Building confident future leaders at VMO2

Over more than a decade of partnership, DoThinkDo has helped Virgin Media O2 identify and develop its future leaders, equipping high-potential individuals with the confidence, communication skills and mindset needed to make a bigger impact in the business.

Virgin Media O2 was formed through the 2020 merger of Virgin Media and O2, creating one of the UK’s largest telecommunications businesses. DoThinkDo partnered with O2, and now VMO2, for over a decade, helping the organisation develop high-potential team members into confident, influential leaders.

• 16,000 team members
• 45.8 million customers

The Challenge

A powerful business needs powerful leadership.

As the organisation grew and evolved, VMO2 needed to equip its emerging leaders with the confidence, communication skills and presence required to make an impact, influencing teams, stakeholders and customers.

The business wanted more than traditional leadership training. It needed an experience that would help high-potential individuals step out of their comfort zones, raise their profile and unlock their potential.

The Solution 

The first DoThinkDo programme, Communication Sixpack, was delivered to a small group of senior O2 team members over a decade ago.

Rather than relying on theory or presentations, the programme focused on practical, high-energy experiences. Participants took part in immersive exercises and on-their-feet roleplaying designed to challenge them and build confidence in real time.

“It’s not about dry theory or abstracted ideas, it’s about an experience they have that means they leave the room a different person.” - Stuart Warner, Talent & Leadership Development, VMO2

The sessions helped participants strengthen their communication and leadership skills while discovering the impact they could have in the business.

Ashley Schofield, former Director at giffgaff, took part in the programme during his time at O2 and has since progressed to become CEO.

“In the Communication Sixpack I experienced the power of communication and the incredible impact you can have on people.” - Ashley Schofield, former Director at giffgaff

The Results

The results of the original programme were so strong that O2 rolled the training out across the wider organisation. Between 2013 and 2020, more than 200 employees took part in Communication Sixpack, a number that has since doubled following the formation of Virgin Media O2. Overall throughout the years, together we achieved: 

Year-on-year increase in employee engagement (Gallup Q12 ratings)
400+ attendees on Do Think Do training courses
Significant career progression into senior positions

One of the most powerful outcomes of the partnership has also been the number of participants who have gone on to take more senior roles within the organisation. The programme helped individuals find their voice, raise their profile and build the confidence needed to lead.

“The impact of using Do Think Do in our organisation has been significant. It’s helped to accelerate careers, it’s helped people to be promoted.” -  Andy Scrase, Head of HR Content, VMO2

“Their profile very quickly becomes much higher. That’s what really accelerates their career — raising that profile and raising the level of their ambitions.” - Stuart Warner, Talent & Leadership Development, VMO2

The Verdict

Several years later, one cohort returned for a refresher session, reflecting on how far their leadership journeys had taken them and revisiting the tools they had learned.

“Doing the refresher session has had two real benefits. One, I can see how far I’ve come. Secondly, it reminds me of the tools and principles I can use every day.” - Helen Roberts, Head of New Business Strategy, VMO2

“It was really helpful to reflect on the changes you’ve made and how far you’ve come, but also see what you can adjust moving forward.” - Jessica Salmon, Head of CVM, VMO2

“We all want a culture where people feel valued and part of something. This course delivers that, which is incredibly difficult to achieve through a learning experience. Do Think Do have delivered that for us.” - Andy Scrase, Head of HR Content, VMO2