sealed his place as one of the world’s foremost management thinkers. His new book ‘Alive Inside – Unlocking your leadership advantage in the age of AI’ will be released in Jan 2026.
For over 20 years his work has been based on his mantra – ‘there must be a better way and together we can find it’.
A French national, Emmanuel moved to the UK in 1985. He holds an International Baccalaureate from the United World College of the Atlantic, a MA (Hons) from the University of St. Andrews and a Diploma in Management Science from the Nottingham Trent University. A father of two, now adult, children (Charlotte and George) Emmanuel lives in London with his wife Katherine Thomas.
Nick Obolensky
Nick is the Founder of Complex Adaptive Leadership Ltd (UK) and MD of Agile+ Consultants (China). He is an internationally recognised thought leader, uniquely linking complexity science with ancient Chinese wisdom, for leaders to navigate VUCA times in a practical way. He has won various awards including 'Best Leadership Development Company' in 2025, Agile ThoughT Leader by the Agile Business Consortium and the EFMD Gold Award for Executive Development beating many leading blue-chip business schools. He has wide ranging leadership experience including:
Practitioner: Decorated British Army Major (youngest at the time) in his twenties; Development Director of FTSE 100 firm (line responsibility for 12,000 staff, change responsibility for 45,000 staff)
Consultant: Executive Strategy Consultant Ernst & Young.
Academic: Professor of Leadership Nyenrode (MBA professor of the year twice); visiting leadership professor: LBS, INSEAD, EHL, Duke CE and Thunderbird. Currently professor for leadership at CEDEP (INSEAD campus, Fontainebleau) and Ecole Des Ponts Business School (Morrocco campus).
Author: Various books including: 'Complex Adaptive Leadership – Embracing Paradox and Uncertainty' (Gower best seller translated in China as 'Future Leadership' 未来领导力).
Tanya Sullivan
Sailor and motivational speaker
Tanya is no stranger to high-pressure environments. A highly successful hospitality leader turned professional sailor, Tanya brings over three decades of experience in managing people, risk, and pressure - both in business and at sea. She has skippered multiple Ocean crossings and Rolex Fastnet campaigns, and competed in some of the world’s most prestigious sailing regattas. Tanya knows what it means to lead when the stakes are high.
Drawing on years of experience guiding crews through storms and setbacks, and celebrating extraordinary moments of teamwork and triumph, Tanya brings powerful lessons from the ocean into the workplace—offering practical, humorous, and deeply human insights into teamwork and resilience.
Tanya’s talks are rich with real-life experiences and practical wisdom, highlighting how courage, collaboration and clarity can carry us through uncertain waters.
Apply for Winter School
Submitting your application
Please answer the following questions in your application:
- Personal Objectives - Please succinctly describe your current leadership role and responsibilities (min 50 words - max 100 words)
- Departmental / Organisational Objectives - What are your learning objectives for Winter School? (min 50 words - max 100 words)
- Personal Outcome Statement - How will Winter School help address the challenges in your work? How will you apply the learning? (min 50 words - max 100 words)
On submission of your application you will be included in a sift process for a place. There are a limited number of places available at Winter School 2026 that will be awarded to applicants that have identified strong objectives and outcomes which align to both themselves and their organisation. It is important that you fully answer the personal objectives questions, to support the sift process.
How much does it cost?
£600 + VAT. This includes:
- access to the full Winter School learning programme
- delegate pack
- accommodation (Tuesday 3 February to Friday 6 February 2026)
- breakfast, lunch and evening meal during the event
You must meet any personal incidental costs, such as travel to and from the event.
Please note: If you are awarded a place and later decide to withdraw from the programme, Academi Wales reserve the right to charge your organisation an administration charge, please see our website for further information.
Accommodation
Winter School is a residential event and accommodation will be provided for all successful applicants.
