​Carrington West was proud to sponsor and support the recent Soft Skills and Personal Branding for Future Leaders event, an engaging evening dedicated to early careers professionals across our specialist sectors - organised by CIOB Tomorrow's Leaders and the RTPI South Coast Young Planners' Network.

The event welcomed attendees with insightful presentations from two expert speakers: Mark Manning of Ashford and LinkedIn trainer and coach, Alice Fewings. The talks were followed by an informal networking session, giving participants the chance to put their newly learned soft skills into action.

Soft Skills and Networking with Mark Manning

Mark opened the evening by defining the often-underestimated value of soft skills including personal attributes like communication, leadership, and time management that go beyond technical capabilities. He highlighted that while technical knowledge is crucial, it’s soft skills that underpin long-term career success and leadership potential.

Mark also introduced his “Seven Bs” of effective networking:

•Be There: Show up where your industry peers are.

•Be Prepared: Know who will be attending and have your elevator pitch ready.

•Be Brave: Don’t shy away from introducing yourself.

•Be Memorable: Make a lasting impression.

•Be Interested & Interesting: Listen well and engage meaningfully.

•Be on Brand: Represent yourself and your organisation professionally.

•Be Creative: Don’t see limitations—create your own opportunities.

His message was clear: view networking not as a daunting task but as an exciting opportunity to grow professionally.

LinkedIn and Personal Branding with Alice Fewings

Alice followed with a practical session on building a personal brand through LinkedIn. She reminded us that personal branding is the reputation you leave behind when you’re not in the room, and LinkedIn is a powerful tool to shape that narrative.

Her three-step framework included:

1.Profile: Use a professional photo and write a headline that highlights your value, not just your job title.

2.Presence: Engage consistently by commenting on posts, sharing updates, and reflecting on your learning.

3.People: Proactively connect with others and personalise your invitations.

Alice encouraged attendees to overcome barriers like “not having time” or fear of judgment by starting small and staying authentic. She noted that while AI can support content creation, your voice is what builds trust and connection.

​

​

The event was nicely rounded off with networking over refreshments, offering attendees a chance to apply what they’d learned in real time. From new graduates to early-stage professionals, the room was buzzing with energy, ideas, and ambition. We are proud to continue championing early careers development across all our sectors, because future leaders are built on more than just technical skills.