Sir Donald Gordon 

The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) is named in recognition of the contribution to South African business and a significant endowment to GIBS by Sir Donald Gordon, the founder and former chairman of Liberty Life.

Donald Gordon made a major contribution at the point of his formal retirement from Liberty Life.

Gordon said the reason for the donation was to highlight his appreciation of the quality of the South African business environment which had enabled him to become a success in the financial services industry, at home and abroad.

Gordon's choice of education, as the sector in which he would put part of his financial success, reflects the importance of quality management in the business place.

According to Professor Nick Binedell, Founding Director of GIBS, South African businesses must continue to prepare themselves proactively for the challenges that lie ahead.

There is consensus that one of the greatest challenges facing South Africa remains the skills required to be competitive.

The Gordon Institute of Business Science prepares future executives, and helps current managers upgrade their skills to confront the emerging challenges through academic and executive programmes.

Sir Donald’s contribution is consistent with Liberty's view of education as a critical component in business. Indeed, one of the tenets of Liberty "passed on by Gordon" is that the company should put back into the community in return for the support it enjoys.

"Over the years, there has been a fundamental shift from simply looking at a project worthy of support, to projects that promise to be economically self-sustaining and those that centre on education," says Hylton Appelbaum, who heads the Liberty Foundation.