Global Business Leader, Champion of the Arts, and Dedicated Grey Philanthropist
Vincent Mai, a proud Old Grey of the Class of 1957, played 1st XI cricket and 1st XV rugby in his matric year. He is proud to have opened the bowling with Peter Pollock for the year, and to have been in the team that welcomed Graeme Pollock to the 1st XI when he was in Standard 6. In those days, the Pollock Field was simply called the Front Field. He also received Colours for swimming in his matric year. Vincent played for UCT 1st XV rugby from 1961 to 1963, along with his Grey High School friends and teammates John Rushmere, Andrew Sass and Mike Gillies.
Vincent is an esteemed international businessman and philanthropist whose life’s work bridges the worlds of finance, education, and the arts. From his formative years at Grey to his global leadership in New York and beyond, Vincent continues to exemplify the values of service, excellence, and impact.
After studying Accounting at UCT, Vincent qualified as a Chartered Accountant, CA (SA), after which he built a distinguished career in international finance, eventually founding The Cranemere Group, a values-based global investment holding company. Known for his integrity, long-term vision, and commitment to responsible capitalism, Vincent has become a respected voice in both business and philanthropy.
Equally influential is his contribution to the arts and education. As Chairman of The Juilliard School, the world’s premier performing arts conservatory, Vincent has overseen a period of significant transformation. Under his leadership, Juilliard expanded globally with the opening of Juilliard Tianjin in China and recently launched its most ambitious initiative yet.
“Juilliard Announces Historic Campaign for a Tuition-Free Future at The Juilliard School”- This ground-breaking campaign seeks to eliminate tuition for all Juilliard students, ensuring that no talented young artist is excluded because of financial limitations. The initiative reflects Vincent’s lifelong commitment to educational equity and the power of opportunity."
This same ethos has guided his remarkable support of The Grey Foundation, where he has been a key driver of change and upliftment. Since 2007, Vincent has donated generously to bursary funding at Grey, directly enabling talented boys from disadvantaged communities to access the life-changing opportunities of a Grey education. Notably, his support made it possible for Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi to attend Grey, launching a journey that would inspire millions, including captaining the Springboks, to winning the Rugby World Cup successively in 2019 and 2023.
Vincent has always made reference to the excellent education and life training he received at Grey, including putting in his utmost effort, having respect for others, and the value of teamwork in achieving the best results.
As a lover of music and the performing arts, Vincent has been impressed by the commitment Grey has made to developing an outstanding and widely admired music program, which enriches life at the school in so many different ways.
Vincent’s legacy aligns with one of the central strategic objectives of The Grey Foundation: to grow the school’s bursary programme and broaden access to a Grey education. The Foundation is actively working toward increasing the number of full and partial bursary recipients from 74 to 120 learners per year. This vision reflects the school’s long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the development of young men of excellence.
Through his leadership, philanthropy, and enduring connection to The Grey, Vincent Mai remains a towering example of what it means to live the Grey motto: Tria Juncta in Uno - Body, Mind, and Spirit united in purpose.