Wits Business School hosted Mr Simon Susman at our WBS Leadership Dialogue.

Susman, former CEO and Chairman of Woolworths Holdings, is now Honorary President of the company. His career in retail began when he moved to London in 1971 to work for Marks & Spencer. On his return to South Africa in 1982, Susman architected and built the unique “Woolies” Food business. He became CEO in 2000 and served as Non-Executive Chairman for twenty years until his retirement in 2019.

During his career with Woolworths, Simon instigated and drove a programme entitled “Good business journey”, which strives to do business in a way that is sustainable, both socially and environmentally. He currently focuses on mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Simon shared some of the lessons he has learnt in his 37 years with Woolworths with Mills Soko, Professor of International Business and Strategy at WBS.