Lawrence Gadzikwa 

Chief Executive Officer 

Dr. Lawrence Gadzikwa is a seasoned management consultant and development expert with over 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors. His broad expertise spans strategy and management processes, with a proven track record in delivering practical and impactful outcomes in areas such as Enterprise Development & Entrepreneurship, Strategy Development and Execution, Business Performance Improvement (including Business Process Re-engineering), Cost Reduction and Revenue Enhancement, Business Mentoring and Coaching, Programme Design, Monitoring & Evaluation, Research in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Business Modelling, and Cleaner Production Assessments. He is also skilled in conducting Resource Efficiency Audits, Project Evaluations, and GBVF data verification.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lawrence has supported a diverse range of high-profile clients, including Cities Network, ICASA, SEDA-Gauteng, DBSA, ABSA, Eskom Transmission, Aveng, various municipalities, Transnet Freight Rail, NCPC-SA/CSIR, CIDB, the African Union Commission, GIZ, Futures Group, SAMSA, University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, African Development Bank, DeBeers, The Jobs Fund, FHI360, Beyond Zero, Bushveld Mining, UN Women, UNHCR, Technology Innovation Agency, Save the Children, Mastercard Foundation, GBVF, Madikwe Berry Farm, and TEDSF. His consulting work has consistently delivered value, contributing to the success and growth of these organizations.

In addition to his consulting expertise, Dr. Lawrence serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Hand in Hand SA, where he provides strategic and operational leadership to promote economic development and job creation throughout South Africa. In the past five years, he has spearheaded flagship community development projects worth over R150 million, funded by organizations such as ABSA, UN Women, UNHCR, Save the Children, National Youth Service, Solidarity Fund, Beyond Zero, and FHI360. These projects focus on areas including Livelihoods, Consumer Education, Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, Economic Strengthening, Enterprise Development, Food Security, and HIV/AIDS, with a particular emphasis on supporting women, youth, and vulnerable adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

Currently, Dr. Lawrence is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Accounting, Economics, and Finance (SAEF) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He holds a CIS diploma from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, along with BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in Agricultural Economics. His academic and professional achievements underscore his dedication to advancing strategic management practices and sustainable development.