From Africa to the world – international immersion bestows global mindedness on SA insurance executives

On Saturday 9 November, 28 South African insurance sector executives taking part in the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) International Executive Development Programme (IEDP), jetted off to Kenya, Malaysia and Dubai, on an international immersion that forms part of the course’s academic offering.

The IEDP – a PGDip (NQF level 8) qualification – sets out to guide insurance executives on how to navigate many of the challenges facing the industry, including trends set out in PwC’s ‘Insurance 2025 and Beyond’ Report, which include narrowing the widening trust gap in an uncertain world, reacting to rapidly evolving customer needs and preferences, and operating in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.

‘The aim of the programme is to develop transformed leadership that is sufficiently equipped to respond rapidly to changes that occur within the complex insurance industry with agility, positivity, and an innovative, visionary mindset,’ says INSETA CEO Gugu Mkhize.

‘This year’s immersion into Kenya, Dubai and Malaysia will provide delegates with invaluable exposure to the intricacies of international insurance environments, enhancing their understanding of global market trends and industry innovations,’ she says.

By engaging with diverse perspectives and best practices from around the world, participants will emerge better equipped to navigate challenges, identify growth opportunities, and implement strategies that drive success in their respective organisations and the sector at large.

‘It’s an experience we believe will foster professional growth, deepen cross-learning, and strengthen delegates’ ability to contribute to the evolving landscape of the insurance sector,’ says Gugu. ‘But the programme is about more than just academics, it’s about the networks you form and the relationships you build both within the cohort itself and on the international immersion.’

The value of international immersions

International immersions have become a cornerstone of executive education. They enhance leadership skills by offering experiences that build adaptability, cultural awareness and strategic thinking. ‘Stepping into diverse environments and engaging with perspectives that are different to your own allows leaders to grow personally while gaining insights and skills that can be applied in their own workplaces, and which are essential for success in a globalised world,’ says Linda Buckley, Executive Education Director and Head of Learning Experience at Henley Business School Africa.

Key benefits of international immersions include:

• A wider understanding of how societal, economic and political factors influence business operations in different regions
• Immersions help leaders develop the ability to navigate complexities and enhance productivity through collaborative stakeholder management
• Networking with peers, industry experts and local business leaders can lead to future collaborations and create lasting bonds between participants
• Real-life exposure to companies, business leaders and industry experts give participants insight into best practices and innovations at play in the countries visited
• Immersions challenge leaders to step out of their comfort zones and engage with diverse culture, which impacts their ability to lead teams across borders.

Experiences like these broaden the mind, create a global mindedness and promote deeper thinking and consideration of how best to apply knowledge, says programme director Gené van Heerden. ‘They offer delegates invaluable exposure to the intricacies of international insurance environments, enhancing their understanding of global market trends and industry innovations.’

‘At Henley we really care about the delegate journey, which is one of the reasons why we are so successful in the executive education space, where we are among the top 30 schools globally,’ says Linda. ‘We are passionate about the people who pass through our programmes and the institutions, like INSETA, who facilitate them.’