Ismail Vawda | Post-Graduate in Management & Accounting

A seasoned C-suite leader and strategic advisor with over three decades of executive leadership experience, specializing in helping CEOs and their organizations achieve breakthrough performance. With advanced qualifications in management accounting, Ismail Vawda brings a unique blend of strategic insight and practical execution expertise to executive coaching.

As a former CEO who grew a retail chain from 34 to 64 stores while increasing cash reserves tenfold, Ismail understands the complexities and challenges of scaling businesses. His track record includes multiple successful business expansions, ERP implementations, and strategic transformations across diverse industries including retail, FMCG, manufacturing, and distribution. Ismail also has corporate experience having worked for the Mr Price Group, Edcon group and Pepkor group including one of South Afirca’s largest independent FMCG distribution company.

Specializing in coaching CEOs of mid-to-large enterprises (R400M - R2B revenue), Ismail’s focuses on:

  1. Strategic Management and Digital Transformation including AI Advisory  
  2. Leadership Development, Cultural Transformation and Organizational Structure
  3. Financial Optimization and Cost Control
  4. Process Improvement and Operational Excellence
  5. Family Business

Ismail’s coaching approach combines strategic thinking with practical implementation, helping CEOs navigate complex challenges while developing their leadership capabilities. Drawing from extensive experience across retail, FMCG, and manufacturing sectors, Ismail helps leaders identify growth opportunities, optimize operations, and build high-performing organizational cultures.

With expertise in both strategic planning and execution, Ismail has consistently demonstrated the ability to drive substantial business growth while developing strong leadership teams. Ismail’s hands-on experience in successfully implementing major technological transformations and turning around underperforming business units provides valuable insights for CEOs facing similar challenges.