This paper presents the perspectives of English adult social care sector partners on the qualifications and standards required for leaders as they prepare to meet the demands of commissioning and commissioned personalised care across service user groups. Using an action research cycle guided by Coghlan and Brannicks (2010, p 4) organisational centred model (McCray and Palmer, 2009) it benefits from the previous experience, practice learning and reflection in action of the partners and researchers who were involved in an earlier phase of the research cycle. Findings presented are derived from focus group discussions with strategic and organisational leaders from the English adult social care sectors including those for older people, people with complex disability, learning disability, acquired brain injury and mental health. Leadership development needs required for the commissioning of personalised care in a changing context of health and social care delivery are identified. The paper also shows how action research can make a contribution to knowledge and practice by continuous engagement between researchers and participants through a period of transformation.