Darchem Engineering has introduced the 26 Steps to Management programme, a leadership development framework created by leadership specialist Beryl Cuckney
Building Strong Leaders
At Darchem Engineering, supporting people to grow in their careers is an important part of strengthening the business. As teams develop and responsibilities expand, investing in leadership skills helps ensure managers feel confident guiding their teams and supporting daily operations.
To support this, Darchem Engineering has introduced the 26 Steps to Management programme, a leadership development framework created by leadership specialist Beryl Cuckney and accredited by the Institute of Leadership. The programme is designed to give managers practical tools that can be applied directly in the workplace, helping them develop their communication, decision-making and leadership skills.
Participants work through a structured toolkit covering key aspects of leadership, from managing teams and building trust to improving performance and supporting professional development. On completion of the programme, participants achieve Member of the Institute of Leadership (MIoL) status, recognising their commitment to developing their leadership capabilities.
For Darchem, the programme represents more than a training initiative, it’s part of a wider approach to supporting employees as they progress within the business. By providing opportunities to build leadership skills, the company aims to empower managers to lead with confidence while maintaining a strong, collaborative working environment across its sites.
As more employees take part, the programme is helping to reinforce a shared understanding of leadership across the organisation and supporting the continued development of Darchem’s management teams.
Developing Leadership Through Practical Learning
The 26 Steps to Management programme is designed to support managers in building the skills needed to lead effectively in today’s workplace. Through a combination of online learning and guided support, the programme encourages participants to explore their own leadership style while developing practical approaches to managing people, communication and performance.
By working through the structured toolkit, participants gain the opportunity to reflect on real workplace challenges and consider how their decisions and behaviours influence their teams. The programme focuses on strengthening confidence, encouraging accountability and helping managers develop a clearer understanding of how effective leadership can positively shape working environments.
Beryl Cuckney, leadership specialist and creator of the 26 Steps programme, explains that the framework is designed to help managers strengthen the fundamentals of leadership.
“The programme gives managers a practical structure to reflect on how they lead and how their actions influence the people around them. By developing greater confidence and awareness in their role, they are better equipped to support their teams and make clear, informed decisions.”
Stories From Our Participants
Managers who have taken part in the programme have already begun to see the benefits in their daily responsibilities, from reflecting on decision-making to gaining a broader understanding of the business.
Paul Watson explained how the programme encouraged him to think more carefully about his leadership approach:
“It got me thinking about the decisions I make, what to do, and how to do it.”
For Simon Porter, the training created an opportunity to reflect on how both leadership and the business itself continue to evolve.
“For me, the training really helped with focusing on change and reflecting on myself and the business over the past 10 years I’ve been at Darchem. The business has changed and we’ve got to change with it.”
Meanwhile, Karen Lightfoot found the programme particularly valuable as she was still relatively new to the organisation.
“I was relatively new, so it was like an enhanced induction for me and gave me an excuse to reach out, speak to people, and ask questions, to find out more about the business.”
A Continued Commitment to Leadership
As the programme continues to grow across the business, initiatives like 26 Steps to Management reflect Darchem Engineering’s commitment to investing in its people and developing confident leaders for the future.
By encouraging managers to expand their knowledge, embrace challenge, and approach leadership with creativity, the programme supports the values that shape how our teams collaborate, develop and succeed together.
