Change-makers in focus

Fast-tracking future leaders to success

How we help:

FrieslandCampina partnered with Hult EF Corporate Education to design a fast-track leadership development program for 270 future high potential leaders. Delivered in 12-18 months, the program combined work-based initiatives with dynamic leadership development experiences to equip future change-makers with leadership capabilities to steer significant culture change.

Nourishing the world while building a better planet

Formed in a 2009 merger between Friesland Foods and Campina, FrieslandCampina is the second-largest dairy co-operative in the world with 21,000 employees, offices in 28 countries, and sells to 100 countries worldwide.

“Future leaders deeply feel their responsibility. They have connected to their future role and have emerged as greater advocates of the organization, our values, members, and products.”

Willem van der Lee, Corporate Director of Talent & Leadership Development, FrieslandCampina

The Challenge

FrieslandCampina needed support to strengthen performance and innovation across the organization, develop internationally mobile leadership capability, and profitably innovate the use of milk in a saturated market.

This needed an initiative to work at multiple levels, engaging FrieslandCampina managers in workplace development opportunities and crucial leadership events to realize the significant culture change envisioned in the company’s route2020 strategy.

In this case study, we look at the experiential and highly personal process of learning through real-word experiences that stimulated new cultural energy to create change at FrieslandCampina.

Using human potential and real-world experience to drive cultural change

Our impact

We co-created a fast-track leadership program to develop high-potential leaders through workplace development opportunities and transformational leadership events. This encouraged ongoing learning, deep-rooted personal growth and change, which helped to realize the company’s route2020 strategy. The program seamlessly blends the development of human potential with real-life experiences, alongside a structured program of organizational challenges for a truly innovative and immersive learning experience. The program led to new initiatives and innovation at FrieslandCampina, including a new route to market in Saudi Arabia, securing new customers in Vietnam, and the creation of a CSR ambassadors’ network. Future leaders have continued to be placed in key positions across the organization, increasing their responsibilities and fast-tracking to future leadership roles – 47% of the future leaders have moved into new roles within 30 months of starting the program.

Fast-tracked future leaders

47% of the future leaders have moved into new roles within 30 months of starting the program.

New global markets and initiatives

The experiential program was expanded to the Middle East and Asia.

Fast-tracked future leaders

47% of the future leaders have moved into new roles within 30 months of starting the program.

New global markets and initiatives

The experiential program was expanded to the Middle East and Asia.

See our work in action

We have helped more than 3,000 organizations, from large multinational companies, to governments, to public sector businesses, to charities. Our capacity to deliver customized programs at scale makes us the provider of choice for global businesses and governments.