Developing the next generation of business leaders

11 June 2011

As recruiters, our job is to help our clients by going out and finding the rising stars and we are very happy to do this. However, we also happen to believe that our role is actually to help you find the best solution for your business. Sometimes that's going to come from importing new talent and new skills from outside, but often it's more sustainable and better in the long term to recognise the latent talent that you already have in your business. That's why in 2003 we designed and launched the MorePerformance Leadership and Development Programme (MLDP).

The MLDP was designed to equip aspiring managers with the core leadership skills they'll need to build a successful career in the fresh food, horticulture and agri sectors. It delivers a range of personal development modules that are designed to highlight the difference between leadership and management and also introduces delegates to some of the key management skills that they'll need to develop as they progress their careers.

Since the programme was launched, more than 100 aspiring managers from 45 leading food and horticultural businesses have 'graduated' from the MLDP. In 2006 the programme was endorsed by TESCO Plc and recommended to suppliers by the Category Heads of both Produce & Horticulture and Meat, Fish, Poultry and Eggs, as an effective way of raising the skills level within their fresh product supply chain.

Now in its eighth year the programme has continued to evolve and last year gained accreditation by the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. This means that delegates now have the option to take up associated modules that, on successful completion, can lead to the award of a Graduate Certificate in Leadership.

Over the last couple of years 'Grow Your Own' and 'Local Sourcing' have become two of the biggest movements in our sectors. We believe that, with a proven track record of success, an endorsement from the UK's most successful retailer and the opportunity to gain a qualification from one of the UK's leading specialist University Colleges, the MLDP offers a unique opportunity for businesses in our sectors to apply a bit of that same logic to how they operate themselves.

Our next programme starts in September and runs over 12 sessions up until April 2012. Anyone wanting to find out more information and details of content, dates and costs should contact Jan Khan at jan@moreperformance.co.uk or Peter Hunt at peter@morepeople.co.uk. Alternatively, please call us on 01780 480530.