Emma van Rooyen is a business leader with 25+ years’ experience as CEO, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, guiding organisations through growth, transformation and ownership change. Her career spans acquisitions, mergers, exits, diversification, market expansion and product launches across public and private sectors—from Fortune 100 companies to SMEs, private equity-backed and employee-owned businesses—as well as founding and running her own company. She has consistently focused on helping organisations scale, unlock opportunity and build high-performing leadership teams.
As Managing Director of Vistage UK & Ireland, Emma leads the organisation supporting CEOs, business owners and senior executives through confidential peer advisory groups, guided by the conviction that no leader should navigate leadership alone. She believes the clarity, perspective and accountability gained from trusted peers help leaders make more confident decisions and create greater impact—for their businesses, people and the wider economy. Passionate about the ripple effect of great leadership, Emma works closely with Vistage Chairs, members and strategic partners to strengthen the leadership community across the UK and Ireland.
She also serves as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer with Chief Outsiders, advising founder-led and mid-market businesses on growth strategy, market positioning and commercial foundations for scaling.
Emma holds an MBA and dual British and American citizenship, bringing an international perspective to her work.
Outside work, she lives in Greater London, is the proud parent of three grown children, and enjoys gardening, hiking, cycling and raising a puppy as a lifelong dog owner—believing resilience built outside work underpins resilience in leadership.
