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

Mimi Kalinda-logo

Mimi Kalinda is a renowned global communications expert whose voice and vision have shaped narratives across Africa, Europe, and the United States for over 25 years. As a trailblazer in storytelling, reputation management, and public affairs, she brings a rare blend of cross-continental expertise and a deep understanding of cultural intelligence to every platform she […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Communications Expert

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
HC-Recipe-Bryan-Habana

Bryan Habana, a name synonymous with excellence in the world of rugby, is a legendary South African rugby player and one of the most electrifying athletes to grace the sport. Renowned for his blistering speed, strategic gameplay, and unparalleled determination, Habana has etched his name in history as one of the greatest wingers of all […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Rugby Legend
  • 5 (4)
CANDICE MAMA

Candice Mama is a beacon of inspiration, resilience, and compassion, recognized globally for her remarkable journey and impactful contributions. Her indomitable spirit has earned her a place among Vogue Magazine’s esteemed list of the top 33 most inspiring women in the world, standing shoulder to shoulder with icons such as Nicole Kidman, Michelle Obama, and […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Inspirational Speaker

Nambitha Mpumlwana wears many hats – businesswoman, humanitarian, philanthropist, charity patron and many more. She is an inspirational, dynamic woman whose talent has touched many people. Apart from her stardom and entrepreneurship, Nambitha Mpumlwana is an inspirational, dynamic, deeply spiritual and down-to-earth individual. Nambitha’s TV career Award-winning Yizo-Yizo I & II; Interrogation Room I & […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Inspirational Speaker
Sizakele-Marutlulle-logo

Sizakele Marutlulle, founder and CEO of a pan-African strategy and advisory firm, is a powerful voice in reimagining business through a human-centered lens. She champions Humancentric Creatives, a pioneering approach that places people, not just profit, at the heart of organizational success. Sizakele’s advisory work guides leaders across the continent to design inclusive futures, build […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Creative Leadership
Mogau Seshoene

Mogau Seshoene founded The Lazy Makoti in 2014 after leaving the corporate world to focus on her love for food, and on preserving South African cuisine and heritage. What began as lessons for a friend, a bride-to-be who was afraid of being labelled “The Lazy Makoti” (the lazy daughter-in-law) because she couldn’t cook, has evolved […]

  • Johannesburg
  • The Lazy Makoti
  • 5 (1)

Lynette Ntuli is a visionary leader and trailblazer in the realms of property development, infrastructure, and enterprise asset management. As the Founding Director and CEO of Innate Investment Solutions, a distinguished professional services firm in the built environment, she spearheads a team dedicated to providing unparalleled property and infrastructure development services alongside cutting-edge enterprise asset […]

  • Durban, KZN
  • Business Strategy
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.