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Strengthening Leadership at Plessey Through ILM-Accredited Development

Plessey continues to invest in developing strong, capable leaders across the organisation through its ongoing partnership with Crisp Professional Development. 

This investment comes at an important time for the business, as Plessey continues its growth journey in developing microLED, optical compute, and interconnect technologies for the AR and AI industries. 

In 2025, a new group of managers and emerging leaders were selected to undertake the ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management — a nationally recognised qualification designed to build practical leadership skills, confidence and strategic thinking. 

Delivered through a combination of face-to-face learning and expert support from the Crisp Professional Development team, the programme enabled participants to apply their learning directly to real workplace situations and challenges within the business. 

We are delighted with the recently announced results, which reflect both the commitment of the participants and the impact of the programme. All members of the team successfully completed the qualification, with several achieving top marks.  

Those involved reported immediate benefits in areas such as communication, decision-making and team leadership, strengthening their ability to lead with confidence and consistency. 

This ongoing investment in our people marks another step in Plessey’s long-standing commitment to development, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring the business is well-equipped for future growth.

Susie Morcom, People & Culture Director 

“We’ve seen delegates become noticeably more confident and proactive in their leadership approach. Managers are communicating more effectively, handling difficult conversations with greater confidence, and taking more ownership within their teams.” 

Bill Allen, ILM Head of Centre, Crisp Professional Development 

“It was a pleasure to work with the delegates – Plessey should be very proud of the team. They participated fully, held meaningful discussions on the content, and completed all their work within the given time frames – It is not an exaggeration to say that their scores on the two reports are one of the highest averages we have had for any cohort.” 

Plunder & Splash at Plymouth Pirates Weekend Raft Race

Our Plessey team recently took to the water to compete in the vibrant and much-loved Pirates Weekend Raft Race, held in the heart of Plymouth’s waterfront celebrations. The event brought together teams from across the region, all competing in front of a lively crowd.

Against a competitive field of 10 teams, our Plunder & Splash crew delivered an outstanding performance, finishing in an impressive 2nd place overall. From building the raft with recycled materials to building momentum on the water, members across departments contributed to securing this fantastic result.

It was also brilliant to see such high footfall across Plymouth’s waterfront, with thousands of spectators lining the harbour to enjoy the festivities. The event continues to be a highlight in the city’s calendar, bringing together residents, visitors, and businesses in a unique setting.

We are especially proud that this year’s event supported the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Plessey was also proud to fundraise in aid of the charity, who play a vital role in saving lives at sea. In a fitting outcome, the RNLI crew themselves took 1st place in the race.

Plymouth’s waterfront continues to be a place where community, industry, and celebration come together—and we’re proud to have been part of it.