To help me with this apostrophe- or not!

[Amythesianwaterfall]

I am looking for guidance here oh grammar goddesses of mumsnet!

Should there be an apostrophe in the phrase:

Future Leaders Programme ?

I think it should be: Future Leaders' Programme.
However the written information I have received does not contain one. Thank you!

[girlwhowearsglasses]

If it was cats it wouldn't be 'future cats' program' though?

[Binkyridesagain]

How many leaders are there?

[moosemurphy]

Yes you are right, it is the Programme of the Future Leaders, therefore there is an apostrophe after the s of Leaders.

Girl, I don't understand your comment - it would be future cats' programme

[CuttedUpPear]

If more than one leader than it's correct in your OP.
If only one leader than the apostrophe should be before the S.

[CuttedUpPear]

then it's correct

[neepsandtatties]

Assuming it is a programme for a number of people who have been identified as being future leaders then yes you are correct.

if it is denoting the schedule of the Labour party future leader, then it should be 'Future Leader's programme'

[DoJo]

I would put one in, assuming the programme is for future leaders. If it was a programme called 'Future Leaders' then I wouldn't, but it would depend on fairly footling things such as the font size and graphic design as to whether or not that was clear.

[Megrim]

Nope - it doesn't need an apostrophe. The programme does not belong to the future leaders.

[WilsonFrickett]

Future Leaders' programme is correct. I have both been on one and written copious amounts of copy for and about them!

(assuming more than one leader, of course)

[Wibblypiglikesbananas]

Yes, it should be Future Leaders' Programme - as the programme effectively 'belongs' to the leaders.

If the situation were to involve cats (plural) it would indeed be Future Cats' Programme.

Singular - the leader's programme/the cat's programme
Plural - the leaders' programme/the cats' programme

[bragmatic]

Is it a program called 'Future Leaders'? then no.

If it is a leadership program for future leaders, then yes.

I think...

[TillyTellTale]

It's a programme for 'future leaders'; it's not a programme that belongs to the 'future leaders'. 'Future Leaders' is just a label here. It's like saying "the Intermediate programme is on Tuesday".

For example, "I go to Mrs Salisbury's History lesson". It is the class belonging to Mrs Salisbury, not the class belonging to Mr Tewkesbury, so there is an apostrophe. But the lesson time is for History, it doesn't belong to History, so no apostrophe.

[Amythesianwaterfall]

Thank you! Just was doubting myself and thought I had made a massive mistake!

[squeaver]

You are correct. I don't understand the comments by girlwhowearsglasses or megrim. Of course it would be the Future Cats' programme. The programme doesn't need to belong to the Future Leaders, but it does relate to them.

[Megrim]

You could say it was Unilever's Future Leaders Programme, it would not be Unilever's Future Leaders' Programme.

[JamNan]

It sounds a little awkward IYSWIM, why don't you call it "A Programme for Future Leaders" ? Then you won't have the problem with the apostrophe.

[PuppyMonkey]

Well that's all nice and cleared up for everyone then.

[Wibblypiglikesbananas]

The examples given by Megrim and Girlwho are incorrect.

Apostrophe of possession/genitive case. The 'belongs to' was by way of illustration.

Have to say, I'm shocked by some of the replies on this thread!

[littlebluedog12]

Ooh, I was with bragmatic but I'm not sure now... Tilly makes an excellent point.

If it is capitalised throughout i.e Young Leaders Programme then I think there is an argument for either way, as long as it is consistent.

[HauntedNoddyCar]

If it's the programme called 'Future Leaders' then no apostrophe
If it's the programme for Future Leaders then apostrophe.

[Wibblypiglikesbananas]

Tilly - your response shocks me the most. Absolutely incorrect.

[StealthPolarBear]

Actually I agree with tilly
it couls indicate possession in which case it wouod be future leaders'
Or it could just be the name of the programme
back to work progrmame
Driving on ice programme
future leaders programme
children and young people programme vs children's and young people's programme

[littlebluedog12]

Wibbly I think Tilly makes perfect sense. If you said Brownies Summer Camp, it wouldn't be Brownies' Summer Camp. The camp doesn't belong to the Brownie.

[JamNan]

I can't see anything wrong with Tilly's post.

[StealthPolarBear]

If you had a programme about fruit it would be the apples and pears programme.
if it was for fruit to attend it would be the apples' and pears' programme

I think thats the difference here