Mervyn George: Innovation Strategist

Innovation leader who helps organisations break habits, reignite creativity, and design repeatable processes to turn ideas into market success.

Mervyn George - Speaker 2024

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Over two decades of experience guiding organizations across fashion retail, financial services, and the public sector through digital transformation initiatives.
  • Known for his human-centered leadership style, Mervyn emphasizes the alignment of technology and human capital for sustainable business success.
  • Expertise in agile methodologies, ensuring that teams can efficiently navigate technological change and operational improvements.
  • Academic foundation combined with practical experience provides a deep understanding of both business strategy and technology implementation.

Formats Available: Keynote, Innovation Lab, Workshop, Virtual
Preferred Audience Sizes: Product and innovation teams (20–150); Conferences (150–1,200)
Outcomes:
  1. Rapid ideation methods to surface disruptive concepts.
  2. Prototype frameworks to test market potential quickly.
  3. Cultural tools to sustain continuous innovation.

Belongs to these categories

Travel & Fees

  • Travels from: Cape Town, Western Cape

Keynote Topics

Talk Abstract:

In a rapidly evolving landscape dominated by AI, automation, and digital transformation, it’s easy to feel that the future of work is about machines.

However, this keynote will argue the opposite: the human element is more critical than ever.

Mervyn George, a seasoned management consultant and expert in enterprise software, will explore the intersection of technology and human talent, demonstrating that empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking are irreplaceable in the digital age.

With a background in working with large multinationals and startups alike, Mervyn shares insights into how leaders can harness human potential to thrive in the future of work.

Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to enhance their own leadership capabilities, ensure meaningful human contributions within their organizations, and foster an adaptable and innovative culture.

Mervyn George is a seasoned technology executive, governance professional, corporate innovation strategist, exponential thinker and coach to scale-up businesses. Mervyn’s work experience spans 20+ years, clients in 54 countries and long-term projects in South Africa, the UK, US, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and China. He has served as a C-Suite advisor in many industry sectors, including […]

Mervyn George is a seasoned technology executive, governance professional, corporate innovation strategist, exponential thinker and coach to scale-up businesses.

Mervyn’s work experience spans 20+ years, clients in 54 countries and long-term projects in South Africa, the UK, US, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and China.

He has served as a C-Suite advisor in many industry sectors, including Energy, Public Sector, Automotive, FMCG, Retail, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Financial Services, Utilities and Mining.

Leveraging a wealth of experience with bootstrapped, hypergrowth and mature tech firms, Mervyn George currently runs a niche advisory business helping tech firms with strategic growth projects, serves on the governing body for South African state primary school, and serves as an independent investment committee member for a South African venture capital fund management firm.

One of Mervyn’s greatest strengths is his ability to understand and decode complex topics and to disseminate simplified and understandable concepts to audiences.

His research, while at the tech firm SAP, spanned corporate adoption of analytics, augmented reality, blockchain, big data, AI and Machine Learning as catalysts to building more intuitive, streamlined, predictive working models, and the opportunities and barriers to entry for large scale corporate digital innovation.

What fascinates Mervyn George most in this domain is the role of and the impact on people in the adoption of tech by companies in different stages of maturity.

Mervyn’s academic profile originates in Computer Science, Maths and Applied Maths. Through a Postgraduate Diploma touching on Industrial Psychology concepts, he shifted to a passion for Organisational Behavior and his Warwick Business School Executive MBA dissertation focused on Innovation Strategy in Large Corporate.

At SAP, Mervyn led the Africa component of multiple intrapreneurship and startup accelerator programs.

Mervyn George has graduated from McKinsey’s global Black Executive Leadership program, and has attained global ambassador, consultant and coaching certifications from the Exponential Organisations global community.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speakers Contact

Speaker Enquiry Form

Client Reviews

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links

Talent FAQ's

Q: Will sessions be practical?

A: Yes — hands-on methods and quick prototyping.

A: Short brief on current challenges speeds customization.

A: Idea decks and prototype templates.

View further speakers

Lillian Barnard brings wealth of professional insight and achievement from her extensive experience in the IT industry. She has first-hand knowledge of corporate culture, stemming from holding many key positions during her 15 year career with IBM. Lillian Barnard international exposure further enriched her business experience having worked for 7 years at the IBM European […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Technology Speaker
Lorna Mhlonzi-1

Lorna Mlonzi is a visionary leader and the Founder and CEO of Sky Internet SA (Pty) Ltd, an innovative Internet Service Provider start-up committed to bridging the digital divide. With a profound mission to transform the lives of individuals in townships, lower income areas, and rural areas, Lorna established Sky Internet SA to make a […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Inspiring Motivation

With a commanding presence and an unwavering commitment to education, Professor Jonathan Jansen stands as a beacon of inspiration within the academic community. As a distinguished South African leader, he embodies the essence of resilience, intellect, and compassion. His journey, marked by transformative leadership and profound insights, has positioned him as a sought-after speaker globally. […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Leadership
  • 5 (1)

Josina Machel holds an MSc degree in Sociology (Gender) from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of  Social  Science, Sociology and Political Science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Following a horrific domestic violence attack that left her blind in one eye, Ms. Machel founded the Kuhluka Movement, […]

  • Johannesburg
  • GBV Motivational

Nhlanhla Nene served as the Minister of Finance of South Africa under President Jacob Zuma from 25 May 2014 until his controversial removal on 9 December 2015, and under President Cyril Ramaphosa from 27 February 2018 until his resignation on 9 October 2018 He had been a Member of Parliament since 1999. He was appointed […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Economist
Nobukhosi Dlamini Cover-1

Nobukhosi Dlamini is an influential figure in the technology sector, specializing in innovation, data protection, enterprise information management, cybersecurity, corporate IT, and agile transformation. Her expertise spans over two decades, during which she has become a recognized leader in driving digital transformation and cybersecurity across global organizations. As a sought-after speaker and advocate for inclusive […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Cybersecurity Speaker
  • 5 (1)
Londy Ngcobo

Captain Londy Ngcobo is a distinguished figure in the maritime industry, acclaimed as a Global Ship Navigator and Africa’s First Female Dredge Master. Her unwavering passion for unlocking Africa’s oceanic potential has defined her illustrious career spanning over 13 years. With a robust educational background in Maritime Studies and extensive experience in International Merchant shipping, […]

  • Durban, KZN
  • Inspirational Speaker
  • 5 (2)
Shakes Dlutu-1

Shakes Dlutu, affectionately known as “Shakes,” has devoted his life to empowering others through motivation, emotional intelligence, and youth engagement. With over a decade of experience in the fields of personal development, mentorship, and life skills, Shakes has become a sought-after motivational speaker for his unique ability to connect with audiences from all walks of […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Motivational Speaker
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Speakers Inc Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

We promise to not spam you!

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

speakers inc
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.