For more than three decades, Johan Nel has helped business enterprises structure, protect, and commercialise technology assets. His work combines legal, commercial, and strategic expertise to deliver clear, practical contracting support that strengthens innovation and reduces risk. The Centre for Innovative Commerce exists to make complex technology transactions understandable, defensible, and commercially sound.

With 38 years of corporate experience, he has worked across legal, commercial, and intellectual property functions in technology-driven environments. His work has included:
• Structuring technology development and collaboration frameworks
• Negotiating cross-border licensing and commercialisation agreements
• Leading commercial governance for innovation-intensive business units
• Advising executives on technology risk, ownership, and value extraction
This experience now informs a practice dedicated to practical, commercially relevant contracting support.

He has been a member of the Licensing Executives Society of South Africa for many years and also served on the board of the Society. He is also a Fellow of the International Bar Association (IBA). He holds a B Iuris from the University of the Free State, a B Com and an LLB both from the University of South Africa, and an LLM (International Trade Law) from Stellenbosch University.