A UK-developed leadership skills programme based on applying lessons learnt from the military is to be implemented on a permanent basis by global retailer Walmart.

The Leadership Academy is to become the retailer's permanent centre of excellence for developing accelerated leadership skills for its high-potential managers, having been introduced as a trial in 2009 by Walmart in the US, since when around 500 managers have graduated from the scheme.

The scheme is designed and directed by the UK team strategy consultancy McKinney Rogers, whose founder is a former Royal marine. The consultancy specialises in taking the expertise needed to enable individuals to quickly execute complex missions in the most demanding of environments, and putting it into international business. 

Chief executive Damian McKinney says that much of the company's approach "is based on the methods successfully applied at the British military’s renowned colleges, such as Sandhurst and Lympstone – and particularly the Ministry of Defence’s Staff College”.

Celia Swanson, senior vice president of talent development for Walmart US, says: “We know our associates are our greatest asset; investing in the development of our future leaders is essential. Through The Leadership Academy, we have developed talented leaders, managers and associates around the country - providing immersion training and broader development for our leaders.

“We appreciate the partnership with McKinney Rogers and their support in developing a world-class training program that focuses on building high performing teams relevant in today’s business environment.”

• In April of this year, Recruiter hosted a book event on Stephen Bungay’s The Art of Action, looking at how recruiters can learn lessons from military leadership in both the recruitment of senior roles for clients and within their own organisation. See the report on the event from the May edition of Recruiter here, or videos of Bungay and participants here.