Standard Bank has earned global recognition for its commitment to growing its own timber for future leadership. The bank secured the 2026 Excellence in Practice (EiP) Silver Award from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Global for Talent Development.
This award recognises the Group’s Retail Executive Programme, developed in partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), as a leading example of impactful learning and development. EFMD Global commended the programme for its role in building a strong talent pipeline within Standard Bank’s Personal and Private Banking division, while cultivating a network of innovative, future-focused leaders across the organisation.
“It is a great privilege to receive this recognition. This accolade is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to developing leaders who can help shape the future of banking in Africa. Through the Retail Executive Programme, we have built a connected, future-ready leadership community that is applying its learning to solve real business challenges, drive innovation and create measurable impact,” said Saras Govender, Head of People & Culture at Standard Bank Personal and Private Banking.
The prestigious EiP Awards celebrate impactful collaborations between organisations and learning partners that deliver measurable business results through innovative talent development initiatives. Standard Bank’s award-winning programme was designed to equip Personal and Private Banking executives with digital retail banking capabilities, while fostering a customer-centric mindset and strengthening leadership collaboration across the continent.
As Africa’s largest bank by assets, operating in more than 20 sub-Saharan countries, Standard Bank runs numerous executive development programmes to develop its talent pool to take up more senior roles and lead innovation in the bank. Launched 12 years ago, the Retail Executive Programme has focused on equipping Standard Bank’s talent pool to respond to a rapidly evolving retail banking landscape. The initiative addresses the need for leaders to move beyond siloed thinking, embrace innovation and identify emerging industry trends.
In those 12 years, the programme has reached nearly 200 junior- to mid-level executives. More than 60% of solutions developed through Action Learning Projects have been incorporated into Standard Bank’s strategy, demonstrating tangible business impact and return on investment.
“Our long-standing partnership with GIBS has enabled us to co-create a programme that is deeply relevant, practical and transformative for our business. The measurable adoption of solutions into our strategy demonstrates how leadership development can directly drive innovation and commercial value,” says Govender.
She adds that by intentionally building a strong, diverse leadership pipeline, Standard Bank is shaping its future in financial services and redefining retail banking across the markets it operates in.
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