Reimagining Leadership Through Partnership and Purpose

By Christina Bates, Head of Finance, Allstate Northern Ireland

Leadership is changing, and we must too evolve the ways we nurture it.

In Northern Ireland, where collaboration and dialogue remain the cornerstones of progress, the Centre for Democracy and Peace Fellowship Programme shines as a model for how business, politics, and civic society can come together to shape a better future.

As a Trustee of the CDP and a member of the Fellowship’s Advisory Board, I see firsthand the great returns of investing in leaders who unite empathy with evidence and ambition with purpose. The Programme is more than a leadership course, it’s a movement that challenges assumptions, creates dialogue, and equips Fellows to lead through complexity.

Bringing together emerging and established leaders, the Fellowship champions inclusive, values-based leadership that evolves alongside the society it serves.

At Allstate, we believe business has a vital role to play in building a more inclusive and resilient society. Supporting the Fellowship reflects our values of integrity, innovation, and community impact.

This is partnership, not simply philanthropy. We host sessions, share expertise, and engage directly with Fellows, strengthening both the programme and Allstate’s leadership culture. By investing in future leaders, we are also investing in the long-term social and economic health of Northern Ireland.

Since its launch in 2021, the Fellowship has supported nearly 100 leaders from across politics, business, and civil society. Many have gone on to shape policy, drive organisational change, and lead initiatives that make a tangible difference, like improving transport accessibility..

The continued engagement of Alumni is key to the programme’s success. The networks built through the Fellowship endure long after the sessions end, supporting collaboration where it’s needed most: between business and politics, across sectors, and across communities.

This year’s cohort is the most diverse to date, representing five political parties and a wide range of industries. My hope is that they embrace the spirit of possibility that defines the Fellowship, challenging one another, building bridges, and learning to lead together.

When Allstate hosted the Governance, Finance and Policy Design session on 9 October, it reinforced a simple truth: sound governance and ethical decision-making are not ideals but essentials, the foundation of sustainable business success.

Today, companies are expected to deliver more than profit; they must deliver purpose. By supporting initiatives like the CDP Fellowship, business leaders can help build a culture of empathy, accountability, and collaboration.

At Allstate, we believe leadership is a shared endeavour, and that when business and society work together, Northern Ireland’s future can be defined not by division, but by possibility.