Delegate fees for Welsh public service and third sector applicants
Academi Wales is a department of Welsh Government. It is necessary to provide the following details in your application:
- Full name and address of organisation paying your delegate fee
- Name and email address of the person responsible for arranging payment of your delegate fee
Supplier: Welsh Government
Supplier address: Welsh Government, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ
To confirm your place, you will need to provide a purchase order number. Your organisation will be invoiced for your delegate fee following your attendance at Winter School 2026.
For further details regarding invoicing requirements please contact our finance team at AW.Business@gov.wales.
Delegate fees for Welsh Government applicants
Academi Wales is a department of Welsh Government. To support your application please provide the following details:
- Branch finance manager email address
To confirm your place, your branch finance manager must provide the following details to AW.Business@gov.wales:
- Profit centre
- Activity code
- Personnel number or name of delegate
We will issue a journal transfer to collect your delegate fee after the event.
If you require further details on the journal transfer requirements please contact our finance team at AW.Business@gov.wales.
Prepare for Winter School
General timetable - opening and closing of event
Tuesday 3 February
- 11am: registration and accommodation allocation (if arriving before 11am please let us know)
- 12pm: lunch
- 1pm: programme begins
Friday 6 February
- 1pm: programme ends
Personal programme preparation
Where applicable, you are required to complete all pre-work set by the speakers.
Delegate hub
Successful delegates will be enrolled onto the Winter School delegate hub. This is a secure closed site and can be accessed anytime, anywhere and on any device. The hub will provide the opportunity to share important information leading up to the event, have discussions and network with your fellow delegates.
It is important that you log onto the hub to receive regular updates and key information about the programme.
Please note you will require an up-to-date web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome to access the delegate hub.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes – delegates must attend the whole programme. It's been purposefully designed and you will not realise the full benefits of the programme unless you complete all aspects.
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Yes – however, we encourage you to take advantage of the residential part of the programme. If you live locally you may commute to and from your home - please let us know as soon as possible if accommodation is not required. Non-accommodation delegates are still required to pay the £600 + VAT contribution.
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There are no childcare or crèche facilities available. You will be required to make your own childcare arrangements.
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Meals and refreshments are included within the programme (however alcohol, bar or café purchases are not covered).
- Breakfast: between 7.30 am and 8.30 am daily
- Dinner: 7.30 pm.
There is a small cash bar and coffee shop on site. Please note: there is no cash machine at or near the venue. Please withdraw cash in advance if you plan to use these facilities.
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Please note on your application form if you need any assistance or have any medical or specific dietary needs. If necessary we will contact you to discuss nearer the event.
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Winter School is delivered in English, simultaneous translation is available in the plenary room. However, delegate packs and materials are provided bilingually.
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- Due to the remote location of the centre, mobile phone signals may be patchy. However, landline access is available 24/7.
- Wifi is available in all areas except the chapel
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- A torch: Nant Gwrtheyrn is a small site but, because of its location, moving between the function hall and accommodation (especially later at night) can be particularly dark, so you may wish to bring a torch.
- Toiletries, hairdryers etc
- Cash (please note: there are no cash points or shops in the close vicinity)
- General supplies may be useful tea, milk and biscuits, as some of the cottages have kitchen areas (however, all other food and refreshments are provided during the event)
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- Classroom sessions - please feel free to adopt a casual dress code.
- Walk - we recommend that you bring suitable warm, comfortable clothes, outdoor weather gear and sturdy footwear with you. The weather will be unpredictable and can get very cold.
- It has become a tradition for Winter School delegates to go on an early morning coastal path walk before sessions start. If this is something that you may be interested in please bring with you a torch, suitable footwear and appropriate warm clothing.
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We reserve the right to take photographs / video footage during the event which may be used for publicity purposes and for the production of learning information.
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Transport for Wales (external link)
Train
www.thetrainline.com (external link)
Car sharing
Once the delegate list is confirmed, with your approval, we'll share the contact details. You can then make your own car sharing arrangements for travel to and from the event.
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Winter School Team
03000 256 687
Nant Gwrtheyrn - Venue
Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 6NL
01758 750 334
For more information, please contact the team by emailing Winter School.