Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Developing the next generation of business leaders, is key to the sustainable success of any company. DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic skills development programme, which will focus on leadership and business management with the renowned Erasmus University, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The joint initiative called “Evolve”, will develop aspiring business unit and regional heads across DP World’s global portfolio of 78 ports in 40 countries. The partnership is with three subsidiaries of the Erasmus University Rotterdam: the Centre for Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL), the Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics (Erasmus UPT) and the Executive Education department of the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM).

The MoU was signed in Dubai between DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and RSM Executive Education Dean, Prof. Frank Hartmann. The event was also attended by the Deputy Consul-General of The Netherlands in Dubai, Ester van Someren, MEL Academic Director and Erasmus UPT Director, Dr. Larissa van der Lugt, RSM Programme Director for Evolve, Malou Kroezen, DP World Senior Vice President of Human Capital, Maha Al Qattan and senior company officials.

DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “Our industry is advancing at unprecedented speeds and as our business strategy develops to include elements of the wider supply chain, the expertise of our people also needs to grow and ‘Evolve’. Our future leaders need to know how to integrate new technologies into our business model and be equipped with the right tools and confidence to think outside the box – to conceptualise innovative new ideas to help us lead the future of world trade.”

DP World Senior Vice President of Human Capital, Maha Al Qattan, said: “The Evolve programme is a perfect blend of the latest research and insight of industry specific topics combined with leadership and change development. MEL and Erasmus UPT bring a deep understanding of the complexity and dynamics of global supply chains and combining this with the top-level experience of RSM in executive leadership education creates a unique environment for the development of our future business leaders.”

Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) Executive Education Dean, Prof. Frank Hartmann, said: “DP World’s inspiring vision to remain at the leading edge of trade innovation perfectly matches RSM’s strategy on academic thought leadership in logistics management.”

Centre for Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL) Academic Director and Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics (Erasmus UPT) Director, Dr. Larissa van der Lugt, said: “MEL and Erasmus UPT have vast experience in educating tomorrow’s business leaders in the complex, highly interconnected and dynamic industry of maritime trade and transport, logistics and ports, in which DP World has a key position.”

Leadership development, business management and enabling industry growth are key components of the Evolve learning journey that will be facilitated with international modules in countries that are critical to DP World’s business performance and success. Throughout the 1.5 year-long programme participants will work on strategic group projects, enabling cross-functional collaboration and company-wide innovation.

Evolve has been designed considering DP World’s business needs as it diversifies into new areas of the global supply chain, including logistics and free trade zones. The programme will provide participants with a wide range of active learning opportunities and feedback, combined with personal coaching to take an in-depth look at individual leadership strengths and weaknesses.

For DP World media enquiries please contact:
Sanaa Maadad 
Corporate Communications Manager 
DP World  
Tel: +971 505522610 
sana.maadad@dpworld.com 
 
Mike Vertigans 
Senior Corporate Communications Manager 
DP World  
Tel: +971 566769324 
michael.vertigans@dpworld.com 
 
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About DP World:

DP World 1 is a leading enabler of global trade and an integral part of the supply chain. We operate multiple yet related businesses – from marine and inland terminals, maritime services, logistics and ancillary services to technology-driven trade solutions.

We have a portfolio of 78 operating marine and inland terminals supported by over 50 related businesses in over 40 countries across six continents with a significant presence in both high-growth and mature markets. We aim to be essential to the bright future of global trade, ensuring everything we do has a long-lasting positive impact on economies and society. 

Our dedicated team of over 36,000 employees from 103 countries cultivates long-standing relationships with governments, shipping lines, importers and exporters, communities, and many other important constituents of the global supply chain, to add value and provide quality services today and tomorrow.

Container handling is the company’s core business and generates more than three quarters of its revenue. In 2017, DP World handled 70.1 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across our portfolio. With its committed pipeline of developments and expansions, the current gross capacity of 88.2 million TEU is expected to rise to more than 100 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.

By thinking ahead, foreseeing change and innovating we aim to create the most productive, efficient and safe trade solutions globally.

1 As of February 2018

© Press Release 2018