The King’s Seeing is Believing Programme
An immersive experience that transforms lives
This unique programme of visits brings together CEOs and senior business leaders in small groups to re-connect with communities across the UK. This programme is kindly supported by Salesforce and Linklaters. Since launching, it has made a significant impact:
Why get involved?
Now in its fourth decade, the purpose of these peer-led visits is for leaders to better understand the challenges facing society and how they can drive long-lasting changes for people, places and for business. Leaders say that being involved has been the single most effective way for them to be a catalyst for change.
2025 calendar of visits
- 6 March – Hounslow, led by John Bason, Chair, Primark, Chair of BITC’s Hounslow Place Board and Surinder Arora, Founder and Executive Chairman, Arora Group
- 11 March – Belfast, led by Noel Mullan, Commercial Director, Heron Bros
- 27 March – Glasgow, led by Roisin Currie, Chief Executive Officer, Greggs
- 29 April – Teesside, led by Louise Kingham CBE, Senior Vice President, Europe and Head of Country, UK bp plc
- 7 May – Belfast
- 21 May – London, led by Paul Drechsler CBE, Trustee, The Felix Project
- 22 May – Belfast
- 12 June – Norwich, led by Jason Storah, Chief Executive Officer, UK&I General Insurance, Aviva
- 19 June – Newport, led by Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner, Linklaters LLP
- 2 October – Rhondda Cynon Taf, led by Julie-Ann Haines, Chief Executive Officer, Principality
- 10 October – Coventry, led by Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, EVP and Chief Executive Officer at Salesforce UK&I
- Autumn – Rochdale, led by Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive Officer, United Utilities
- 11 November – Burnley, led by Adolfo Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer, Capita
“The King’s Seeing is Believing visits offer a unique opportunity for business leaders to better understand how we can deliver action and bring about impactful change to those most at risk of being left behind in communities across the UK.”
Richard Iferenta
Partner and Vice-Chair, KPMG“By enabling business leaders to see first-hand the challenges communities face, together, we can contribute innovative ideas towards sustainable solutions and use our time, expertise and resources in a positive way. I am proud that the firm now stands squarely behind the programme, and I am committed to maintaining a leading role in wider partnerships.”
Paul Lewis
Firmwide Managing Partner, Linklaters LLP“The programme is much more than just seeing and listening. Crucially, it is about the decisive action businesses can take to help address societal challenges. By working together, we can achieve great things.”
Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE
CEO and EVP, Salesforce UK & IrelandThe King’s Seeing is Believing Visit Leaders
Visit leaders are the driving force and energy behind the success of these; true champions that inspire others to come on a visit, take action and positively impact millions of lives across the country.
Adolfo Hernandez
Chief Executive Officer,
Capita
Surinder Arora
Founder and Executive Chairman,
Arora Group
Jason Storah
Chief Executive Officer, UK&I General Insurance, Aviva
John Bason
Chair,
Primark
Paul Drechsler CBE
Trustee,
The Felix Project
Paul Lewis
Firmwide Managing Partner, Linklaters LLP
The King’s Seeing is
Believing Council
The King’s Seeing is Believing Council ensures that the values and the prestige of the programme are maintained and sustained. The Council comprises influential and respected business advocates who have attended and led more than three visits.
History and Legacy
The King’s Seeing is Believing programme began as a single project in 1990 following HRH The Prince of Wales’s experience in Halifax. HM The King maintains a strong interest in this initiative and the impact business leaders can make when they truly understand the issues facing communities across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
BITC will gladly work with each visit delegate and their organisation to coordinate offers of support via our Place team or by connecting them with projects and organisations directly.
BITC is committed to following up with each delegate immediately after the visit to discuss their experience and any immediate actions as well as long-term commitments business leaders and their organisations are prepared to take as a result of what they saw and heard on the day. The Report Back event held in December, is an opportunity for the visit delegates to reconvene and report back on actions to The King’s Seeing is Believing Council.
Each visit starts with a briefing and ends with a debrief. During the day delegates visit various projects, often within voluntary and public sectors, and meet community leaders, local residents and individuals of all ages with lives experiences and other key stakeholders who openly share their experiences and hopes. Often, these conversations are very moving and inspire participants to think differently and take action.
The King’s Seeing is Believing visits are an immersive experience for C-Suite business leaders.
The King’s Seeing is Believing visit programme, first established in 1990 by His Majesty King Charles III, is one of the most well established and widely respected, experiential leadership programmes in the UK and its influence and reach over the last thirty years has engaged over 25,000 business leaders. Over the years, the programme has been a catalyst for campaigns in inner cities and rural communities, addressing issues such as homelessness, social mobility, education and skills. The programme has also helped focus investment and long-term support into places at risk of being left behind, such as Preston, Halifax and more recently Burnley, Wisbech, Blackpool, Coventry and Newport.
