The first generation of 38 future leaders have graduated from Dubai Holding's Leadon programme, which is designed to develop individuals with high potential.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding; Ahmad bin Byat, CEO of Dubai Holding; Fadel Al Ali, Executive Chairman – Operations, Dubai Holding and the chairmen and CEOs of Dubai Holding's member companies.

The Leadon graduates received certificates from the Leadon faculty, London Business School, University of Michigan, Henley Business School, Executive Perspectives, and Weiner, Edrich and Brown.

Gergawi said: "At Dubai Holding, we recognise the importance of leadership to success. We have witnessed its impact on our performance. We have seen how it can propel, or derail, a business strategy. That is why we created the Leadon programme. We want to ensure that we have the leaders required to manage the business challenges the senior management team creates."

Launched in September 2007, Leadon is designed to establish a cost-effective and viable executive leadership programme across Dubai Holding's entities and help build the conglomerate's future leadership pipeline. It also positions Dubai Holding internationally, as a champion of excellence in leadership development.

Bin Byat said: "The Leadon programme has a significant impact on the future leadership of Dubai Holding. The nurturing of individual's talents and skills is a strategic priority, so that we can ensure our leaders have what it takes to move Dubai Holding forward."

Dubai Holding's leadership model is built around four development verticals – strategic thinking, inspirational leadership, operational excellence and personal growth. Confirming that the second generation of the Leadon programme would be launched shortly, Erik Slotboom, Chief Human Capital Officer, Dubai Holding, said: "When it was established two years ago, the Leadon programme was designed to instil the qualities that are required for leadership within Dubai Holding. With this graduation we can say the Leadon journey has been accomplished."

It is benchmarked against similar programmes in global organisations, including General Electric, the multinational technology and services company, and Toyota, the world's largest automaker by revenue.

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