Wits Business School - University of the Witwatersrand
(2005)
Length:
21 pages
Data source:
Field research
Abstract:
Wendy Lucas-Bull's career was taking an entirely new direction. She had spent the last 10 years working in various capacities for FirstRand, one of South Africa's largest financial services groups - most recently as chief executive officer of the group's retail financial services businesses. As such, she had been responsible for the biggest division within the FirstRand banking group. Now, in October 2004, she had decided to branch off on her own and to apply her skills to making a difference in South African society through a threefold process of: (1) fostering partnerships between business, government and civil society; (2) advocacy amongst business people in regard to developing sustainable businesses; and (3) advocacy around using black economic empowerment as a means of achieving business sustainability. Lucas-Bull thought the timing was right: South Africa was experiencing a new patriotism, as well as growing business confidence, which would make people more open to her ideas. But would she succeed in achieving her vision?
