BP Future Leader: Aida
Aida studied her Master’s in Engineering in Morocco, at the Mohammadia Engineering School. Following this she studied an MBA at Strathclyde Business School, where she was based in Glasgow and Dubai
The Future Leaders Programme is a mentored four-year global rotation programme which takes enthusiastic, talented people from a range of professional backgrounds and affords them the opportunity to network, progress in the company and build the foundations of a long term career.
Aida Elbouanani has been part of BP’s Future Leaders Programme since she joined the company in 2017. Her role as a Workshop Sales Manager for Castrol in Dubai focuses on building relationships with the company’s global strategic partners in the Middle East. “It’s a role that combines both operational and strategic aspects,” says Aida.
“One part of the role is to deliver the business targets on a daily basis working with the key accounts customers in the UAE. The other part of the role is to develop the three-year expansion plan of BP strategic channels in the Middle East.
Despite a relatively short time with the organization, Aida is already involved in major strategic planning for the Castrol Auto Service business as part of her Future Leaders work. “The fact that the company trusted me to lead this project after just three months means a lot,” she says. “BP is committed to empower and challenge people and give them the basis to progress – I didn’t have similar opportunities in my previous jobs”
The Future Leaders Programme is a mentored four-year global rotation programme which takes enthusiastic, talented people from a range of professional backgrounds and affords them the opportunity to network, progress in the company and build the foundations of a long term career.
“[BP] really has a great reputation for taking care of its people,” Aida says. –“The company has been able to offer them what they need for personal development.”
For BP, the ultimate aim of the Future Leaders Programme is to develop and challenge the skill sets of potential long term employees. It’s a programme that demands flexibility and offers great opportunity: FLP alumni take part in two two-year rotations, one of which will be international giving the candidate the chance to live and work in another country.
There are two different types of an interview for the programme. Firstly there are HR and technical interviews which assess and ensure the candidate has the right skills for the job. The second phase comprises rigorous interviews to evaluate the candidate’s leadership skill and potential to progress within the company to senior levels. It might sound daunting but Aida believes that the rewards are well worth the challenge. “I am glad to be part of the FLP,” she says. “When I compare myself to my peers in the company who aren’t part of the programme, I definitely see an added value. For example, I have exposure to a network of people who are based everywhere in the world, I am working on a business challenge specially designed for the FLP members with a global team, I have the possibility to have an international rotation, and I have access to training designed to develop FLP’s leadership and skills and prepare them for senior leadership roles.
“If you are thinking about the FLP, do it!” she says. “It’s a great programme and BP is a great company to work for as it’s a company that gives you the right opportunities and support to build a long term career. There are lots of very inspiring people who have been here for 10, 15 or even 20 years and who have grown with the company from within using the personal development opportunities offered by BP.”