Stepping into the role as the Stellenbosch Business School’s new Senior Director, Prof Chris van der Hoven started this year by bringing decades of international experience in academic leadership to usher in a new era focused on transformative educational outcomes.
On the horizon
Stellenbosch Business School will soon set to work on its strategic evolution in a strategy called #Horizons2035+.
This will take a leaf from the way that Prof Deresh Ramjagernuth (new rector from April) will shape or re-shape the existing trajectory of Stellenbosch University. The challenge set for Van der Hoven, as the new director, is to help to “re-imagine the business school for it’s role into the future”.
Van der Hoven said his vision for Stellenbosch Business School centres on driving the “most-sought-after” status of graduates. He is determined that the investment in learning is translated into world class marketability of students and delegates who make the school their intellectual home.
Challenges and opportunities
Under van der Hoven’s leadership, the Business School will prioritise this employability – both for individuals and organisations.
“For students, this means equipping them with the skills and adaptability to thrive in evolving careers. For companies, the focus will be on developing versatile employees who can lead in dynamic environments. The business school’s strongly relevant research and proximity to industry will ensure academic programmes align with real-world challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Van der Hoven succeeds Prof Charles Adjasi, who provided stable and collaborative leadership as acting director during the transitional period.
‘Impressive track record’
Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, Prof Wim de Villiers, said: “Stellenbosch University is delighted to welcome Prof van der Hoven. His impressive track record in academic leadership and his understanding of global business position him well to lead the business school into a new era of innovation and impact… I am confident that under Prof van der Hoven’s guidance, Stellenbosch Business School will further strengthen its reputation as a world-class institution.”
Van der Hoven’s distinguished career spans leadership roles at top institutions worldwide.
In the United Kingdom, Van der Hoven spent 12 years at Cranfield School of Management and a number of years as Senior Fellow at Cambridge University. While he was based in the UK, he held visiting academic positions at ten leading universities, including the Stockholm School of Economics, Mannheim Business School and Nanjing University.
He was recruited back to South Africa and served as the academic director at Wits Business School until 2017.
Van der Hoven has led Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development (SBS-ED), the executive development arm of the business school, since 2018.
Reflecting on his appointment, he added: “We have a clear mandate to demonstrate the contribution of Stellenbosch Business School graduates in business and society. We also have a mandate to convene business voices more broadly in service of the needs of employment, security, healthcare, energy and education.”
He believes these are efforts that will evidence the value of Stellenbosch Business School and its graduates in shaping a prosocial future, and importantly in demonstrating the incredible contribution business can make to growing economies.
