SA Disruptor Ian Hatton named international Thought Leader of the Year nominee

Pretoria, South Africa – Thursday, 24 July 2025 – An international body has announced South African leadership disruptor Ian Hatton as a nominee in the Thought Leader of the Year category of its prominent leadership awards.

Hatton has influenced thousands of leaders from over 100 countries through his leadership keynotes, facilitation, 'Lead Like Morpheus' book and card deck. Most recently, his EGG3 Leadership Assessment has become an accessible avenue to leadership development, with open online access to the assessment and complimentary EGG3 Instant Report.

The Veblen Directors Leadership Awards 2025, organised by the Veblen Director Programme, describe this initiative as "a celebration of exceptional leadership and innovation". The awards are a valuable complement to the Veblen suite of services to their clients and the boards they serve across the leadership spectrum.

On hearing of the nomination, Hatton was, at first, wary. However, he then discovered that the nomination had come from speaker and author Bruce Wade, himself a respected pioneer in thought leadership. "He really thought I was worthy," says Hatton, "and that in itself is an honour."

Bruce Wade, when asked why he nominated Ian Hatton, responded: "He was the first person that came to mind when I saw the award. He has achieved so much and is on the cusp of doing awesome things".

Of his purpose, Ian Hatton has said: "I liberate leadership capacity for growth. Too many organisations think about the financial bottom line. The truth is that organisational growth of any kind, including financial, begins with leadership."

Winners of the Veblen Directors Leadership Awards 2025 will be announced on Thursday, 31 July 2025.

Voting is open to all members of the public, who receive a range of high-value digital gifts from the organisers and sponsors. These include exclusive guidelines for professional development to achieve greater opportunities and revenues in business or the workplace.

Interested parties can vote for Ian Hatton on the Veblen Directors Leadership Awards 2025 Thought Leadership category voting page at https://bit.ly/IanHattonTLA2025. 

About Ian Hatton

Ian Hatton has worked with tens of thousands of leaders from over 100 countries. His first book, 'Lead Like Morpheus: The Genius of Conscious Leadership', and EGG3 Leadership Assessment have made his refreshing approach accessible to every leader.

Ian draws on his vast experience as a leader and facilitator across the corporate world, professional and community organisations. In 2022, the Southern African Professional Speakers Association (PSASA) inducted him into its Educators Hall of Fame for his conscious leadership work.

As the founder of Totally Morpheus, Ian Hatton liberates leadership capacity for growth through his keynotes, facilitation, assessments, and bespoke events.