Somerfield stocks up on management talent : Training program helps to solve a recruitment problem

Purpose – This article describes an award‐winning training programme that has helped Somerfield supermarkets to prepare potential managers from within the company for posts at senior‐manager/executive level. Design/methodology/approach – Draws on information provided by the company's management‐development manager. Findings – Reveals that the programme has created a talent pool of well‐respected individuals who are now approached to fill new positions and secondments, and consulted on various company initiatives. Costs have been cut and sales have increased. Practical implications – Highlights how the programme has helped Somerfield to change a situation that saw vacancies remaining unfilled for as long as six months. Originality/value – Shows that managers see the programme as something to strive for. Delegates have shared learning with colleagues, and it has reminded their managers to remember their own development.