Corporate Retreat

The biggest challenges facing organisations today cannot be solved from behind the same boardroom table.

Whether you are shaping a new strategy, bringing leadership teams together, exploring opportunities for growth, or creating space for innovation, sometimes the best thinking happens when you step away from the day-to-day.  

Set within the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) campus in the heart of the Cotswolds, our corporate retreats at the Alliston Centre combine exceptional meeting facilities with access to nature, expert networks, and inspiring experiences designed to encourage fresh perspectives and meaningful conversations.  

What are our corporate retreats? 

Our retreats are immersive, purpose-driven experiences designed to help organisations focus on strategic thinking, team development, collaboration, and innovation. Rather than a traditional corporate away day, we create opportunities for leaders and teams to step back, think differently, and make progress on the issues that matter most to their organisation.  

No two organisations face the same challenges, which is why each retreat can be tailored around your objectives, priorities, and desired outcomes.  

Who are they for? 

Our corporate retreats are ideal for: 

• Leadership and executive teams 
• Growing businesses developing future strategy 
• Organisations looking to strengthen collaboration 
• Teams seeking dedicated time for innovation and problem-solving 
• Businesses exploring new partnerships, opportunities, or areas of growth 

Whether you are planning a focused leadership retreat, a strategic planning session, or a team development experience, we provide the setting and support to make it impactful.  

Why choose us? 

As the RAU’s business development space focused on land use innovation and the future of farming and food systems, we specialise in bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, policymakers, investors, and industry experts within a collaborative ecosystem.  

By hosting your retreat with us, you will benefit from: 

• Our unique countryside setting on the RAU campus 
• High-quality meeting and conference facilities in our contemporary Alliston Centre space
• Access to a diverse network of experts, innovators, academics, and industry leaders 
• Opportunities to connect strategic discussions with real-world innovation and emerging thinking 
• A balance of productive workspace, outdoor environments, and curated experiences that encourage creativity and fresh perspectives 

What’s included? 

Each retreat is designed around your organisation’s goals and can incorporate a range of experiences and activities, including: 

• Strategy and planning sessions 
• Facilitated workshops 
• Leadership development activities 
• Team collaboration and innovation sessions 
• Expert keynote speakers and facilitators 
• Introductions to researchers, investors, innovators, and changemakers 
• Networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders 
• Guided walks of the RAU Wild Campus and FWAGs GREAT Market Garden project
• Visits to pioneering businesses, farms, research projects and innovation hubs 
• Locally sourced catering and dining experiences, including private wine tastings featuring our University wine  
• Accommodation at the University and access to its facilities such as gym and padel courts

Options for smaller organisations 

You don’t need a large team to benefit from a corporate retreat. 

We offer a shared retreat model enabling two or three carefully selected organisations to attend at the same time. Each organisation has access to private meeting space for confidential discussions, while sharing selected meals, visits, and networking opportunities with other participants.  

This approach provides the space needed for focused strategic conversations while creating valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful professional connections.  

Ready to create space for your next big idea?

Whether you’re planning a leadership retreat, strategy session, innovation workshop, or team away day, we would be delighted to help create an experience tailored to your organisation’s goals. 

Contact us at farm491@rau.ac.uk to discuss your requirements, check availability, and start planning your retreat with us.