Yum Leadership Accel

A step-change leadership development programme for high-potentials, designed by Shajeev Wanigasekara whilst at Bridge Management Training Limited.


"Practical and immediately applicable. It was unlike any leadership training I have had before."


Client Brief

Create a development experience that builds and strengthens Yum’s high potential managers to become the next-generation of executive leaders.

Shajeev was brought in by Bridge at the request of Yum’s then-Director of Talent, Cody Cluff, to design a programme that would provide a practical context in which participants could grow their strategic thinking, develop their commercial acumen and become inspirational leaders.


Business Simulation

As a part of the 6-month learning journey created by Bridge, Shajeev designed and scripted a business simulation that challenges participants to think and act as the country leadership of a Yum business – KFC, Pizza Hut or Taco Bell - to set strategy, execute tactical planning, deal with curveballs and inspire people to achieve breakthrough results.


"I loved the simulation. What a great way to learn a lot of really useful tools and a lot about yourself in an interactive and true to life way!"


As well as having designed the simulation, Shajeev has been the programme lead in Europe since 2014, heading the facilitation team and conducting 1-1 leadership coaching for participants.

Impact and Results

Leadership Accel is now a core part of Yum’s development curriculum, run annually in Europe and North America, with close to a thousand high-potential leaders having participated since its inception, many of whom have progressed to senior executive leadership roles.

The programme has won the Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Silver award and a Bronze medal at the CLO awards.

"Six years on, the programme continues to be a movement of huge growth in many of our markets across the globe"