PwC Trust Builders Challenge 2023

How would you rebuild trust in a crisis?

Bring on the challenge!

PwC’s Trust Builders Challenge 2023 welcomes undergraduate and diploma students (or equivalent) from local and overseas campuses to solve a trust crisis. This year's Challenge will be conducted both in-person and virtually, opening up more opportunities for students to collaborate and take part in the trust conversation.

We're delighted to announce that, following a rigorous submission round, eight teams have successfully advanced to the Trust Builders Challenge Finals. Find out who they are.

Meet our finalists

Ready to take up the Challenge?

Trust is a crucial part of every organisation. But what happens when an organisation is faced with a crisis? Will they be able to rebuild trust with their customers, employees and investors?

Why you should join

PwC’s Trust Builders Challenge gives participants an opportunity to immerse themselves in real-life scenarios, be inspired to think outside the box, and sharpen their business acumen to prepare for the working world.

The situation

Urban Styles prides themselves as a lifestyle brand that caters to people of different sizes, backgrounds and abilities. And the company makes sure that their marketing and recruitment strategies reflect this ethos. However, when a viral video of a staff mocking a differently-abled employee broke out, Urban Styles suddenly found themselves a subject of discussion on morning radios and in social media boycott groups.

The company acted swiftly: they issued a public apology, reinstating their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and they took stern disciplinary actions against the staff. But in the weeks that follow, several other employees took to social media to expose other managers in the company – even a board member – of exhibiting similar behaviours at work. Sales has dropped 46% from the previous month, and a key investor is pushing for a thorough internal investigation.

Your challenge

Laying the foundation

(submission stage)

Form a group of four, put your thinking caps on and tell us how you would manage the situation with the objective of rebuilding trust with your stakeholders.

Note: Submissions have closed on 13 August 2023.