ADVISORY BOARD

Prof. Smith

The wealth and breadth of Prof. Jurgen Smith’s background explains why his functionary role as chairman of the Advisory Board, provides a solid support platform for the steady evolution of the Watson Institute of Business Leadership. He was exposed to all facets of a successful family business since childhood.   His primary degree was obtained  in science which   provided a foundation  for a  facet of his personality which leveraged  quantitative work.  Making facts the underpinning of his approach dominated his student development and beyond into the world of business.   A Masters in Business Administration followed by a Doctorate in Business Administration with focus on entrepreneurship  earned him  acclaim with national institutes.   Completing his doctorate he progressed from establishing  a consulting and advisory service for small business to being appointed Director of the Small Business Advisory Bureau. Concurrently he was also  appointed Professor in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management at the North West University’s Potchefstroom Business School. 

His career included being associated with the establishment of as well as employment by Business Partners Limited (formerly the Small Business Development Corporation). After leaving Business Partners,   he was appointed as a non executive director. He has served on various committees of the Board for more than ten years.

In 1986 he became the Financial Director of a group of companies on the West Rand, that was the predecessor to the Bosasa Group. Since 1997 he has served as a consultant to the Group.  Prof Smith is driven by the discovery and development of the latent entrepreneurial and management potential of people. Empowerment, skills development and meaningful knowledge transfer continues to be his passion.

Prof. Smith