For an amazing seventh year in a row, Henley Business School, an international business school that has been active in Africa for more than 30 years, has received the prestigious Diamond Arrow Award from pmr.africa, recognising it as the leading MBA business school in South Africa. The ranking is based on direct feedback from the South African corporates that employ MBA graduates, which, according to Henley Africa dean and director Jon Foster-Pedley, makes it all the sweeter.
‘These annual awards by pmr.africa are invaluable,” says Foster-Pedley. “While global rankings and accreditations are vital, there's no substitute for direct employer feedback on the skills graduates bring. It keeps all institutions focused on practical excellence.’
Pmr.africa's annual national survey gathers feedback from 300 employers (listed companies, large corporations, government) on MBA graduates, evaluating them across 20 criteria – from academic knowledge of their industry, entrepreneurial skills, innovation, financial marketing and strategic management to environmental awareness and insight into sound sustainable development.
‘We’re humbled by this vote of confidence from employers,’ adds Foster-Pedley. ‘It's a powerful validation of our commitment to nurturing a generation of ethical and highly effective African business leaders. This award isn't just a recognition of our MBA programme; it's a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our faculty, staff, and, most importantly, our graduates who go on to wow the corporates that vote for us year after year.’
As a top international business school with deep roots in the local context, Foster-Pedley says Henley’s mission has always been to build the people who build the businesses that build Africa. For decades, the school has offered African students its gold standard Flexible Executive MBA (structured over 30 months) at a highly competitive rand-based price-point. Students registered in South Africa can access the degree at roughly 50% of the cost of enrolling in the UK. And if their budget and appetite permit, they can extend the experience by adding on an international study visit.
‘This makes our Flexible MBA (with or without the international study visit) extremely popular among aspiring leaders wanting to navigate the complexities of a globalised world,’ says Foster-Pedley. ‘Finding the right learning partner is crucial to career advancement.’
Foster-Pedley says the degree is unique in Africa because it is dual-accredited by the United Kingdom and South African accreditation authorities. ‘This makes it the only true international MBA qualification in the country,’ he says. ‘Students are registered in South Africa but gain an international qualification when they graduate.’
The success and rapid growth of the Flexible Executive MBA in South Africa has paved the way for Henley Business School to bring its much-praised Global Executive MBA to the country. For the first time this year, South Africans will be able to enrol in this exclusive degree, which is ranked 8th in the world by QS Global Trade Rankings, at around 70% of the cost of enrolling in the UK. While essentially the same core offering as the gold standard Executive MBA, the global track is a transnational experience with a handpicked senior multinational cohort and study immersions in five strategic global locations, individual executive coaching and opening the door to turbocharging a global executive career. It offers high-level learning and international insights to set up candidates' global C-suite executive careers.
‘Aside from the recognised prestige that this degree offers, there’s really nothing to touch it in the South African market right now,' explains Foster-Pedley. ‘If you aspire to operate globally and remain relevant and connected in this day and age, you need a learning partner that can supercharge your influence at a global level.’
Johan Hattingh, CEO of pmr.africa, says that Henley Business School Africa’s consistent excellence is remarkable. ‘Their dedication to developing exceptional graduates with strong business acumen and a deep understanding of the African landscape alongside global realities has resonated with employers for seven years running. The introduction of new programmes like the Global Executive MBA further demonstrates their commitment to evolving alongside the needs of the business world.’
The first intake of the Henley limited-intake Global MBA in South Africa will be in October 2024.
Photo caption: (L-R) Henley Africa's Frempong Acheampong (Academic and Governance Director), Lyneth Zungu (Head of MBA), and Jon Foster-Pedley (Dean and Director)