Clockwork Empowerment Fund

Clockwork is a South African media, marketing and digital communications company with offices in Johannesburg and London, offering services that include digital strategy, design, public relations, web development, video production and event activations. Its Clockwork Empowerment Fund, established by co-founder Nic Simmonds, channels a portion of the company's profits every year into full bursaries — covering tuition and related costs — for three to five young Black female students studying marketing- and advertising-related degrees or diplomas.

The fund exists for an explicitly stated transformation reason: Simmonds has said it is imperative that private enterprise plays an authentic and meaningful role in helping to transform South African society and the economy to become more inclusive and diverse, in an industry where Black women remain underrepresented at senior levels. Clockwork backs recipients with ongoing academic support throughout their studies rather than a once-off payment, and afterwards gives them priority consideration for paid internships or first-job positions within the company, intended to help them move smoothly from study into the workplace. This is not a compulsory work-back bond — graduates are not obligated to work for Clockwork — but a genuine, structured pathway into employment that the company actively offers its bursary alumni.