People and Leadership
PwC partnered with Standard Chartered to design and deliver its Enterprise Leadership Programme, equipping senior leaders with the mindset and capabilities to create value in an increasingly complex, fast-changing global environment. Through immersive global experiences, thought leadership and ecosystem-focused learning, the programme has strengthened collaboration and leadership impact,
Developing enterprise leaders with the vision to create value in a changing world
Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group, with a presence in over 50 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Similar to other global organisations, the bank faced the dual challenge of pursuing long-term growth while responding to short-term pressures and opportunities in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. To excel, it recognised the need for a group of senior leaders with the skills, vision and enterprise mindset to navigate this landscape and drive the organisation forward.
PwC was invited to partner with the bank to design and deliver the Enterprise Leadership Programme (ELP) – a 18-month initiative aimed at reshaping the beliefs and behaviours of Standard Chartered’s 35 high potential leaders. Sponsored by the Group Chief Executive, the programme sought to shift leaders into long-term, ecosystem-aware thinking, broaden their strategic horizons and strengthen collaboration across the organisation. The ambition was not simply to develop individual leaders, but also to build a collective leadership community capable of driving the bank’s future success.
Working as one team across the UK, US, Asia and Africa, PwC brought together specialists in strategy, leadership, customer experience, technology, AI and organisational development. The programme was grounded in a new value-creation framework co-developed with the bank, providing a shared reference point for understanding how the organisation could create value in a changing world. This foundation shaped a learning journey that combined thought leadership, immersive experiences and exposure to emerging global trends.
The programme was delivered through four in-person modules held in strategically important markets – China, India, Kenya and the United States. Each module centred on a three-day event featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, client-site visits and experiential learning. PwC’s global network played a central role, bringing in subject-matter experts and senior leaders to challenge participants’ thinking and expose them to new perspectives. The design was intentionally dynamic, evolving in response to participant feedback and the bank’s shifting strategic priorities.
A defining feature of the programme was its emphasis on collaboration and collective leadership. Participants worked together across markets and functions, breaking down silos and building strong relationships that have continued beyond the programme. PwC’s consultants and Standard Chartered’s leaders co-created the experience, with some PwC partners even joining modules as participants, reinforcing the sense of shared learning and trust.
The impact has been significant: 70% of participants have been promoted or taken on larger portfolios, strengthening leadership capability across the bank. Leaders report a marked shift in mindset, greater confidence in navigating emerging ecosystems, and a deeper understanding of how to create value beyond traditional banking models. Collaboration has increased, with leaders coming together more frequently to address complex challenges and drive cross-organisational initiatives.
Beyond individual development, the programme has helped embed value creation into leadership conversations and decision-making. It has also impressed many external participants, who contributed to individual modules and observed the quality and impact of the programme’s design. Several have been interested to explore how PwC could bring aspects of the programme to their own senior leadership, in other industries, reflecting the programme’s distinctive nature and transferability.
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