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From Corporate Logic to Creative Leadership

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Client

Standard Bank Group – unTAP & Acceleration Programmes

Partner

Henley Business School Africa and the Gordon

Institute of Business Science (GIBS)

Sector

Corporate Leadership / Executive Education

Challenge

Standard Bank, one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, recognized that traditional leadership approaches were no longer sufficient. As the bank shifted toward a platform business model, it required bold, future-fit leaders who could navigate complexity, lead change, and unlock innovation across 14 African countries.

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The challenge was clear: build internal talent pipelines that reflect the continent’s diversity and potential while embedding creativity and systems thinking at executive level.

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Our Approach

In partnership with Henley Business School Africa and GIBS, Alchemy Inspiration helped design and deliver two award-winning executive programmes: unTAP and Acceleration.

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As Programme Directors and Coaches, we ensured these leadership journeys were not about surface-level innovation but rooted in creative confidence, co-creation, and inner transformation.

We facilitated:

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  • Cross-functional leadership intensives

  • Design thinking challenges

  • Personal mastery and coaching labs

  • Cultural exchange sessions across borders

  • Deep reflection on purpose, power, and legacy

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Sessions were infused with play, storytelling, and rigorous inquiry, helping leaders shift from analytical to imaginative thinking.

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The Shift

What began as a leadership programme became a transformational journey. Leaders reconnected with their humanity, cultural awareness, and strategic vision. Relationships deepened across countries. Internal silos gave way to open collaboration.

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Most importantly, leaders began seeing themselves as custodians of Africa’s future, not just employees of a financial institution.

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Impact

  • EFMD Global Award-winning recognition (Silver in Talent Development, 2022)

  • 14-country leadership pipeline activated

  • Deepened internal promotion and leadership equity, including women and underrepresented groups

  • Described by participants as “life-changing” and “the most transformative learning journey of my career”

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Standard Bank’s investment in creative leadership is now seen as a global benchmark in executive education.

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