Developing retail leaders of the future
Congratulations to seven WDF team members who have been selected for the Developing Retail Talent Scheme 2016. The scheme to help develop retail leaders of the future was piloted with 4 individuals in 2015 and, due to the success of the programme, has been expanded to seven team members this year.
The aim of the training scheme is to give focussed development to individuals who have been identified as having the potential to become high performing retail leaders of the future – whether it be as a Trading Manager, Customer Service Manager, Manpower Planner or Replenishment Manager.
Team members throughout WDF were nominated by managers and colleagues and were invited to three regional assessment days in order to determine their suitability for the development programme. Spaces are limited in order to provide a dedicated focus to a distinct group of developing individuals. The 2016 scheme was officially launched on 12th April when the group came together with their line managers, L&D and members from the project group for the day to set expectations and explore the programme content. See below a picture of the group on their launch day.
The 7 successful individuals are Dilasha Patel, Steve Hunt, Mitesh Thakarshi, Matt Drew, Charles Handbridge, Emma Castle and Joe Baker.
The Developing Retail Talent Scheme involves specific training modules on a range of retail leadership topics as well as one-to-one mentoring. Four of the team will also have the opportunity to attend the foundation course in retail management at the Oxford Summer School with each individual requiring to do a ‘pitch’ to secure their place.
