Developing people, impacting business and transforming lives since 2001
Twenty-three years ago, Stellenbosch Business School partnered with a small group of private sector business executives to launch USB Executive Development (Pty) Ltd, known as Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development (SBS-ED). This concept of a private short course provider with ties to a business school operating as a true business venture was born out of a market need for more effective and relevant business learning within industry. Thus, SBS-ED was created as a separate entity from Stellenbosch University intentionally, to retain autonomy and to be able to react speedily to market changes, but to still preserve the benefit of the academic reputation, rigour and integrity of the university.
“It was a far-sighted experiment for both the University and the Business School,” said Prof Michael Osbaldeston, former director of Cranfield School of Management and external founding director on USB-ED’s board in 2011. “…Very few other similar institutions in the world had been brave enough to separate their academic and client-related activities, to enable the latter to operate as a truly commercial enterprise.”
One of the private sector founders, Dr George Lindeque, became the first Chief Executive of SBS-ED. He was succeeded by Frik Landman in 2005 who spearheaded a period of significant growth, including regional expansion into Gauteng, as well as into Africa and beyond.
Dr. Chris van der Hoven, a global strategy consultant and former Head of Learning at Wits Business School, is the current Chief Executive, having taken over the reins from Landman in 2018. “We take great pride in deep long-standing relationships nurtured with people development practitioners in highly regarded corporations, both locally and abroad. Apart from providing high academic standards, we are tirelessly striving to be agile and responsive in pursuit of bespoke solutions and the best possible client experience. Executive development evolves relentlessly so being innovative is in our DNA,” says Van der Hoven.
Over the past five years, Van der Hoven has streamlined internal processes, focused the product portfolio and re-structured the company’s operating model, thereby enabling accessibility by more businesses, industry verticals and countries.
“We celebrate every cohort that succeeds in one of our programmes, often in close collaboration with individual clients. Every Certificate Award Ceremony is an important milestone in the lives of our delegates and their employers, our clients. For us, these milestones are shared achievements that provide great joy,” says van der Hoven.
“We have also achieved various financial milestones that signal the improved operational capability and a growing track record of management and leadership growth. Our amazing staff are proud professionals with an incredible work ethic deployed in the service of our clients,” says van der Hoven.
One of the biggest challenges for SBS-ED during van der Hoven’s tenure has undoubtedly been COVID. “The national shutdown hurt a lot of our clients and we had to work with them to weather the storm,” says Van der Hoven. With that said, under Van der Hoven’s stewardship, SBS-ED was able to leverage the opportunities that technology presented during the challenging Covid years to leapfrog their asynchronous (online) learning agenda, in particular.
At SBS-ED, staff are guided by their “Client Promise”, a non-negotiable commitment to building deep longstanding relationships with clients, to better understand their needs. This promise extends to all stakeholders, including faculty, learning partners and the University shareholders.
“We literally ride on the coattails of the quality of the people at Stellenbosch University and the path towards transformation and inclusivity. We benefit hugely from the moral direction set by Stellenbosch University and the leadership of Innovus, all of which has contributed to the continued growth and reputation of Stellenbosch Business School, and of course SBS-ED.” concludes Van der Hoven.