Barry van Zyl

Barry van Zyl enjoyed more than 30 years in the international creative sector as a performer, content producer, entrepreneur, and educator. Barry has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Annie Lennox, Oliver Mutukudzi, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Peter Gabriel, and Die Antwoord, and for 21 years was the drummer in Johnny Clegg’s band.

In 2014 he began transitioning from the ‘business of rhythm’ to the ‘rhythm of business’ , starting with an MBA from Henley Business School, UK, followed by Henley’s Executive Coaching program, and onto the DBA in 2025.

Barry embraces his passion for the marriage of the creative sector and executive leadership by designing and delivering programmes that address areas such as active listening, personal and team development, creative thinking, and entrepreneurship. His clients have included major companies in financial and professional services, telecoms, media, energy, and education, across Africa, the EU, and North America.

In 2022, Barry joined the small team of international faculty teaching the Personal Development (PD) module on Henley’s MBA programme. MBA graduates overwhelmingly refer to the PD modeul as the most transformational aspect of their learning journey. Barry is a marker for the MBA globally and also joins the PD team in designing Retreats for MBA Alumni in the UK and South Africa.

Barry has published a white paper for the school titled ‘Rigidity to Resonance’ and is busy with a follow-up on Timing, co-authored with Berklee, Boston colleague Prof Ray Seol as a Henley/Berklee publication. Henley’s Dr Chris Dalton and Barry have signed a 2024 publishing deal with Routledge in the UK for a co-written book titled: GROOVE: finding resonant leadership in a disconnected world.