
Business Leader Dr. Mark Lamberti Appointed Honorary Adjunct Professor at Wits Business School
JOHANNESBURG,, South Africa, July 16th, 2025, Chainwire
Career executive and philanthropist to strengthen WBS leadership education through three-year academic appointment
Wits Business School (WBS) recently announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Lamberti as Honorary Adjunct Professor for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025. The distinguished business leader, philanthropist, and WBS alumnus will contribute to the school’s mission of developing ethical leaders capable of navigating complex African and global business challenges.
Dr. Lamberti, founder and former CEO of Massmart Holdings and current Chairman of Lamberti Holdings, brings over four decades of executive leadership experience to his new academic role. His appointment reinforces WBS’s commitment to bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world business expertise through engagement with industry titans who have shaped South Africa’s economic landscape.
In his honorary professorship, Dr. Lamberti will deliver guest lectures in MBA and other relevant academic programs, contribute to broader academic activities including seminars and leadership dialogues, serve as a WBS ambassador, and participate as an advisory board member in relevant centers within the school. The appointment leverages his extensive experience leading three public companies to market leadership positions and his deep commitment to education and leadership development.
“Nothing is worth anything until it’s written down,” Dr. Lamberti shared with an eager audience of up-and-coming MBA students during a recent WBS Leadership Dialogue event, emphasizing his belief in the power of strategic thinking and written mission statements that has guided his remarkable career trajectory.
Dr. Lamberti’s academic credentials include a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (1987) and a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (2024). His doctoral thesis, “Exploring post-retirement role identity emergence in public company CEOs,” reflects his ongoing commitment to understanding leadership transitions and development.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Dr. Lamberti has demonstrated commitment to education through his family foundation, the Lamberti Tertiary Education Foundation Trust, which has assisted over 200 underprivileged students in completing their tertiary education. He currently serves as a governor of the WITS Foundation and has extensive experience as a director, adviser, and lecturer for various educational institutions.
The appointment recognizes Dr. Lamberti’s significant contributions to South African businesses, including his tenure as founder and CEO of Massmart Holdings, where he grew the company to exceed R20 billion in turnover, and his subsequent leadership roles as CEO and Chairman of Transaction Capital and Imperial Holdings. He has also served as an executive committee member and director of Business Leadership South Africa and chairman of both the Consumer Goods Council and Business Against Crime South Africa.
His numerous accolades include the 2012 Wits Business School Management Excellence Award for demonstrating ethical leadership, managerial excellence, and societal relevance throughout his distinguished career. In 2001, he received the Ernst & Young South Africa’s Best Entrepreneur Award .
Dr. Lamberti’s appointment as Honorary Adjunct Professor strengthens WBS’s position as a leading institution for developing purpose-driven leaders who can effectively navigate the complexities of modern business while maintaining strong ethical foundations and commitment to societal impact.
About Wits Business School
Wits Business School is the graduate school of business administration of the University of the Witwatersrand, one of Africa’s leading universities. Located in Johannesburg, the economic hub of South Africa, WBS is dedicated to producing leaders who can navigate the complex challenges of the African and global business environment. The school offers a range of postgraduate programs including MBA, Master’s degrees, and executive education, with a focus on developing ethical, innovative leaders committed to sustainable business practices and societal transformation.
Media Contact:
Alison Gaylard, Communications Office, WBS
Email: Alison.gaylard@wits.ac.za
Phone: 084 726 7514