Professional Speakers

Graeme Codrington is a futurist and strategy consultant specialising in the future of work and organisational change. He has worked in nearly 100 countries with multinational companies and leading business schools, advising on disruptive technology, generational shifts and emerging trends. Holding five degrees, including a Doctor of Business Administration, he combines academic research with practical frameworks for leadership adaptation. Codrington is inducted into both the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa and the UK Professional Speaking Association Halls of Fame. His keynotes focus on unlearning outdated models, strengthening adaptive leadership and preparing teams for sustained relevance.

Heidi Brauer is an acclaimed brand strategist, thought-provoking speaker and former CMO of kulula and Hollard Insurance, known for turning brand purpose into business performance. Fondly dubbed “The Brand Mama”, she has reimagined customer experiences, built award-winning campaigns, and guided countless organisations to discover their voice in a world of sameness. Her engaging talks on relationships, collaboration and brand meaning, blend marketing insight with imaginative flair. From co-creating SLOW Lounges to rebranding legacy insurers, Heidi speaks, consults and facilitates with empathy, wit and a dose of cake.

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Herman Singh is professor of digital innovation and leadership, he advises boards and executive teams on digital transformation, platform strategy and emerging technologies. His career includes senior roles across telecommunications, banking and technology, followed by advisory work with multinational corporations and public sector leaders internationally. He lectures at business schools including UCT GSB, GIBS and Duke Corporate Education, focusing on agile leadership and disruption strategy. His research and commentary examine how organisations adapt operating models, governance and culture for the digital economy. For decision makers, he offers structured insight into technological change, strategic execution and long term competitiveness in volatile markets.

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Based in Zimbabwe, Hopewell Chin’ono is an investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker focused on governance, corruption and media freedom in Africa. A Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and a Tutu Leadership Fellow at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, he has reported for The New York Times, BBC and ITV News. His documentaries, including Pain in My Heart and State of Mind, examine HIV stigma and mental health in Zimbabwe. His investigations into public sector corruption led to ministerial resignations and his own imprisonment. He speaks globally on accountability, democracy and the role of independent journalism.

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Jean-Vincent Ridon is a sommelier and winemaker based in Cape Town with experience spanning more than 50 harvests across several continents. He founded the Sommelier Academy and is the author of Passion for Pairing. His work focuses on wine education, food and wine pairing, and curated tasting experiences for private and executive audiences. He has served on international wine juries and coached Team South Africa at the Blind Wine Tasting World Championships. His career and mentorship role feature in the documentary Blind Ambition, which follows Zimbabwean sommeliers competing on the world stage internationally.

Joey Evans is a South African endurance motorcyclist and author whose life changed after a 2007 accident left him paralysed from the chest down. Following intensive rehabilitation, he learned to walk again and returned to competitive riding, ultimately completing the Dakar Rally, widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest off-road races. His memoir, From Para to Dakar, documents that journey. He was inducted into the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa Hall of Fame in 2024 and holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation. He addresses organisations on resilience, risk, recovery and sustained performance under extreme pressure.

John Sanei is a South African futurist and business strategist focused on artificial intelligence, leadership and organisational adaptability. He is the creator of the Adaptable Intelligence™ Framework, a methodology designed to help leaders respond to technological acceleration and systemic change. He has worked with global organisations including Google, EY, Mastercard, NASA, PwC and Unilever, advising executives on strategic foresight and decision-making in volatile environments. Through keynotes, masterclasses and published work, he examines the intersection of A.I., human potential and corporate transformation. He addresses boards and leadership teams on navigating disruption with structured, research-led insight.

John Smit is one of rugby’s most revered leaders, best known for captaining South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007. With 111 Test caps and a record 83 as Springbok captain, he remains a symbol of strategic leadership and composure under pressure. Inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011, John transitioned seamlessly into executive leadership as CEO of The Sharks and later as a board member of the South African Rugby Union. A compelling and highly amusing keynote speaker, he shares battle-tested lessons on leadership, resilience and teamwork with corporate audiences across the globe.

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