BMF and Henley sign landmark deal to foster transformational leadership

Get ready for a leadership renaissance; the Black Management Forum (BMF) and Henley Business School Africa have announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership aimed at nurturing a new generation of transformative leaders in South Africa.

According to Monde Ndlovu, Managing Director of the BMF, this powerhouse partnership marks a significant milestone in both organisations’ commitment to fostering leadership excellence, economic inclusion, and socioeconomic empowerment in the country. 

“The combination of the BMF’s rich legacy of advocating for black leadership and economic inclusion with Henley Business School’s commitment to and expertise in developing transformational African leaders for Africa will be a powerful force to shape the future of leadership in the country,” he said. 

Jon Foster-Pedley, dean and director of Henley Business School Africa, agrees. “This partnership isn't just about building skills and careers for individuals; it's fundamentally about building a better future for South Africa. By combining our expertise and passion, we're creating momentum to inspire and empower leaders to drive positive change.” 

Foster-Pedley adds that education and skills development are the biggest levellers and the most democratic tools we have at our disposal to build a more equitable and more competitive economy. 

“We can’t build an economy, especially not a diversified and modern one of the sort South Africa should be striving for, if people are not sure of themselves and lack the capabilities required. As business schools, we are in the game of providing the talent to build economies; this calls for a wholesale reimagining of what we do and how we do it and forging partnerships of this nature with like-minded organisations such as the BMF is a key way for us to move faster towards our goal. 

Both the BMF and Henley Business School have played a distinctive role in South Africa over several decades. The BMF is one of South Africa’s oldest management empowerment platforms and has been advocating for the socioeconomic transformation of South Africa for 48 years. Henley Africa, an international business school which is part of the University of Reading in the UK, has been building African leaders for more than 30 years. It is regularly recognised as one of South Africa's top business schools, most recently being named the number one MBA business school in the country for the seventh year in a row by pmr.africa. 

Foster-Pedley says that the partnership formalises an existing alliance between the two organisations and will focus on creating tailored training programmes designed to equip professionals with the skills and insights needed to navigate the complexities of modern business environments in South Africa. Using innovative learning approaches and thought leadership, the collaboration aims to empower leaders to lead with purpose, drive transformation, and foster inclusive growth. 

Key elements of the partnership include:

• Executive Education programmes: Jointly developed accredited management and leadership programmes that will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to excel in leadership roles and drive positive change in Africa.
• Leadership workshops: Specialised workshops focused on specific leadership competencies, such as strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and change management.
• Collaborative initiatives: Joint research projects, conferences, and networking events to foster knowledge sharing and industry engagement. 

“We are excited that this initiative is poised to deliver opportunities that can help us change the economic landscape of South Africa,” said Ndlovu. “Ours is a powerful alliance based on shared purpose. We both believe in building people, who go on to build the organisations that build our country and continent. By combining our expertise and resources, we can create a more inclusive and equitable business environment.”