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Strategic Advice
Independent counsel to boards and executive teams on strategy, competitive positioning and long-term direction across South and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Strategic advisory services
Deep ExperienceLevel 2 B-BBEE ContributorFounded 2022
The Firm
First class. Unconflicted. Trusted.
Oxford Partners was founded in 2022 by Brian Smith and Gary Hudson following senior leadership careers at JPMorgan and UBS.
Drawing on that experience, Oxford Partners is an independent strategic advisory house with a deep understanding of the clients and industries in which we operate.
What We Do
When it matters02
Value Creation
Pinpointing what drives value in a business and building practical plans to sharpen performance, portfolio focus and long-term returns.
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Structuring
Designing corporate, group and empowerment structures that are efficient, sustainable and aligned with the interests of all stakeholders.
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Project Management
Taking complex strategic initiatives from plan to delivery, coordinating stakeholders, workstreams and regulators against clear milestones.
We advise the boards and executive teams of leading Southern African companies.
Founders
Brian Smith
Co-Founder
- Former Executive Chairman, UBS South Africa.
- Former CEO and Joint Senior Country Officer; Head of Investment Banking, JPMorgan Southern Africa.
- Has advised the boards of some of South Africa's largest companies.
Gary Hudson
Co-Founder
- Former Head of Investment Banking, UBS South Africa.
- 20+ years advising boards and executive teams, both domestically and cross-border.
- Deep expertise in JSE governance and regulatory matters.
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Consultants
80+
Years Combined Experience
8
Sectors and clients across Southern Africa
Selected Clients
Boards we have advised| # | Client | Sector | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Absa | Banking | Design of a broad-based empowerment ownership framework |
| 02 | African Bank | Banking | Growth and consolidation strategy; staff empowerment framework |
| 03 | Assupol | Insurance | Independent adviser to the board |
| 04 | Telkom | Telecommunications | Board advisory on strategic options and portfolio review |
| 05 | African Rainbow Minerals | Mining and resources | Portfolio expansion in platinum group metals; capital planning |
| 06 | Assore | Mining and resources | Internationalisation strategy; capital planning |
| 07 | Harmony | Mining and resources | Portfolio optimisation |
| 08 | Ntsimbintle Holdings | Mining and resources | Strategic review of group structure and investments |
Ownership & Impact
We are majority black-owned.
Our shareholder is a broad-based trust that funds qualifying projects across South Africa, channelling the value we create into meaningful, measurable community outcomes.
First Contribution
Unjani Clinic Network
A network of 175 primary healthcare settings, owned and operated by black women professional nurses, providing affordable healthcare to underserved communities. Our funding more than doubled the Stellenbosch clinic, adding solar hybrid power, consulting rooms and a separate triage area.
unjaniclinic.co.za →Second Contribution
The Link Literacy & Numeracy Project
A Public Benefit Organisation supporting literacy and numeracy for children learning English as a second language in low-income Johannesburg schools. Run by 400+ volunteers across 18 centres, reaching over 800 children weekly. Our contribution supports 100 Grade 2 learners for the year.
thelinkliteracyproject.co.za →Third Contribution
Ikamva Labantu
Nutrition · Community-led solutions for older persons
Oxford provides the sustained annual funding that keeps these programmes running: scalable township senior clubs where elders coordinate the space and set the agenda; two nutritious meals plus health, income-generation and social support; and the Umelwane project, in which community workers trained by occupational therapists rehabilitate homebound elders.
ikamva.org.za →
When it matters© 2026 Oxford Partners (Pty) Limited. All rights reserved.