Lena the star of Leadership Shadowing scheme

Monday 25 October 2021

Ladies’ College student Lena Lenkovska achieved the highest accolade at this year’s IoD Leadership Shadowing finals night.

Lena’s presentation reported on her placement with Glen Tonks, Country CEO of Credit Suisse. The judges were impressed by her understanding of leadership and the leadership actions she observed.

Ten students were shortlisted from 45 participants for the finals night where they presented to a panel of judges and an audience of business leaders, fellow pupils, teachers and family.

The finalists shared what they had learnt during the placement, how leadership styles differ and the role and characteristics of a good leader.

Pictured: This year’s judges, Brooke Kenyon, Managing Director (Client Services) at Orchard PR, Jennifer Strachan member of the IoD Committee, Rick Martin, Director of Source Recruitment, and Wendy Dorey, Chair of IoD Guernsey Committee.

Wendy Dorey, Chair of the IoD, said: “Leadership development is one of the IoD’s key priorities and this doesn’t just apply to our members. To develop a successful business environment, we need to consider the next generation and prepare them to follow in our footsteps.” 

KPMG are the scheme’s sponsors and Source Recruitment coordinate student placements by matching students to leaders within businesses that align to their career aspirations, wherever possible. The students also benefitted from presentation skills training given by Orchard PR. 

Linda Johnson, Advisory Partner at KPMG, said: “The standard of presentations seems to reach new heights every year, but what never changes is how much the students and the business leaders gain from this experience. 

“The feedback we receive from all participants is a testament to how different this experience is to regular work experience. We hope the scheme continues to go from strength to strength.” 

Senior businesspeople across the island share their time and experience with students who spend two days observing their management style, identifying critical leadership skills and discussing career paths and opportunities.  

Rick Martin, Director of Source Recruitment and judge at the finals night, said: “The insight the students have gained during just a few days with some of Guernsey’s top leaders is fantastic. 

“The level of presentations we judged were top tier and all of the students should be incredibly proud with what they have achieved.” 

The scheme, which has been running for more that 20 years in Guernsey, placed 45 students with more than 35 local organisations in 2021.

Pictured: Lena Lenkovska receiving the trophy from Glen Tonks. 

The full list of this year’s shortlist and their respective awards are: 

First prize/ distinction: Lena lenkovska, The Ladies’ College - shadowed Glen Tonks, Credit Suisse

Distinction: Lydia Datta, The Ladies’ College - shadowed Nichole Culverwell, Black Vanilla;

Distinction: Charlotte Bertrand, Blanchelande College – shadowed Paul Beale, KPMG;

Merit: Ethan Ellis, Elizabeth College – shadowed Tim Wilson, IQEQ2;

Merit: Holly Wilkinson, Grammar School & Sixth Form Centre – shadowed Elaine Gray, Carey Olsen;

Merit: Maisy Nicholls, The Ladies’ College – shadowed Jeremy Firth, Guernsey Sports Commission;

Highly commended: Louise Le Tissier, The Ladies’ College – shadowed Natalie Finlayson & Linda Johnson, KPMG;

Highly commended: Charlie Cohen, Grammar School & Sixth Form Centre – shadowed Olly Duquemin, Resolution IT;

Highly commended: Peter Heyworth, Elizabeth College – shadowed Lucy Papworth, KPMG;

Highly commended: Sophie Duquemin, Grammar School & Sixth Form Centre – shadowed Maree Wilms, Zeta Capital.