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Kate Terry, 41, gained the confidence to secure a secondment to a senior role at the West Midlands Combined Authority after completing Beyond Boundaries, a 12-month Civil Service development programme designed to help staff progress their careers.

Based in the West Midlands, where she lives with her husband (also a civil servant) and their two rescue cats, Kate joined the Civil Service three years ago after working in professional services and higher education. Despite her experience, she felt she needed support to progress within the organisation.

Overcoming personal barriers

鈥淢y Mom only ever worked part-time in an office and my Dad was a stonemason. No one in my family has kind of got these sort of early manager, middle manager roles,鈥� says Kate. 鈥淓specially given I鈥檓 from the Midlands, and I鈥檝e got an accent鈥� when you come across people that speak very posh, they use words I don鈥檛 understand, I鈥檝e always just kind of shied away from it.鈥�

Learning from senior leaders

Beyond Boundaries helps civil servants from junior to middle management grades develop their leadership potential through coaching, networking and practical projects. For Kate, the programme鈥檚 coaching sessions and conversations with senior leaders were transformative.

Through direct engagement with Deputy Directors, Kate discovered that senior leaders also face their own challenges: 鈥淭hey鈥檙e vulnerable, and they鈥檙e not perfect, they鈥檙e not on this pedestal. They make mistakes.鈥�

Growing confidence

The programme continues to influence how Kate approaches her current role. 鈥淚鈥檝e come into this role, and there鈥檚 a lot of stuff I don鈥檛 understand, and there鈥檚 a lot of stuff I need help with. And actually, I鈥檝e been a lot more vocal in standing up for myself鈥� Before, I would have just been quietly suffering in silence.鈥�

Most significantly, Kate credits Beyond Boundaries for giving her the confidence to pursue her current position: 鈥淚 never would have gone for this role, this external secondment, had I not done Beyond Boundaries. Without a doubt, there is no way I would have even entertained the idea.鈥�

Building lasting networks

The programme鈥檚 impact extends beyond the workplace. Kate鈥檚 cohort continues to meet every few months, maintaining valuable connections and supporting each other鈥檚 development.

Her advice to potential applicants? 鈥淚t鈥檚 the stuff that you won鈥檛 expect to learn about yourself that makes it so special.鈥�

Keep an eye out for details on how to apply for Beyond Boundaries in Summer 2025.