Henleys’ global Strategy Programme to be offered in South Africa

Henley Business School is bringing its flagship Henley Strategy Programme to South Africa next year, in a move that aims to equip executives in the local market with the judgement and acumen to lead change in turbulent times.    

‘Modern strategy demands a global outlook and purposeful ambition and this intensive, three-day executive course, which is one of Henley’s most popular short courses in the UK, delivers that and more,’ says Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean of Henley Africa and Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Reading (Global Engagement Sub-Saharan African).   

‘We are beyond delighted to be able to offer this dynamic short course in South Africa as part of our winning philosophy of combining our global outlook with local relevance.’   

Foster-Pedley explains that Henley Business School, which is part of the University of Reading, has an enviable global network of teaching and learning spanning several continents. And the economies of scale achieved from its Johannesburg campus mean it can offer this flagship international programme at an extremely competitive local price point, making it one of the most cost-effective choices for executives locally to study this crucial discipline at a top-ranked international business school.   

Why strategy is the core leadership skill 

The Strategy Programme will be led by Dr Narendra Laljani, who also heads the programme in the UK, a seasoned management educator, consultant, and CEO coach with three decades of experience in executive education.   

Dr Laljani emphasises that strategy today is far more than financial modeling, formal analysis or planning; it is the ultimate act of insightful leadership emerging through real, organic conversations and the ability to synthesise diverse, often conflicting perspectives across functions like finance, marketing, and operations. 

‘Strategic leadership requires skillful judgement honed by practice and is a crucial discipline that separates organisations that merely react from those that actively shape their future and drive sustainable growth,’ he says.  

‘Strategy is, at its core, about making choices that remain robust as circumstances change, underpinned by a willingness to continuously challenge established assumptions and overcome corporate inertia,’ says Dr Laljani.  

‘My personal definition is that strategy is the unfolding encounter between intention and chance. What we can do is articulate a strategic intent and then we can be agile so that when chance events occur, we can quickly reiterate our strategy process and maybe do something that's slightly different or modified or adapted.’  

‘The course challenges leaders to focus on doing the right things, not just doing things right. This may require stepping back to define the right goals rather than merely improving existing processes.’ 

Immediate impact in real-world situations 

Former graduate of the programme, Claire King, comments that the programme was exceptionally practical, backing up theory with real-world applications and equipped her to make key changes in her organisation in a way everyone could understand and follow. 

'The course really gave me the confidence to deliver my strategy and clearly communicate the reasons why I was changing the direction of the business.’ As a result, the majority of people in the business can clearly articulate the company’s vision and are all aligned on where the company is going, she estimates. 

Dr Laljani adds that bringing this programme to South Africa means that local delegates can directly engage with strategic issues grounded in the African market, tackling local challenges with global frameworks, and not just relying on imported case studies. 

The programme will run for the first time in Africa from 2 – 4 February 2026 at Henley Business School Africa’s Paulshof campus. It is specifically designed to help senior professionals strengthen their ability to ideate, execute, and adapt strategically in a competitive environment. The course concludes with a virtual follow-up session focused on applying strategic tools directly within participants’ own organisations. 

‘Participants will leave the programme with a clear understanding of strategic analysis and execution, supported by an actionable personal plan ready for deployment,’ comments Jonathan Stock, Director of Open Undergraduate Programmes at Henley Business School. 

‘They will also gain immediate access to Henley Business School’s vast international alumni network of 100,000 plus executives and entrepreneurs, accessing lifelong professional development opportunities.’ 

For more information about the programme or to register, click here.