Mpumi Madisa

Kemi Ajumobi

January 27, 2026

Mpumi Madisa
Chief Executive of the Bidvest Group

Mpumi Madisa is the Chief Executive of the Bidvest Group since 2020, following more than fifteen years of leadership experience across the Bidvest Group.  Bidvest Group was founded in 1988 and listed on the JSE Limited in Johannesburg SA. Bidvest is a leading industrial group with over 250 individual businesses and employs over 130 000 people in South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), Republic of Ireland (Ireland), Spain, Australia and Singapore.

Mpumi is the chairperson of the UN Global Compact SA board and the chairperson of Adcock Ingram. She is a director of numerous Bidvest subsidiaries and has held various senior management and executive board director positions such as general manager business development, divisional director business development, corporate affairs director and sales and marketing director. She was previously chief director in the Gauteng provincial government.

• Appointed as non-executive director of the Adcock board of directors on 23 November 2017. Was appointed CEO‑designate on 4 March 2019.
• Appointed as CEO 1 October 2020.
• Appointed non-executive Chairperson of the Adcock board 23 February 2021.
• Appointed chairperson of the UN Global Compact SA 24 May 2022.
• Recognised by Forbes and Fortune magazines for her leadership and influence on the global business stage, and named South Africa’s Business Leader of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2023.

Beyond her executive responsibilities, she is passionate about mentoring young people and making a meaningful, lasting impact in business and society.

Being recognised on Forbes’ World’s Top Companies for Women 2025 list, Mpumi says is significant, not because of the accolade itself, but because it reflects the real experiences and perceptions of women across the world.

“This ranking is based on independent surveys conducted over two years, capturing more than 800,000 data points from 120,000 women in over 36 countries. Importantly, participation is anonymous and not driven by employers, which means the feedback is honest, unfiltered and rooted in women’s day to day realities.” She stated.

Mpumi is passionate about women’s progress. Specifically, she says it is important to create systems that enable women to lead and thrive in South Africa.

“Being a woman leader in South Africa today is more than breaking glass ceilings. It is about creating systems and environments that allow women to thrive, innovate and lead at every level. True progress is not achieved through individual heroics or token appointments. It is built when organisations embed inclusion into their structures and daily practices.” Mpumi said.

For her, over the years, she has learnt that intentional systems such as mentorship programmes, sponsorship networks and leadership development initiatives create a multiplier effect. “Women are not only better supported, they are more likely to influence decisions, take on challenges and drive growth for the organisation as a whole.” She insists.

Mpumi has a Masters in Finance and Investment and BCom Honours in Economics and BSc in Economics and Mathematics.