RED Stripe has reaffirmed its commitment to developing home-grown talent with the graduation of 44 team members from its ‘LEAD Unlock’ leadership development programme. The milestone was celebrated at the company’s Vibes Bar, marking the completion of a 10-week journey designed to equip emerging and current leaders with the skills to drive innovation, foster team engagement and lead with impact.

Launched in September 2024, LEAD Unlock is a key pillar of Red Stripe’s long-term succession planning and employee development strategy. Through a rigorous curriculum of experiential learning, leadership theory, peer coaching and cross-functional collaboration, participants explored the kind of leadership needed to deliver sustainable business growth in today’s evolving marketplace.

“Leadership at Red Stripe is about more than decision-making — it’s about accountability, empowerment, and culture building,” said Red Stripe’s Managing Director Daaf van Tilburg. “LEAD Unlock is how we future-proof Red Stripe by building a new tier of leaders equipped to think strategically, act boldly, and foster a culture where initiative and care drive every decision. In addition to deepening our succession planning, the programme is about sustaining our legacy and contributing to Jamaica’s long-term productivity and economic vitality.”

Participants were drawn from across the organisation, ranging from team leads to frontline supervisors — based on demonstrated leadership ability or emerging potential. The programme was also intentionally aligned with Red Stripe’s core values and the leadership competencies of the global HEINEKEN network.

The graduation event marked a pivotal moment in Red Stripe’s leadership development efforts, with graduates outlining how they will translate programme insights into real-world impact, from driving team performance to strengthening cross-functional collaboration.

For the newly promoted Red Stripe Flavours Brand Manager Arnaldo Martin, the experience was transformational.

“LEAD Unlock gave me clarity and confidence. It challenged my thinking, helped me build stronger relationships and gave me the tools to lead with intention.”

Red Stripe Laboratory Supervisor Maisha Satchell shared a similar sentiment. “It pushed me out of autopilot and into purpose. I began thinking differently about how I support my team, how I communicate, and the kind of culture I want to create.”

BELOW: From left, Diageo brand manager Nadine Hylton; and channel development managers Ernie Muir and Dian Rance, bring infectious energy to the start of the graduation ceremony.

ABOVE: Red Stripe head of corporate affairs Dianne Ashton-Smith (left), and laboratory supervisor Maisha Satchell share a purposeful exchange ahead of the graduation.