The Wits Mervyn King Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability Launches at Wits Business School
30 June 2025
Wits Business School (WBS) today announced the launch a new centre of research dedicated to ethics, corporate governance and environmental sustainability.
The Wits Mervyn King Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability will form an integral part of WBS, advancing knowledge and research on the integration of corporate governance and sustainability into business and societal transformation.
The Centre, a strategic initiative of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (CLM), will undertake research into areas such as conscious leadership, outcomes-based governance, integrated thinking and reporting, and sustainable value creation, with the objective of creating world-leading skills development through postgraduate diplomas, MBA modules and executive education courses at WBS.
In addition, the Centre will feed into the Margo Steel School of Accountancy through its postgraduate diploma qualification in specialised accountancy, integrated thinking and value creation, the first of its kind, based on Professor King’s thesis laid out in his book Chief Value Officer – Accountants can Save the Planet (Routledge).
Professor Mervyn King is a senior counsel, former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa, and a world authority on corporate governance. The King Codes of Corporate Governance have revolutionised governance and reporting structures around the world.
Speaking at the official launch of the Centre, Wits Vice-Chancellor Professor Zeblon Vilakazi said: "Judge King’s contribution to modern corporate governance and responsible reporting reflects an immense passion for, and commitment to, our planet and its people. Wits University and the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management are immensely privileged to have a close connection with a global role model such as Judge Mervyn King. This Centre is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary thought leader and will honour his legacy for generations to come.”
An alumnus of Wits University, Professor King holds an honorary professorship at WBS and is patron of the Good Governance Academy, housed at WBS.
“The launch today of the Wits Mervyn King Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability is a highly significant and historical moment for WBS. Businesses, locally and globally, are grappling with the complexities of technological, social and regulatory change and it is critically important that the principles of governance, ethics, and sustainability are integrated into business education curricula,” said Professor Maurice Radebe, Head and Director of WBS.
“The school’s strategy is to put environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles at the heart of all our programmes. The establishment of this Centre will assist us in ensuring that future leaders are equipped with the moral compass needed to lead responsibly.”
The Wits Mervyn King Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability will lead research into the following areas:
- Mindful governance
- Conscious Corporate Leadership
- Ecological Governance
- Sustainable Value Creation
- Integrated Thinking and Reporting
- Integrated Functions
- Extended External Reporting Assurance
Professor King’s enduring connection to Wits University includes his role as Chair of the Wits University Foundation for nearly a decade. Speaking at the launch of the Centre, Professor King thanked the University for honouring his name and legacy.
“This Centre has come at a propitious time. We stand at the threshold of change which will see necessary amendments to the Companies Act, along with global sustainability reporting standards. The Centre will, through the Good Governance Academy, have significant reach and will be equipped to lead the field in corporate governance and sustainability research for generations to come.”
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About Wits Business School
Wits Business School (WBS) is the graduate school of business administration of the University of the Witwatersrand, a renowned research institution based in Johannesburg, the financial heart of southern Africa. Founded in 1968, WBS is one of the oldest and most respected business schools in Africa, which has spearheaded new areas of study to take the next generation of African business leaders into the future. The enduring ‘Wits’ brand, recognised internationally, continues to symbolise academic rigour, research excellence and thought leadership on the African continent. www.wbs.ac.za.
About the Good Governance Academy
Professor Mervyn King established the Good Governance Academy (GGA) in March 2019 and moved it to WBS in January 2020. The GGA is a non-profit organisation that collaborates globally to share information on critical governance, sustainability, integrated reporting and business science issues. The GGA mobilises global thought leaders, expert practitioners, and its extensive network of support members to achieve its purpose. The Support Member Network comprises educational institutions, professional associations and other organisations such as AICPA, ICAEW, IOD UK and the IOD India. The GGA hosts regular, high-profile public lectures and panel discussions. Two colloquia are held per year, attended by 3,000+ professionals, as well as teaser pre-events and in-depth follow-up workshops.
