Meet Rob Anderson, Founder at Specialist Training Provider: Leadership Launchpad

“As the World Economic Forum flags a growing demand for project professionals, the UK faces a critical skills gap that must be addressed. Leadership Launchpad believes that equipping professionals early is key to Britain’s success.”

Tell us about Leadership Launchpad

Leadership Launchpad is a specialist training provider dedicated to enhancing project delivery and leadership capabilities across the UK workforce. With nearly 70% of workplace projects failing, Leadership Launchpad is tackling the crisis from the ground up — equipping people with the skills to lead confidently, regardless of title. The problem is rarely technical; too often, individuals are asked to deliver projects without being recognised as leaders or given the training and support to succeed.

Our approach supports professionals at every career stage—whether graduates, early-career individuals, project leaders without formal titles, or senior executives—enabling them to step into or improve their leadership skills with clarity, ownership, and resilience. With the World Economic Forum predicting the need for millions of new project roles, Leadership Launchpad is taking the lead to prepare Britain’s workforce and close the gap.

Our accredited syllabus includes hands-on, CPD-certified training. Leadership Launchpad is a registered provider with the CPD Certification Service, ensuring all programmes meet rigorous standards for Continuing Professional Development. We are also recognised as an Institute Approved Provider by the Institute of Leadership, meaning participants automatically gain membership access upon course completion. As the World Economic Forum flags a growing demand for project professionals, the UK faces a critical skills gap that must be addressed. Leadership Launchpad believes equipping professionals early is key to Britain’s success.

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

My own journey showed me how much potential is lost when people aren’t given the tools to succeed. I grew up with dyslexia and was told I had severe learning difficulties. That label could have closed doors, but with support and resilience, I discovered how to turn setbacks into strengths.

Later, leading national programmes like the Olympic Legacy Programme, working on the Grenfell recovery, and navigating Brexit negotiations, I saw the same pattern repeating: talented people doing the work of leadership without recognition, frameworks, or confidence.

I realised project leadership isn’t about a job title. It’s a skill set. And one we need to cultivate much earlier in careers, not just for senior managers or executives. That was the spark for Leadership Launchpad.

Tell us about Leadership Launchpad’s courses

Leadership Launchpad provides practical, specialist training in project delivery and leadership development. It helps professionals at all career stages – graduates, early-career individuals, project leaders without formal titles, and senior executives gain the skills, confidence, and tools to lead projects effectively.

One of our flagship programmes is Project Leadership Launchpad, aimed at professionals who are already managing projects. This programme isn’t about ticking boxes or rigidly following frameworks; it’s about developing the clarity, confidence, and resilience to lead with vision. Participants learn to communicate effectively, take real ownership, and inspire their teams. The focus is on navigating uncertainty and creating lasting impact, moving beyond simply delivering the plan to leading with authority.

For those at the start of their careers, Your Launch Year provides a vital stepping stone. Tailored to graduates, apprentices, and early-career professionals, the programme blends practical leadership skills – from planning and problem-solving to communication – with hands-on project experience. Weekly activities, interview preparation, and real-world tasks give learners a strong launchpad to succeed in competitive workplaces from day one. This programme responds directly to the challenges graduates face: employers now receive an average of 140 applications per vacancy, with finance and IT roles attracting nearly 188, yet only around 2% of candidates are shortlisted. Graduates spend heavily on interviews, often hearing nothing back from the majority of applications. By combining practical experience with confidence-building leadership skills, Your Launch Year prepares young professionals to thrive just as demand for project roles is surging. With the World Economic Forum projecting a need for 16 million new project professionals over the next decade, equipping talent early is vital to closing the UK’s project leadership gap.

Finally, our Corporate Training Packages transform how organisations deliver projects. Even the most capable teams can struggle when deadlines slip, priorities clash, and meetings multiply. The issue is rarely effort – it’s clarity. Our training equips participants with the mindset, tools, and structure to cut wasted effort, align around outcomes, and deliver results that last. For executive directors, founders, and CEOs, this frees up time and ensures delivery is consistent and effective. Leadership Launchpad helps organisations define work clearly, manage scope, align teams around priorities, build accountability, and manage risks and dependencies with confidence. Practical, human-first, and tailored to each organisation, these programmes ensure leaders at every level can step up and deliver with clarity and confidence, directly addressing the critical skills gap highlighted by the World Economic Forum.

What most excites you about the leadership and training industry?

The shift towards recognising leadership as everyone’s business is exciting. Leadership is no longer about seniority; it’s about clarity, ownership, and guiding others through uncertainty. Junior developers piloting new software, charity workers coordinating fundraising campaigns, and business managers launching new services – they are all leading projects, whether recognised or not. Leadership Launchpad is helping make leadership inclusive, practical, and accessible, not just the preserve of those with formal management titles.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome along the way?

Personally, navigating dyslexia taught me resilience, creativity, and empathy – qualities I now see as core to effective leadership. Professionally, the challenge has been cutting through the noise of a crowded training market. Too many leadership programmes are heavy on theory but light on real-world application. Leadership Launchpad is different: built from lived experience, grounded in practical delivery, and designed to have immediate impact.

What is your number one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Own your story. The challenges you’ve faced aren’t barriers; they’re the foundation of your leadership. My own journey through education difficulties taught me to lead differently. For entrepreneurs, the lesson is the same: don’t downplay your lived experience. It’s what gives you a unique edge and the ability to connect with others.

What can we hope to see from Leadership Launchpad in the future?

The future is about scale and impact. We want to reach more professionals already leading without recognition, while embedding project leadership skills earlier into graduate and apprenticeship pathways. We’re developing digital learning resources, expanding partnerships across industries, and making leadership training accessible to everyone—from front-line staff to future executives. Ultimately, our vision is a UK workforce where project leadership isn’t a bottleneck to delivery but a common skill set that drives clarity, ownership, and results.