At DaVinci Business School, we proudly celebrate visionary leaders like James AH Campbell, one of our esteemed doctoral candidates. His professional path—marked by transformation, leadership, and relentless learning—epitomises what it means to co-create sustainable, innovative futures. As a doctoral student at DaVinci, James is using his wealth of experience in the diamond industry to shape not only his career but the very future of African mining and entrepreneurship.
A Career Defined by Strategic Transformation
James’ journey is marked by two key turning points. The first came at De Beers, where after earning his MBA with distinction (a feat accomplished "on the quiet"), he transitioned from a technical career to a business and strategic management role, even becoming the first Personal Assistant to Nicky Oppenheimer, De Beers’ Executive Chairman.
This leap was pivotal, shaping his approach to leadership and decision-making. The second transformation came when James stepped out of the corporate world into entrepreneurship, running listed junior mining companies under the mentorship of serial entrepreneur Dr John Teeling.
James often reflects on how his time at De Beers gave him outstanding technical training, but it was his entrepreneurial ventures that truly taught him how to run businesses. His current role as Managing Director of Botswana Diamonds Plc reflects the agility and resilience that define his leadership. Now, as a doctoral candidate at DaVinci, James continues to push boundaries, driven by a passion to leave a lasting impact on the industry.
Lifelong Learning: From De Beers to DaVinci
For James, self-development has always been at the heart of his career. At De Beers, he participated in numerous management and technical training programs, and his MBA thesis on assessing risk in mining projects won top honours. Remarkably, he completed this while building a diamond mine in rural Botswana. Today, with the demands of running a junior mining company, James doesn’t have the luxury of frequent training programs. Instead, he stays relevant by publishing papers and presenting at major conferences. Recently, he has shared his insights at institutions like the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
James’ pursuit of further education through his doctoral studies at DaVinci is motivated by a desire to consolidate his decades of experience into a research project that will benefit future leaders in the mining industry. His passion for creating a legacy that stimulates much-needed activity in African mining aligns perfectly with DaVinci’s commitment to co-creating sustainable ecosystems. The school’s unique Mode 2 learning approach, which focuses on applied, real-world research, was a perfect fit for James’ vision.
Balancing Work, Life, and Doctoral Studies
Balancing the demands of his professional life with the rigours of doctoral research is no easy task, but James approaches it with the same strategic mindset that has defined his career. He specifically chose this time to pursue his doctorate as his workload has lightened, owing to a structural shift in the diamond industry, and his children have grown and left home. This allows him to dedicate the focus and energy required to make the most of his doctoral journey at DaVinci. His success in managing this balance underscores the kind of discipline, planning, and support system that DaVinci encourages in all its students.
A Vision for the Future: Shaping the African Mining Industry
James is not just pursuing a doctoral degree—he’s on a mission to leave a lasting legacy for future leaders in the African mining sector. His research at DaVinci is aimed at creating a practical framework that invigorates mining exploration in Africa, particularly fostering local ownership and meeting the African Union’s goals. His work has already attracted the interest of influential stakeholders, including the Minister of Mines of Botswana and the Minerals Council of South Africa.
Just as his MBA thesis on risk assessment provided value to the mining industry for years, James intends for his doctoral thesis to have both academic and practical significance. This commitment to producing work that makes a real-world impact is at the core of DaVinci’s educational philosophy, and we are honoured to have James among our doctoral students as he embarks on this important journey.
Advice from a DaVinci Doctoral Candidate: Own Your Growth
James’ advice to fellow executives and professionals considering further education is simple yet profound: “Take ownership of your own training, education, and development.” He believes that no one will care about your growth as much as you do, and learning is a lifelong journey that requires continuous commitment. As a doctoral student at DaVinci, James exemplifies this ethos, embracing learning not just as a means to advance his career but as a way to enrich his life and create meaningful change in his industry.
James AH Campbell’s journey as a doctoral candidate at DaVinci Business School is one of transformation, resilience, and visionary leadership. We are proud to support leaders like James, who embody DaVinci’s mission to co-create realities that influence industries and societies. His story is a reflection of what makes DaVinci doctoral students stand out—they’re not just preparing for the future; they’re shaping it.
Are you ready to take ownership of your journey? At DaVinci, our doctoral students don’t just follow trends—they set them. Let’s co-create remarkable realities together.
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