"But when the dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret."
Alan Paton
Mark Turpin
About me and my work
Mark Turpin is an Executive Coach, Mediator, Organisational Development Consultant and Lecturer based in Johannesburg with over 30 years management experience around the world. He works with a wide range of companies, NGOs and government departments, and acts as a confidential adviser to senior people in government and the private sector.
Mark lectures on programmes at the Wits Business School, focusing on leadership, knowledge management and organisational dynamics. He brings an appreciative approach to create dynamic learning scenarios, and coaches executives and senior teams on transformational journeys.
Mark facilitates a number of communities of practice, in which groups of people come together on a regular basis to create dynamic learning communities.
Mark has an MBA (Wits Business School), an MSc (London University) and is a certified leadership coach. He is also an accredited mediator with Conflict Dynamics (Johannesburg) and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (London).
Current passions
Fascinated by the changing 'world of work', Internet of Things, Collaborative Commons - and very stimulated in particular by Jeremy Rifkin's book 'The Zero Marginal Cost Society'.
Intrigued by the need to build ethics and integrity in the workplace, and a collaborator with Ethics Monitor (www.ethicsmonitor.co.za).
Also, a student of South African politics and society.
Supporter of the International Campaign against Nuclear Weapons (www.icanw.org) and of the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
I work with the MarketPhotoWorkshop to support a bursary & mentorship programme for young photographers in Johannesburg (www.marketphotoworkshop.co.za). You can here us speaking about it here:
Cry the Beloved Country
News and blogs
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07-06-2026 / Blogs / By Frauke Schmid-PeterWho really decides about learning?
Many companies and organisations want people to truly take responsibility for their own learning. They want learning to be driven by personal motivation and intrinsic initiative. At the same time, organisations often decide very precisely who learns what, when they learn it, how they learn it, and how success will be measured. This contradiction has been on my mind recently, and I would like to invite you to join me on a short thought journey. Let me begin with a question: Who is responsible for learning in your organisation? -
07-02-2026 / Blogs / View in DutchWat 180 wandelingen deden voor de organisatiecultuur van CM
Toen CM (Christelijke Mutualiteit) haar 11 regionale verbonden samenbracht in één Vlaamse organisatie, veranderde er meer dan alleen de structuur. Elf organisaties, elk met een eigen directieteam, geschiedenis, manier van werken en bedrijfscultuur, moesten voortaan als één geheel functioneren. De uitdaging was duidelijk: hoe creëer je een gedeelde cultuur waarin duizenden medewerkers vanuit dezelfde waarden samenwerken? Samen met K&S-adviseur Annelies Wybo ontwikkelde CM een meerjarig cultuurtraject om stap voor stap te bouwen aan een gedeeld kompas dat de bedrijfsstrategie ondersteunt. -
06-29-2026 / Blogs / View in DutchInclusief beleidsonderzoek in de praktijk
Om beleid te maken dat aansluit bij de praktijk, is onderzoek nodig naar die praktijk. Een belangrijke vraag daarbij is hoe je dat inclusief doet. Oftewel: hoe doe je recht aan verschillen tussen (groepen) mensen, zonder deze uit te vergroten of onbedoeld bij te dragen aan stigmatisering? Wanneer vraag je wel bepaalde persoonskenmerken uit en wanneer juist niet? Welke labels en termen gebruik je om groepen te omschrijven en te onderscheiden? Hoe bereik je alle groepen die je wilt bereiken? Dit zijn dilemma’s die bij inclusief beleidsonderzoek regelmatig terugkomen.
Contact
Curious to learn more about Kessels & Smit?
Get in touch with Mark Turpin