Philip Gouws was born in South Africa in 1976.
His affinity for the retail industry, coupled with his passion for surfing, culminated in a pivotal role as the manager of Rip Curl Retail at the age of 19. Philip's leadership journey reached new heights when at the age of 22, he assumed the position of retail CEO for Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC under the Boardriders Group. His visionary approach and strategic acumen contributed to the success and retail expansion of these iconic brands.
After 14 years in this position and having assisted in the negotiation of the companies buy out to the French principal. Philip has since been an international business consultant, where he has leveraged his experience to provide valuable insights to numerous companies. He has held positions on boards, served as an advisor and executive, and contributed to various aspects of business development. His expertise are business development, strategy, negotiation of M&A and Exits, project development and implementation, establishment of global offices and licensing. This role marked the beginning of his extensive global travel, as he embarked on projects across five continents and in seven countries, solidifying his reputation as a global business strategist