Meet The Team – Ruan Van Vuuren
26 Aug 2025
Blog
When did you join Oliver Wight?
I officially joined as a Partner in August 2025 - though in reality I’ve been working alongside Oliver Wight for more than a decade on joint diagnostics, IBP designs, and improvement programmes. It feels more like the continuation of a long-standing partnership than a brand-new start.
Tell us about yourself! What does your day-to-day role at Oliver Wight involve?
My role is about helping clients unlock the next level of performance - whether that’s through strengthening their planning processes, coaching leadership teams on behaviours, or ensuring their technology stack actually supports good decision-making, grounded in Oliver Wight’s Class A principles.
Practically, that means a mix of boardroom strategy sessions, cross-functional planning workshops, and time spent with teams on the shopfloor - making sure change really sticks at every level.
What attracted you to the role?
Oliver Wight has always set the benchmark for excellence in planning and leadership behaviours. For me, joining as a Partner was the perfect opportunity to marry that heritage with my own experience in digital transformation and decision intelligence. It allows me to combine the best of both worlds: proven behavioural excellence and the potential of new digital capabilities.
Prior to joining the Oliver Wight team what did you do?
I’ve spent more than 20 years leading planning and supply chain transformations across industries. That included building and scaling IBP practices for consulting firms, serving as Global Head of Digital Supply Chain and Go to Market at Olivehorse, and most recently working as Executive Client Partner at Aera Technology. Along the way, I’ve partnered with organisations like Diageo, Mars, Volvo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, BMW, and many others - always with a focus on turning complexity into measurable business outcomes.
What three words best describe you?
As an ENFJ-A (Protagonist) personality type, I’m very people- and purpose-driven. If I had to choose three words, they would be: Empathetic, Visionary, Strategic.
What is your idea of a utopian workplace?
A workplace where strategy seamlessly connects to execution, and people at every level feel empowered to make confident decisions. True success is measured not just in results but also in how people grow along the way. I believe knowledge should be democratised - which is why I’m so energised by how technology can put better insight and decision-making power into everyone’s hands.
But performance isn’t only about systems and processes - it’s also about people’s health and balance. Without a healthy lifestyle and the space to recharge outside of work, it’s impossible to deliver your best over the long term. For me, a utopian workplace enables excellence while respecting the need for balance and wellbeing.
What emoji best represents you?
A knight – because it represents how I think and work: strategic, creative, and able to approach challenges from unexpected angles. The knight is the only piece on the chessboard that moves differently, which reflects my ability to balance foresight with unconventional thinking, while always keeping the bigger picture in mind.
What are your interests outside of work?
Family is everything to me – I’m intentional about balancing big professional goals with being fully present at home.
Beyond that, I’m a bit of a “strategic geek”: I love games that test foresight, leadership, and performance under pressure - whether it’s Magic the Gathering, PC gaming, or Warhammer 40K.
I recharge by being outdoors – cycling or jogging through the countryside, travelling with my family (I often try to steer them towards my favourite spot in the UK, St Ives in Cornwall), or simply spending time in nature. And when I’m not doing that, you’ll usually find me immersed in music, films, theatre, or a good book.
You’re an animal for a day – what are you and why?
A wolf. Strategic, collaborative, and loyal to the pack - but also capable of independent strength when needed.
Share with us the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given.
“Transformation is only real if it changes the way decisions are made every day.”
That stuck with me, because it means the boardroom vision only matters if it makes life simpler, clearer, and more effective for the people delivering it on the ground.
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