The rules of the game change the moment you step into senior leadership, yet far too many professionals are playing with an outdated handbook. According to McKinsey research, between 27 and 46 percent of executive transitions are viewed as failures or disappointments within two years, because appointees are ill-equipped to handle the jump in complexity required.
In South Africa, this "readiness gap" cannot be bridged by technical expertise alone, research finds; it requires a pivot toward high-level behavioural skills such as leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial agility. In response to this disconnect, Henley Business School has launched a new Executive Development Programme (EDP) designed to fast-track managers into the C-suite, equipping them with the skills that define modern business leadership but are among the hardest to master: strategy, innovation, digital transformation, and leadership.
Designed to give busy professionals flexibility and choice
‘Henley’s EDP is designed for aspiring leaders who value flexibility and don’t have the time or resources to study a formal degree, or who are looking for a programme that allows them to target their unique skills gap,’ says Luke Andrews, EDP Programme Director.
‘Most executive programmes at this level offer a fixed curriculum, but we find that each leader has a signature skills gap that requires a customisable option,’ he adds. ‘By creating this flexible and personalised, non-academic track, Henley’s EDP offers the best of both worlds: a supportive cohort of like-minded professionals in a formal business school environment, but with radical flexibility that allows delegates to build executive capability in the targeted areas where they think they are weakest.’
The programme targets professionals poised for promotion or navigating complex organisational change. It can be completed between 6 and 12 months, depending on how participants tailor the programme to their unique requirements, offering flexibility to accommodate varying professional schedules and learning preferences.
‘For many ambitious professionals, the only barrier to executive education is time. Acknowledging the "always-on" reality of modern business, this course offers a flexible, practical and customisable alternative to traditional long-form programmes.
‘Our goal is to provide a fast track for leaders to fill their strategic gaps before they become career-limiting stumbling blocks.’
Access to international learning at a local price point
‘We've designed this programme for professionals who recognise that their next career leap requires more than operational excellence or old-school frameworks – it demands confident strategic leadership, problem-solving capabilities, and innovative thinking,’ says Jonathan Stock, Director of Open and Accredited Undergraduate Programmes at Henley Africa.
He adds that the programme combines Henley’s proven short-course content with personalised coaching and real-world application. Delegates will also gain access to leading international faculty from the Henley Business School global network at a local price point.
‘The economies of scale achieved on our Joburg campus mean that we can offer our flagship international content taught by global faculty and customised to the local context without having to charge international prices.’
A core part of the Executive Development Programme is the Strategy module, which is also offered as a standalone short course. Led by Henley global faculty member Dr Narendra Laljani, this three-day module immerses senior professionals in strengthening their ability to ideate, execute, and adapt strategically in a competitive environment. A virtual follow-up session also means that students are guided in applying strategic tools directly within their own organisations.
Participants can also choose an additional two modules from specialised options, including personal mastery and leadership, innovation and influence, and digital transformation, with cutting-edge offerings such as Strategies for Advanced AI Leadership in Africa.
Taking learning from the abstract to the real
Throughout the programme, participants work on a real business problem within their organisations through a structured and supported project. This allows real-time application of their learning and the opportunity to tackle strategic challenges with senior internal stakeholders.
‘Experience has shown us that this approach ensures immediate value creation for both participants and their organisations,’ says Andrews.
Alongside learning new skills, the EDP emphasises personal development and reflection. Participants are matched with a coach who they will work with to achieve their personal and professional goals; another unique feature of the Henley programme.
‘This bespoke support ensures you don't just gain new skills, but also develop the strategic mindset needed to implement them effectively and drive meaningful change within your organisation,’ adds Andrews
Access to Henley’s formidable global alumni network
Programme participants also automatically become part of Henley's global alumni network upon completion, providing ongoing professional connections and development opportunities across industries and continents.
Henley Business School has built a formidable global network of more than 100,000 alumni in 165 countries around the world over its 80-year history that has the potential to tap all students into global networks of influence,’ says Stock.
‘We believe that this is another unbeatable feature of this new EDP, rounding off the programme’s value proposition,’ says Stock.
‘Henley prides itself on driving innovation in the South African higher education scene to deliver on our mission to build the people who build the businesses that build Africa. We are confident that this new offering will shake up non-academic executive learning in SA in a way that delivers concrete value to individuals and organisations alike.’
Applications for the June 2026 intake for the Henley Executive Development Programme are now open. DM