The ELO Oxford Leadership Program 2026 will be welcoming another outstanding cohort of Christian business leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals from North America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East!
The continued growth of the program reflects an increasing demand for world-class executive education grounded in a Christian worldview. Since its launch in 2018, the ELO Oxford Leadership Program has developed a distinctive reputation as the world's premier leadership development experience for marketplace leaders who desire both academic excellence and practical application.
The vision for the program began with Dr. Richard J. Goossen, Founder of ELO Network and Program Director of the ELO Oxford Leadership Program.
After years of working with entrepreneurs and business leaders across Canada and internationally, Dr. Goossen recognized a significant gap in executive education. While institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, and other leading universities offered exceptional programs in leadership and management, there were very few opportunities for senior leaders to engage in executive education that integrated a thoughtful Christian worldview.
The ELO Oxford Leadership Program was created to fill that need.
Today, it provides an educational experience comparable to executive programs offered by the world's leading universities while intentionally exploring the relationship between faith, leadership, entrepreneurship, ethics, culture, and human flourishing.
Held each summer in Oxford, UK, the program combines academic excellence with meaningful dialogue among accomplished Christian leaders from around the globe.
One distinctive feature of the ELO Oxford Leadership Program is its unique faculty model.
Rather than partnering exclusively with one Oxford college, ELO intentionally recruits leading scholars from across the University of Oxford to create an "all-star" teaching team.
Faculty have included internationally respected scholars such as:
- Dr. John C. Lennox
- N.T. Wright
- Lord Nigel Biggar
- Sir Andrew Pollard
- Isabella Bunn
In addition to academics, participants hear directly from accomplished business practitioners who have successfully integrated faith and leadership throughout their careers.
Past speakers have included:
- Lord Stephen K. Green, former Chairman and CEO of HSBC Group
- Lord Robert Edmiston, Founder of IM Group
- Gary Grant, founder of The Entertainer Toy Company
- Philip Ng, Chairman of Far East Organization
Since 2018, more than 100 leaders have completed the ELO Oxford Leadership Program!
Participants have represented countries throughout the world. The diversity of backgrounds enriches classroom discussion and creates a powerful international network of Christian marketplace leaders. Industries represented have included high-tech, software, manufacturing, automotive, real estate development, construction and engineering, finance, law, aquaculture, consumer products, and floriculture.
ELO cohort members serve in senior leadership roles such as:
- Founder
- CEO
- President
- CFO
- HR Executive
- Board Director
- Family Business Leader
A unique characteristic of the ELO Oxford Leadership Program is the number of family businesses represented. Many participants attend alongside family members, including fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, siblings, or multiple generations of business owners. Company founders also frequently sponsor key executives to strengthen leadership capacity throughout their organizations. These shared experiences often become catalysts for stronger governance, succession planning, strategic thinking, and deeper conversations about integrating faith into business leadership.
One of the strongest endorsements of the program is the number of alumni who return for additional years. Participants consistently praise the combination of academic excellence, practical business insight, meaningful peer relationships, and spiritual encouragement. Many describe the experience as transformational, not only professionally, but personally and spiritually.
The relationships developed during the week frequently continue long after participants return home, creating an expanding global community of Christian leaders committed to serving their organizations and communities with wisdom, integrity, and purpose.
Interested in attending the ELO Oxford Leadership Program?
