CEO Engagement: Unlocking SME Growth – A Discussion with Adrian Gore

While the recent rating announcement has brought South Africa temporary reprieve, economic growth is still crucial to building South Africa. SMEs and entrepreneurial activity are key drivers in our economy and will play an increasingly important role to growth and employment. Adrian Gore, founder and group chief executive of Discovery Limited, is a great example of South Africa’s entrepreneurial success. He started Discovery in 1992, and was chosen as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998, just after Discovery was listed on the JSE. Having grown Discovery to a $7 billion business with over 10 000 employees and five million global customers, Adrian believes that entrepreneurship is the only solution to South Africa’s unemployment problem.

He is now heading up the CEO Initiative’s SME work stream, together with Brian Joffe of Bidvest, and establishing a private sector fund to stimulate entrepreneurship and support SME growth. Having consulted widely, this work stream is looking at supporting the Venture Capital sector and providing incentives to existing fund managers to focus on riskier investments. Join us as we hear from Adrian about his personal journey of growing Discovery into a global business, and what South Africa requires to accelerate high impact SMEs in an effort to unlock economic opportunities.

Please note that this event is by invitation only.