Professor Brian Armstrong, former chief commercial officer of Telkom, has been named head of the Wits Business School/Telkom Chair in Digital Business.
Armstrong left Telkom earlier this year after four years in the position.
The Chair in Digital Business was established last year through an initial five-year funding commitment from Telkom. At the time, Wits Business School said the Digital Chair's core purpose is being at the forefront of developing significant research as well as teaching programmes that are vital for business in today's digital world.
Armstrong says the appointment was above board, despite him previously being employed by the telco.
"Wits Business School were running an international search for the right person to head up the Digital Chair. When I left Telkom, they asked me if I'd be interested. I said yes I would, but only through the proper process. My name then went into the mix for the role. I was duly interviewed and vetted for the role to make sure I met the requirements, especially the academic one, and I was delighted to be appointed."
Armstrong completed his BSc Eng and MSc Eng at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1982 and 1984 respectively, and obtained his PhD from University College London in 1992.
Prior to joining Telkom, he was vice-president of Middle East and Africa at British Telecoms, as well as director at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
Describing himself as a "business scientist" and a "scientific businessman", Armstrong says he has a passion for the science behind digitalisation, and how it applies to the business context from a business strategy point of view.
He says he has a threefold vision for the Digital Chair: to be a centre of excellence in digital business in SA and Africa, become fully sustainable, and have an impact on society.
"Sustainability is primarily about being relevant and providing value. We are working hard to make sure that what we do is aligned with and meets the needs of industry. Part of this is that we are working across the faculties of the university to ensure we bring a multi-disciplinary approach which mirrors the real world ? where Wits' world-leading expertise in fields as diverse as mining, applied data science, law, medicine and so on all come together with business science to create value for South African business.
"I think this is ultimately where we can really make a difference and where our sustainability will be ensured."
Hitting the ground running, Armstrong says the Digital Chair has already submitted proposed qualifications to the relevant authorities and is awaiting final approval. "We have crafted the detail of the content of these courses and are in the process of putting together the full teaching material and establishing partnerships with leading institutions globally to bring a global flavour and profile to our courses.
"We have and are continuing to engage with industry to ensure we are aligned with their needs, as well as to develop some executive education packages in digital business," he notes.
"BCX is thrilled that Dr Brian Armstrong has been announced as Chair of Digital Business at Wits Business School," says Ian Russell, CEO of BCX.
"He has immense experience and knowledge regarding the digital business landscape, and a passion that will help pioneer ground-breaking research and innovation. We are confident this role will foster disruptive thinking and enhance the future of digital business in South Africa."
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