GALLERY: Rising Star winners celebrated

Winners of the fourth annual Standard Bank Rising Star Awards were announced at a glittering event held at the Hilton Sandton Hotel on 24 July.

Young South African business talent stemming from various business sectors were acknowledged for their inspirational contribution to industry.

The awards were established to recognise, celebrate and reward young professional individuals in an effort to raise awareness of the country’s pool of skills, as well as increase the various sector skills base.

This year’s programme saw a record number of close to four hundred entries, which were narrowed down to five potential winners in each of the programme’s twelve industry categories through a rigorous three-phase judging process, involving over 40 judges from business and government.

“Standard Bank is proud to associate with these awards,” said Standard Bank’s Global Head of Resourcing, Amelia Muller. “They [the awards] are a significant and sustainable vehicle through which organisations, our country as well as our continent can identify and nurture organisational and national assets who are set to play a key role in shaping the future,” said Muller.

Managing director at BlackBark Productions and co-founder of the rising star programme, Laura Barker also congratulated the winners.

“We look forward to them becoming part of one of the most influential networks of tomorrow’s leaders,” she said.