The Academy will focus on formal career development processes and fast-tracking quality candidates. Today marks the start of the first programme in the Academy in partnership with UCT’s Graduate School of Business.

The programme will focus on honing the skills and leadership competencies of the selected team members. The first cohort consists of 17 employees from across the group, with 76% black and 41% female employees. These employees will attend a specialist leadership development programme over the next six months that will focus on catapulting them into the next stage of their leadership progression.

Spur Corporation CEO Val Nichas said: “As the new leadership team, we have embarked on a process of developing Spur Corporation into a leading organisation and an employer of choice across all levels of the franchise network. We are focusing on deliberate transformation, including societal awareness and contribution, technological advancement, environmental sustainability and employment equity. A key priority is our people, with employee talent acquisition, career progression and retention. The launch of the Rising Leaders Academy is an important step in our commitment to learning and development.”

During the last year, the group has significantly increased its investment in skills programmes, with further internal programmes to be introduced this year to employees at lower levels.

UCT Graduate School of Business Director of Business Development Rayner Canning said:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a household brand and a truly African business like the Spur Corporation. It is through such partnerships that we, as a business school, realise our mission of helping leaders and organisations seeking to make a positive business and societal impact in Africa and around the world. We are looking forward to assisting the Spur Corporation to grow and develop its most valuable asset, its people, through the visionary Rising Leaders Academy.”

Certain of the participants commented:

• “I am very proud of the faith the group’s leaders have in my current and future potential. I am excited to be equipped with the tools I require to step up to our purpose of Leading for the Greater Good.” – Estelle Radley, Regional Operations Manager: International

• “This programme gives me an opportunity to practice and discover my hidden aptitudes so that I will acquire the skills to influence not only those around me, but also those in our broader society.” – Tiyiselani Maluleke, Business Intelligence Product Owner

• “This opportunity offers me with a great opportunity for networking, collaborating, learning and growing outside of my field of expertise. It shows me that Spur is focusing on mentoring and growing the people in our business for the best possible future for us and the group.” – Nabeela Gaffor, Financial Reporting Specialist

• “Being selected as one of the candidates indicates that the company is committed to my growth as a future leader. I will use this opportunity to open doors for other future leaders within the organisation.” – Auralia Giwu, Regional Operations Manager, Spur Steak Ranches, Western Cape

Rising Leaders at their first session

Header Image: Moshe Apleni (Head of Transformation), Colleen Carr (Group Executive: People, Leadership and Culture), Prof Mmamokgethi Phakeng (UCT Vice Chancellor), Cristina Teixeira (Chief Financial Officer)