The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) hosted its first public event on 2 October 2008, a work shadowing reception at the House of Lords. Nearly 100 leaders from the further education and skills sector and from business gathered to hear about the work shadowing scheme operated by the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL).

Over the past four years, the scheme has enabled hundreds of leaders, managers and staff to gain experience of practice outside their own organisation. Former hosts and shadows talked about their perspectives of the scheme, which is being integrated with a number of LSIS programmes.

Frank Botham, who has been the principal at Strode's College in Egham for the last 14 years, spoke about his placement with John Lewis at Brent Cross. He had specifically asked to spend time in a customer-focused organisation, and having had no real direct experience of the world of commerce, was pleased to have a chance to see things at first hand.

"I was struck by a number of things," he said, "including the huge emphasis on communications, the use of instant data in effective management, and the similarities of some issues to those in my own college, despite the huge difference in scale. I found my time at John Lewis to be hugely beneficial. It was intellectually stimulating, and provided much food for thought and a battery of practical ideas to take home."

Ingrid Dick, an adult and community learning quality coordinator at Greenwich Community College, shadowed Ian Noutch, deputy principal at Barking College, and visited Liverpool Community College at the invitation of Wally Brown, then principal. "I benefit enormously from the experiences," she said. "They have given me a valuable overview of how leaders make decisions and consult staff; how to manage a diverse team of people and include them in the decision-making process; and how to allow others to take a lead and find solutions together, as a collective."

Richard Ellis, group head of corporate social responsibility at Alliance Boots, has been a mentor on the scheme every year. "I would like to pay special tribute to Rachel Organ and her team for organising these placements so splendidly," he said. "They do an excellent job and are the unsung heroes.

"Each principal has very different reasons for wanting to participate in the scheme, so one approach doesn't fit all. I don't have intimate knowledge of all the skills they say they need, but I do know who does within Alliance Boots."

Dame Ruth Silver, chair of LSIS, said, "In the week that LSIS completed the transfer of the CEL and QIA businesses, I am delighted to see the clear connection made between business and the sector. The skills agenda has huge significance for this country, and we must build our understanding and develop more mutually beneficial partnerships.

"As many principals and senior managers now attest, work shadowing offers enormous value to professional and personal development at all levels. I am very pleased that this excellent scheme is a strong part of the LSIS portfolio."

Top photos, from left: Dr David Collins CBE (principal of South Cheshire College and president of the AoC); Geraldine Grainger (John Lewis); Dame Ruth Silver DBE (principal of Lewisham College and chair of LSIS); Ornella Barra (Alliance Boots), John Wareham (Marks & Spencer); Richard Ellis (group head of corporate social responsibility at Alliance Boots); Dame Ruth Silver; Ingrid Dick (adult and community learning quality coordinator at Greenwich Community College); and Frank Botham (principal of Strode's College).