Mattheus Rikus Wessels

Creative Strategist & Talent Consultant | Organisational Growth, Operations Management & People Strategy | Research

About

Hi, I’m Mattheus Wessels (also known as Rikus), a globally experienced professional passionate about connecting people, ideas, and opportunities. With over 14 years of experience across recruitment, talent acquisition, organisational development, learning and development, and education leadership, I’ve worked in diverse markets including South Africa, South Korea, and Georgia.My foundation lies in International Studies and History from Stellenbosch University, with academic extensions in Belgium and Germany. I hold a Master’s in International Human Resources Management from the Rome Business School. This global education informs my people-first, purpose-driven approach to organisational strategy and team development.I specialise in building inclusive cultures, leading cross-cultural teams, designing impactful learning programmes, and delivering strategic recruitment solutions.I bring energy, creativity, and emotional intelligence to every initiative, with a strong focus on performance, engagement, and long-term impact.Known for being collaborative, curious, and nurturing, I thrive in roles that blend people operations with strategic growth. I’m also a proud advocate for mental health, psychological safety, and global citizenship.Outside of work, I’m a traveller at heart, fascinated by geopolitics, current affairs, and emerging cultures. I also enjoy writing, storytelling, and discovering new wines wherever I go.Think we might build something meaningful together? Let’s connect.

Professional Experience

  • People & Organisational Development

  • Talent Acquisition Specialist

  • Recruiter

  • Corporate Communications Manager

  • Team Manager & Educational Program Coordinator

  • Head ESL Teacher

  • Project Manager

  • ESL Content Editor

  • Growth Manager

  • Academic Writing

  • Career Consultant

  • Creative Business Strategist

Key Professional Achievements

  • Global Recruitment & Talent Building: Over 7 years of experience in international recruitment and talent strategy across education, creative, and digital environments. Built and managed global teams at OrangeCat Global and Son’s Edu, sourcing creative, technical, and teaching talent across multiple regions and time zones.

  • Educational Innovation & Content Development: Led curriculum development and educational publishing initiatives for Son’s Edu, including the creation and delivery of learner-focused reading materials and flipped-learning resources. Directed projects from concept through publication, ensuring content quality, engagement, and pedagogical alignment.

  • Training, Development & Leadership Enablement: Designed and delivered training programmes for Korean branch directors and international staff, strengthening leadership capability, cross-cultural collaboration, and operational consistency. Mentored educators and managers through periods of growth and organisational change.

  • Project & Creative Operations Leadership: Managed cross-functional and distributed teams to deliver complex projects on time and at scale. Oversaw outsourced creative production, including 2D animated content for YouTube at OrangeCat Global, balancing quality, timelines, and cost efficiency.

  • Academic & Strategic Foundation: Completed a Master’s in International Human Resources Management at Rome Business School, combining strong theoretical grounding with applied solutions to real-world international HR and organisational challenges.

  • Professional Writing & Research: Recognised for high-quality writing and editorial work through selection as a writer and editor with IAPWE, reflecting strong research capability, narrative clarity, and attention to detail. Currently producing research-backed long-form features on leadership, systems change, and social innovation.

  • Cross-Border & Intercultural Expertise: Worked across South Africa, South Korea, the United States, Europe, and Georgia, developing deep intercultural competence and the ability to operate effectively across legal, cultural, and organisational boundaries.