Manoj Chiba
Partner: The Strategists | MBA Director | CEO & Founder ATBMI Advisory
Johannesburg,GP
Summary
Senior executive and data-driven strategist with 17+ years’ experience leading innovation, digital transformation, and strategic consulting across financial services, education, public policy, and technology sectors. As a Partner, CEO, and academic, I bridge strategic foresight with AI, data science, and leadership to enable adaptive, insight-led organisations. Recognised for catalysing organisational impact, driving ecosystem collaboration, and mentoring future leaders. Noted thought leader with over 30 published articles on data, AI, and innovation.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Partner
The Strategists
03.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: Partner at a boutique strategy and advisory firm focused on strategy facilitation, execution, and innovation across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. www.thestrategists.co.za
- Led multi-sector strategy design and implementation initiatives with C-level clients.
- Established innovation governance frameworks and facilitated leadership alignment.
- Oversaw business operations, project delivery, and market expansion.
- Partner at a boutique strategy and advisory firm focused on strategy facilitation, execution, and innovation across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. www.thestrategists.co.za
Founder & Principal Consultant
ATBMI Consulting
01.2013 - 10.2017
- Company Overview: Founded and scaled a data-focused consultancy delivering over 60 projects across Africa and Europe.
- Scaled business from 3 to 198 consultants and grew valuation to R150 million.
- Advised global and regional clients including Multichoice, SAB, IBM, ABSA, and MTN.
- Designed and operationalised data science units and strategic transformation plans.
- Founded and scaled a data-focused consultancy delivering over 60 projects across Africa and Europe.
Senior Faculty (Lecturer)
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
01.2013 - Current
- Company Overview: Faculty leader and academic supervisor specialising in strategy, digital leadership, analytics, and innovation for MBA and executive education programmes.
- Supervised 40+ MBA/PhD research projects in digital, foresight, and strategic leadership.
- Developed future-fit curricula in predictive analytics, digital ecosystems, and innovation.
- Published 30+ articles and delivered global thought leadership in AI and data strategy.
- Faculty leader and academic supervisor specialising in strategy, digital leadership, analytics, and innovation for MBA and executive education programmes.
Managing Director
New Leaders Foundation
10.2021 - 03.2023
- Company Overview: Directed the flagship Data Driven Districts (DDD) programme, impacting millions of learners in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and MSDF.
- Increased dashboard usage by 83% across 8 provinces.
- Secured 21% budget growth and expanded national stakeholder collaboration.
- Decreased implementation cost per learner by 24%.
- Directed the flagship Data Driven Districts (DDD) programme, impacting millions of learners in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and MSDF.
Senior Advisor, Analytics Consulting
TransUnion
04.2020 - 09.2021
- Company Overview: Led analytics solutioning across financial services, fintech, and telecommunications using CreditVision product suite.
- Delivered go-to-market strategy for CV Link.
- Scoped and executed client-specific analytical solutions.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver insights-led transformation.
- Led analytics solutioning across financial services, fintech, and telecommunications using CreditVision product suite.
Executive & Senior Data Scientist
Nedbank
11.2017 - 12.2019
- Company Overview: Led data-driven innovation within Nedbank’s strategic innovation unit.
- Delivered cutting-edge AI solutions and digital products to transform client engagement and internal operations.
- Delivered 9 digital projects across clusters; implemented SA’s first IoT insurance pilot.
- Pioneered behavioural credit scoring and real-time fraud detection models.
- Built and led full-stack data science squads and co-developed Nedbank’s digital platform.
- Led data-driven innovation within Nedbank’s strategic innovation unit.
Executive Director
City Year South Africa
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Company Overview: Led the national youth development NGO through restructuring and expansion.
- Cut operational costs by 37%, grew funding by 20%, secured R15M grant from government.
- Introduced PFMA-aligned governance and strategic HR transformation.
- Oversaw full programme implementation and cross-sector stakeholder management.
- Led the national youth development NGO through restructuring and expansion.
CEO
BioRecord Healthcare Solutions
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Company Overview: Headed a pan-African health tech firm delivering digital and infrastructure solutions.
- Shifted strategic focus to recurring revenue through healthcare facility builds.
- Secured operations in SA, Malawi, Mozambique, and Congo.
- Led integration with global parent firm PluralSoft Inc.
- Headed a pan-African health tech firm delivering digital and infrastructure solutions.
Education
PhD - Strategy & Organisational Structure
GIBS Business School
09-2019
MBA - undefined
GIBS Business School
MSc - Anthropology
University of The Witwatersrand
04-2008
BSc Honours & BSc - undefined
University of the Witwatersrand
Certified Data Scientist - undefined
IBM
Skills
Strategic facilitation
Executive leadership
AI and data management strategy
Digital transformation expertise
Responsive organizational strategies
Strategic planning
Customer relationship building
Innovation mindset
Company processes and procedures
Data analysis
Technology integration
Competitive analysis
Board Appointments Affiliations
- Board Member: Q-Hop
- Non-Executive Director: BioRecord Healthcare Solutions, Blue Rain Advertising
- Council Member: Royal Society of South Africa
- Member: Golden Key, Black Management Forum, National Youth Development Agency
Awards
- Joe Veriava Bioethics Medal Nominee
- ABIC Scholarship for African Scientists
- Academic Merit Bronze Award; NRF & PAST Trust Bursaries
Selected Publications
- Adapting to the Changed AI Context
- Ethical AI
- It's All About the Data
- Driving Strategy with Data
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Partner
The Strategists
03.2023 - Current
Managing Director
New Leaders Foundation
10.2021 - 03.2023
Senior Advisor, Analytics Consulting
TransUnion
04.2020 - 09.2021
Executive & Senior Data Scientist
Nedbank
11.2017 - 12.2019
Founder & Principal Consultant
ATBMI Consulting
01.2013 - 10.2017
Senior Faculty (Lecturer)
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
01.2013 - Current
Executive Director
City Year South Africa
01.2010 - 01.2013
CEO
BioRecord Healthcare Solutions
01.2008 - 01.2009
MBA - undefined
GIBS Business School
BSc Honours & BSc - undefined
University of the Witwatersrand
Certified Data Scientist - undefined
IBM
PhD - Strategy & Organisational Structure
GIBS Business School
MSc - Anthropology
University of The Witwatersrand