Annual Business Tomorrow Conference - THE GREEN ECONOMY: How South Africa Needs to Pivot to Become a Market Leader

The UCT GSB Consulting Club is delighted to present its Annual Business Tomorrow Conference. The 2022 Business Tomorrow Conference will explore how companies have been adapting their business strategies to incorporate their ESG commitments and how South Africa (Public and Private sectors, and Government) needs to pivot to become market leaders in the green economy.

When: Thursday, 23 June 2022 16:00 - 20:00 (GMT+2)
Where:Lecture Theatre 1 - UCT Graduate School of Business
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Event information

The purpose of this annual conference is to gather industry experts from the consulting space and broader business world to collaborate on solutions that drive business forward into the future. The conference also aims to provide students and young professionals with exposure to the fast-paced and dynamic Consulting industry.

This annual event provides a platform where world- changers come together to map the path to the Business of Tomorrow.  Each year the UCT GSB attracts a powerful panel of speakers who donate their time to support the purpose and goals of the Consulting Club's Business Tomorrow Conference. This year’s conference will be no different as it unpacks how South Africa needs to pivot to become market leaders in the green economy.

 There is increasing public scrutiny and demand for countries and business to become more aware of and accountable for their environmental and social impact. Not only is the movement to a greener economy being driven by the public, it is also
affecting the way in which companies access funding.

How then do companies position themselves to unlock their full potential to remain relevant in an ever-changing business environment?

What can South Africa offer, and what do firms need to focus on to pivot? 

Developing nations might hold an advantage in constructing new business practices but how can corporate South Africa and policy makers ensure that our future is geared towards attracting foreign interest and capital flows while on its sustainability journey?

To facilitate a smooth and constructive transition to a greener future, what capabilities should government and businesses bring to the table to facilitate high impact cross sector collaboration?

Join us as we explore these questions and more at the 2022 Business Tomorrow conference on 23 June 2022!

 

We have a limited amount of discounted Student Tickets on sale, so book your seat now!

 

                                                                          This conference is a Student lead and executed initiative 

 

Speakers

Sandra Villars

Senior Advisor, Financial Services South Africa | Oliver Wyman
Sandra Villars brings over 20 years’ experience with leading financial institutions in Africa, Middle East, Europe, US and UK. Her areas of focus in Finance & Risk include sustainable finance, strategy, risk and regulation. Villars was previously the Head of Capital and Treasury Management for the Ecobank Group and the Head of Treasury and Capital Management for Standard Bank’s Africa Regions. She holds an MSc in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University and BSc in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Princeton University. She has been a CFA charterholder since 2004.

Philip Norton

Sustainable Finance and ESG Advisory Transactor| RMB
A seasoned investment banking dealmaker, Norton has spent over a year in the Sustainable Finance and ESG Advisory team and the prior 15 years in the bank’s leveraged finance division primarily in a dealmaker role. Since joining the Sustainable Finance team he has continued his successful dealmaking track record, having led numerous sustainable finance transactions. Notable transactions include Harmony Gold, Woolworths, Shoprite and the recent landmark Mediclinic transaction. Norton also plays a key role in developing new sustainable finance products such as the bank’s green deposit offering, a carbon financing solution, and exploring financing nature-based projects. He holds the CA qualification and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering.

Clémence C McNulty

Partner | Sustainability & Climate Change | EY
Clémence McNulty helps clients navigate the dynamic sustainability, ESG (environmental/ social/ governance) and climate change landscape. She is experienced across a wide range of sectors, and adept at planning for regulatory, stakeholder and technical driven changes to business models to improve shared value creation and optimise ESG performance. McNulty leverages a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving, especially to address interlinked ESG challenges, and to drive change. She has worked with clients across various sectors to define and deliver change management programmes across operations that can improve ESG outcomes and meet increasing stakeholder expectations for action. Originally from France, she has lived in South Africa for over a decade and loves the energy of its people. She previously coordinated Sustainability and Climate Change services in Africa for a dedicated sustainability consultancy, and started her career as a Strategy consultant. She holds an MSc in Environmental Change Management from Oxford University and a BSc (Hons) in Business Administration from the University of Bath.

Mukhtar Dharsey

Technology Strategy Senior Manager | Accenture
Mukhtar Dharsey has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry and has worked for several blue chip global companies such as Accenture, Old Mutual, Investec and Coronation. His expertise lies in IT strategy, business consulting and management and facilitating successful project delivery. He holds a BSc in Computer Science and an MBA from the UCT GSB.

Tshepo Ntsane

Sustainable Finance and ESG Advisory Transactor| RMB
Tshepo Ntsane is a skilled engineer, having spent more than 11 years in the petrochemical industry where he focused on the development of sustainability technical solutions. He joined RMB in 2021 through the Class Of programme and initially working in the Future Markets and Sustainability team. He has since joined the Sustainable Finance and ESG Advisory team where he provides technical expertise on sustainable finance solutions, including driving the bank-wide carbon credits initiative. His sustainable finance experience includes green loans, sustainability-linked loans, and supporting the development of ESG advisory solutions. Ntsane holds a BSc (Hons) in Chemical Engineering and is currently an MPhil in International Business candidate.

Matt Lawlor

Senior Exponential Growth Leader | Futureworld
Matt Lawlor is a seasoned strategy practitioner, keynote speaker and facilitator, schooled in law with an MBA. His core competencies are in the areas of corporate strategy, sustainability, innovation and growth programmes, corporate venture capital, business case design and digital transformation programmes. Lawlor has spent more than 12 years leading and delivering strategy, innovation and growth initiatives across a range of industries including Oil & Gas, Mining & Metals, Energy, Logistics and FMCG. As a Senior Exponential Growth Leader at Futureworld, he provides hands-on leadership to the Futureworld intellectual agenda. He works closely with the Futureworld team and external partners to identify impactful future strategies and solutions that deliver exponential growth to clients and partners. Lawlor actively promotes an environment and culture that is inclusive, collaborative and fosters game-changing creativity. One of his passions is implementing and co-investing in the strategies and opportunities created for clients. He is passionate about delivering impactful engagements alongside his clients that can help business and society reach their full potential.

Saliem Fakir

Executive Director | African Climate Foundation
Prior to establishing the African Climate Foundation, Saliem Fakir served for 11 years as the Head of the Policy & Futures Unit of WWF South Africa. He was a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Public Administration and Planning and an Associate Director for the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy at Stellenbosch University. For eight years, Saliem was the Director of the World Conservation Union, South Africa. He has served on several Boards and is a prolific writer, contributing to leading publications.