HomecomingEx has reinforced its ambition to shape the future of executive marketing leadership across Africa with the appointment of renowned South African business and brand strategist Ivan Moroke as its Non Executive Director for Marketing.

Beyond joining the Board, Moroke will spearhead the expansion of HomecomingEx’s specialist marketing executive search practice, helping organisations across the continent identify, attract and appoint high performing Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and senior marketing executives capable of driving sustainable business growth.

The appointment marks another strategic step for HomecomingEx as African businesses increasingly place marketing leadership at the centre of corporate transformation, customer engagement and competitive advantage.

According to the executive search firm, the decision reflects its conviction that marketing has become one of the most important leadership disciplines shaping Africa’s next growth cycle, particularly as businesses navigate changing consumer behaviour, technological disruption and intensifying market competition.

HomecomingEx noted that Africa is projected to become a US$2.5 trillion consumer economy serving about 1.7 billion people by 2030, making strategic brand building, customer intelligence and commercial leadership increasingly vital for organisations seeking long term relevance. The firm also pointed to research showing that 37 percent of Fortune 500 chief executives have marketing backgrounds, reinforcing the growing influence of marketers in corporate leadership.

Moroke joins HomecomingEx with more than three decades of experience spanning consumer intelligence, brand strategy, executive leadership and business transformation.

Over the years, he has built a distinguished reputation as one of South Africa’s foremost marketing leaders, combining commercial expertise with deep consumer understanding to help organisations strengthen brands, unlock growth opportunities and improve business performance.

His career has taken him through several influential organisations, including BAT, Yellowwood, TBWA\Worldwide\Hunt\Lascaris and Kantar, while he also founded the strategic consultancy Co Currency, further expanding his footprint within Africa’s marketing ecosystem.

In addition to his executive career, Moroke currently serves in several board and advisory capacities, including Executive Director at Relationship Audits (Radar), while also sitting on the boards of Kantar South Africa and Heartlines: Father Matter.

His leadership influence extends across the wider marketing profession. He previously chaired the APEX Effectiveness Awards, Brand Council South Africa and the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA). He currently serves as Chairperson of the Marketing Achievement Awards South Africa, where he continues to champion excellence, innovation and professional development within the industry.

Interestingly, Moroke’s appointment also reunites him professionally with HomecomingEx founder Angel Jones, more than two decades after the pair first worked together in the advertising industry, where they built successful careers grounded in creativity, strategic thinking and consumer insight.

Commenting on the appointment, Jones said the company deliberately sought a leader capable of helping organisations balance technological advancement with stronger human centred leadership.

“As machines become more machine like, leaders must become more people like. Ivan brings an incredible network of exactly this capability, alongside world class strategic and commercial expertise, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the HomecomingEx Board,” she said.

Responding to his appointment, Moroke described Africa as entering a defining period of economic and commercial transformation, stressing that organisations must combine commercial discipline with a genuine understanding of people to unlock sustainable growth.

“Africa’s future growth will belong to organisations that combine sharp commercial execution with a deep understanding of people. I am excited to join HomecomingEx at this important stage of its journey and look forward to helping strengthen its brand and accelerate growth across the continent,” he said.

Industry analysts believe the appointment signals a broader shift across Africa’s corporate landscape, where companies are increasingly elevating marketing from a functional discipline to a strategic boardroom priority.

As organisations continue responding to rapidly evolving consumer expectations, digital transformation and expanding regional markets, experienced marketing leaders are becoming indispensable in shaping business strategy, strengthening brand equity and delivering long term commercial value.

With Moroke joining its leadership team, HomecomingEx is positioning itself to play a more influential role in developing Africa’s next generation of marketing executives while helping organisations secure leadership talent capable of driving innovation, business growth and sustainable competitive advantage across the continent.