PenCom collaborates with university on capacity building

IN its determination to improve the leadership and managerial skills of its staff, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has collaborated with the Business School of the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, to train some members of staff.

In a press release signed by Head of Communications, Emeka Onuora, PenCom, said the training, which esdheld in Abuja between March 16 and 20, 2015; featured presentations and a case study workshop facilitated by leading international experts on leadership strategy and sustainable development.

Participants were drawn from the managerial cadre in the Commission and were equipped with the necessary skills to translate things learnt during the programme into actions in the workplace while facilitators took turns to answer questions on issues raised by participants.

The programme with the theme, “Executive Education Programme: Sustainability Strategy, Leadership and Management for the Public Sector,” was delivered by the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI) of Edinburgh University, United Kingdom during which participants were granted access to the institution’s virtual learning environment.

Participants were taken through some topics including Orchestrating Winning Strategies, Strategic Leadership, Role of Pension Funds in Corporate Governance, Governance of Pension Funds, Regulations of Pension Funds, Sustainability: Overview and Global Trends; Aviation Infrastructure and Africa’s Development and Environmental, Social and Governmental (ESG) Integration across Asset Classes – an Investor’s Perspective.

The Director of the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI), University of Edinburgh; Dr. Kenneth Amaeshi said participants were given insights from researches on Sustainable Development, Pension Funds Management, and Leveraging Pension Funds for Infrastructure Development, Strategy and Sustainable Leadership.

“We have developed tools and training capabilities to equip managers and decision-makers with the requisite skills to create and implement sustainable strategies, in this way, linking academia with practice,” Amaeshi stated.

Other facilitators at the programme include Dr. Tazeeb Rajwani, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management and Director of Government Affairs Research Club at Cranfield University, United Kingdom; Professor Amon Chizema, a Chair in International Business strategy and Head of International Business, Strategy and Innovation at Loughborough University; and Martin Currie, Professor of Finance and Investment at the Business School of the University of Edinburgh; Martina Macpherson, founder of the Sustainable Investment Partners (SI), a consulting firm specialising in strategy consulting business development and investment analysis services; and Adun Okupe, the Africapitalism Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh.
Founded in 2011 on the pillar of research, engagement and teaching, SBI is domiciled at the Business School, University of Edinburgh and had developed into a world-class and reputable initiative.