An international institution with campuses in Africa, Europe, and Asia, Henley is one of seven business schools in Africa to feature in this prestigious annual ranking, regarded as the leading benchmark of quality and relevance for global business schools. According to Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director of the school’s African business, the accolade serves as a testament to the school’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovative education, and ongoing efforts to shape ethical and capable business leadership on the African continent.

Henley Business School has delivered its international Executive MBA in South Africa for over 30 years, but it’s executive education work has only expanded in the past decade.

Linda Buckley, Henley Africa's Head of Learning Experience and Executive Education Director, attributes the commendable ranking to the attention to detail paid to each programme’s design and their ability to bring out the best in delegates. “Henley's South African clients provided a significant portion of the positive feedback, demonstrating the school's proficiency in devising tailored solutions that address the region-specific challenges faced by businesses,” she adds.

Foster-Pedley sees the ranking as a confirmation of the institution's growth and progress adding that the demand for top-tier management education has become increasingly crucial in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic turbulence.

“In the current climate, it is clear that only the finest education with a human touch can enable individuals and organisations to successfully navigate the intricate and rapidly changing business landscape. This recognition of Henley Business School as a leading executive education provider on a global scale is a testament to our reputation for our innovative and family-friendly approach to equipping executives, managers and leaders in all sectors with the expertise necessary to navigate these uncertain times.”

A winning edge to the school’s approach is the diversity of its faculty, for which it ranked top in the world, he adds. “A diverse faculty can bring unique viewpoints and research opportunities to the student experience, and plays a key role in giving students a sense of belonging. Diverse perspectives enhance teaching and engagement with the community and the world.”

Buckley acknowledges the support of Henley Africa’s corporate clients. “We wouldn’t be here without them! It is an exceptional privilege to be entrusted to work with so many of the continent’s top organisations to inspire and upskill their people. Together we are building the people, who build the businesses, that build Africa,” she said.

“Additionally, our exceptional faculty, staff and educators both here and in the global Henley community have played an integral role in helping us achieve this ranking, and I would like to use this opportunity to pay tribute to them all.”

Seventy five schools from around the world were ranked by the FT in 2023, with clients’ satisfaction scores determining 80% of the total ranking. Other factors such as teaching methods, follow-up (a measure of the level of follow up offered to participants after their return to their workplaces) and aims achieved were also taken into account.

The ranking looks at both open programmes, which are open for enrolment by individuals and customised programmes, that are bespoke creations for corporate clients. Henley is ranked 25^th for custom executive education, up from 28^th in 2022, and 21st for open programmes, giving it a combined ranking of 20. Other African schools to feature in the combined rankings include the UCT Graduate School of Business, which tied with Lagos Business School in Nigeria in 44^th place, and the Gordon Institute of Business Science at 32. The American University of Cairo School of Business in Egypt features at 62nd in the open rankings. HEC Paris topped this year’s combined rankings.

The combined programme ranking details can be found on the Financial Times website here. The open programme rankings can be found here and custom programme rankings here.