Audi UK has launched a bespoke leadership development programme to support heads of business and aspiring leaders across its retail network.
The Audi Vorsprung Leadership Programme has been developed in partnership with Hult Ashridge Executive Education and is designed to help Audi Centre leaders strengthen performance, culture and customer experience in a fast-changing automotive market.
Audi said the programme was created with input from senior leadership team members at Audi UK and leaders from across its network to ensure the content reflects the realities of modern automotive retail.
The programme is delivered through a blended learning model, combining virtual learning with immersive residential modules at Ashridge House, giving participants time away from day-to-day business pressures to focus on personal and professional development.
It is built around three areas: leading self, leading team and leading the business. These modules cover themes including self-awareness under pressure, resilience, leadership identity, inclusive team cultures, accountability, influence, collaboration and customer experience.
Retailer development
The programme will run over the next two years, with each participant’s development journey lasting between six and nine months. It will culminate in a graduation event where participants share learnings, development outcomes and celebrate their success.
Audi said the programme is also intended to help current and future leaders build stronger connections with each other, creating support networks that continue after the formal learning has ended.
Stefan Wyatt, head of sales at Audi UK, said: “By developing confident, self aware leaders who know how to engage, motivate and retain their teams, we’re creating stronger cultures within our Audi Centres. When our people feel supported and inspired by great leadership, that shows up directly in the quality of the customer experience – through consistency, care and long term relationships. The Audi Vorsprung Leadership Programme is about building leaders who don’t just drive performance today, but who create environments where people choose to stay and grow with Audi.”
Karen Boulton, Audi UK people development manager, added: “The Audi Vorsprung Leadership Programme has been designed to fit the reality of modern leadership in our retail network, which is why we’ve taken a truly blended approach to learning. Leaders will experience immersive residential modules at Ashridge House, where the focus is on experiential learning and where they are given the time and space to step back, reflect and think differently. It’s a very human programme – focused not just on what our leaders do, but on who they are and how they show up every day.”
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