University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB)

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has teamed up with the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) to create an innovative international leadership development programme specially geared to advancing women in the company.

The UCT GSB was chosen above several other leading international business schools, such as London Business School, Bocconi, Insead and IESE, to develop and host the programme for J&J in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). The programme was launched in October 2007 and has had resounding success within the organisation.

Rosemary Grant, head of Business Services in the UK, Chairperson for the Women’s Leadership Initiative for J&J in EMEA and Sponsor for the programme, said this initiative is another important step in the company’s focus on diversity and leadership.

“Diversity drives results. Business success and leadership requires that all perspectives and backgrounds exist throughout all parts of today’s organisations. Furthermore, global operations require global reach, thinking and understanding. The programme addresses diversity as a foundation for results in many ways and the choice of UCT brought in a further dimension which is backed by a strong reputation in negotiating diversity and driving change,” she said.

Elaine Rumboll, Director of Executive Education, noted that there are significant synergies between the UCT GSB and the programme’s philosophies.

“The most natural way to maximise the different experiences and perspectives found within an organisation is to recognise and harness the strengths of a diverse workplace as J&J is demonstrating,” said Rumboll. “The history of the UCT GSB and South Africa brought a unique dimension to delivering on J&J’s objective.”

According to Nina Wanendeya, Director of Business Development at J&J’s medical devices sector in Europe, who headed the team developing the project, the goal of implementing the programme was to support the organisation in its drive towards diversity as a key business imperative.

“The world is more dynamic and more complex, so decision-making and actions require different and faster ways of thinking and acting. At every step, the team has used this as a basis for delivering the result which is an innovative programme that should further position J&J for continued success,” explained Wanendeya.

Rumboll added, “We are pleased that J&J chose UCT for this prestigious programme over other top business schools based on our comprehensive offerings and unmatched credentials on female leadership development.”

In 2007 the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) rated the UCT GSB Executive Education division in the top four globally for programmes customised for companies. The unit was also given an Award for Excellence for its customised programmes.