Standard Bank Rising Star finalists announced

The Standard Bank Rising Star Awards programme is a national platform that awards individual performance in the business arena. The finalists emerged from a rigorous three-phase judging process to be named as finalists and represent the top echelons of South African workplace talent.

From a record number of close to 400 entries this year, a panel of select judges from USB-ED chose five potential winners in each of the programme's 12 industry categories.

These categories embrace a broad spectrum of different professions within business sectors that include banking and financial services; energy and chemicals; construction and engineering; entrepreneurship; ICT; transport, logistics and supply chain; media and advertising; mining and minerals; professional services; manufacturing, retail and FMCG; public and private services; as well as tourism, leisure and hospitality.

Standard Bank's global head of resourcing, Amelia Muller, says the Rising Star programme was established for the purposes of recognising, celebrating and connecting young talented people who have a capacity for achievement and success and who contribute in an inspirational manner to the future of the nation.

Sustainable engagement

"Originating in South Africa, this programme has identified and assisted over 200 of the country's most talented young leaders and continues to go from strength to strength," she says. "Standard Bank's collaboration with industry icons such as the Rising Star has always been the objective of sustainable engagement - a way to express Standard Bank's long-term commitment to the youth of the African continent."

"We're delighted at the number and calibre of nominations received this year," says Laura Barker, MD of BlackBark Productions, organisers of the Rising Star programme.

"The increasing momentum of the Standard Bank Rising Star Awards year on year since its inception in 2012 proves that there is keen interest among the country's leading business organisations to see the issue of young talent elevated to the national agenda. It is our privilege to provide a platform that creates opportunities for talented individuals in the 28 to 40 year age bracket to grow, connect and give back."

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 24 July 2015 at the Sandton Hilton in Johannesburg.

For more, go to www.risingstar.co.za