Established by MOL and OTP, the leadership training institution now boasts more than 2,000 alumni from 45 countries and has provided leadership development programs to more than 300 companies.
“Ten years ago, we envisioned a leadership training institution that would equip Hungarian and regional leaders with the skills, mindset, and network necessary to achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness,” recalls Zsolt Hernádi, chairman and CEO of MOL Group and one of Seed’s founders.
“We believed, and still believe today, that world-class leadership education should be accessible in Central and Eastern Europe, and Seed has become a key player in promoting business excellence. At MOL Group, we consider leadership development one of the most valuable corporate investments. Infrastructure, technology, and innovation are all important, but without strong, competent leaders to drive change, even the best strategies will fail,” Hernádi adds.
As the business environment becomes increasingly complex, leaders must learn to manage constant change. László Eszes, CEO and academic director of Seed, highlights that Seed’s mission is to help leaders turn challenges into opportunities.
“Today’s leaders are expected to deliver results amid unprecedented uncertainties. The key to success lies in their ability to break down complexity, focus on the essentials, and confidently execute their strategies,” he says.
“Seed’s programs […] provide simplified frameworks, proven tools, and practical learning experiences to help leaders navigate challenging times effectively.”
Seed says it has revamped its program portfolio in response to new needs, combining essential leadership skills with specialized focus areas.
Two outstanding alumni are Péter Ratatics (executive vice president of consumer services at MOL Group) and András Becsei (deputy CEO of OTP Group), who participated in the institution’s first program in 2014.
“The expertise of Seed’s faculty is exceptional; experienced professionals who have held leadership roles help participants solve real business challenges,” says Ratatics. “The program structure ensures that what is learned can be applied immediately, creating a tangible impact on individual leaders and organizations,” he adds.
Becsei highlighted that one of the most valuable lessons for him was that effective leadership is about balance and aspiration.
“At Seed, I learned that a leader can only be truly effective if they are aware of their own leadership aspirations, build a strong and motivated team, and achieve business success together. Excelling in just one area is not enough; sustainable growth requires finding balance,” he says.
“Seeing the new specialized programs, Seed now has an incredibly exciting portfolio. Today’s leaders can customize their learning paths to fit their unique challenges, and this type of targeted leadership development is a real breakthrough in the fast-changing business environment,” Becsei added.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of February 21, 2025.
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