New AI for Leaders Programme Launches in Wales Backed by Welsh Government Funding
30 March, 2026
New AI for Leaders Programme Launches in Wales Backed by Welsh Government Funding
A 6-week programme from Code Institute aims to help Welsh business leaders turn AI adoption into measurable business impact
Code Institute is bringing its AI for Leaders programme to Wales in April 2026, offering a fully online course designed to help business leaders move from AI awareness to practical implementation. The programme is supported by Welsh Government funding, covering up to 75% of the cost for eligible businesses.
The launch comes as AI adoption increases across financial services, particularly in compliance, client servicing, risk management and back-office operations. But adoption and value are not the same thing. Research from MIT found that 95% of enterprise AI deployments produce no measurable P&L impact. For Welsh financial services businesses, there is a further dimension. Leaders building AI initiatives without a governance framework already in place risk creating compliance exposure rather than competitive advantage.
Delivered by an Ofsted Outstanding provider of digital and AI education, the programme is aimed at managers, directors and business owners seeking to build actionable AI initiatives within their organisations. Participants will progress from assessing their current AI capabilities to building a prioritised portfolio of opportunities, supported by a quantified business case with return-on-investment projections.
The course follows a structured format, moving from initial assessment through to execution-ready outputs. Early sessions assess organisational readiness and identify viable initiatives. Participants build a working AI tool during the programme and develop an augmented workforce model that integrates AI into team operations. Later modules address data infrastructure, workforce transformation, governance and compliance. The final stage consolidates everything into a costed business case with ROI projections, stakeholder mapping, and a 90-day action plan with defined owners, timelines and accountability.
The programme is fully online, with 18 contact hours delivered across six weeks (two half-day sessions and four evening sessions) allowing participants to take part without disrupting their working schedules. It is delivered by David Kelly, who leads Data & AI Strategy Transformation at AXA Ireland, and Peter O’Connell, Head of Product at Code Institute. David brings over 25 years of experience leading digital and AI transformations across financial services. Peter draws on senior roles at Dell, Intel, Quest and HP to lead curriculum design that meets the demands of the modern workforce.
Code Institute has been delivering digital and AI skills training since 2015, working with over 2,000 business partners across the UK and Europe. It was named Best European Bootcamp 2025 by Course Report. For professionals looking to build on their AI knowledge, Code Institute also offers programmes in data analytics and Python designed for working professionals with no prior technical background.
Additional support is available through the Welsh Government’s Flexible Skills Programme, with a £2.1 million funding package available to help Welsh businesses integrate AI into their operations, bringing the net cost to approximately £375 for eligible participants.
Applications for the April 2026 cohort are now open.
Find out more and register your interest:
https://codeinstitute.net/ai-