What time do you usually wake up on weekdays? 

I am usually up at 5am, I like to be up early to reflect on the day and not rush to get ready for heading out to work. 

How do you spend the first hour of your day? 

It is the quiet time in the office first thing. It allows me to just take a breath and be still for a moment. This is the time my already overactive brain starts aligning items to be done and just allowing some creative thoughts on how to attain the goals for the day or week. 

What sparked your interest in finance?  

I loved the intricacy of number, how these 10 digits can tell a story depending on the context they are places and the accuracy of the information. I enjoyed the understanding of how one can take a page of numbers and look at the links across multi-faceted disciplines (Revenue/ Assets/ Liabilities) and individually they would say one thing, but holistically they can trace historical activities and allow you to plot future strategic paths. It was a chapter within a chapter, but together they were a novel. 

Can you share some career highlights and defining moments? 

Most of my career businesses in which we have created upward growth paths. Uncannily, almost all the businesses I have had the privilege to be in (or lead), have had large growth trajectories. Overall, without one defining moment, this has taught me to face challenges head on, make decisions and be agile moving forward as no plan (no matter how good) survives in entirety, at first contact. My defining moment was when my wife was diagnosed with cancer that led to a 4 year battle which she bravely overcame – her resilience and strength to this day is what creates my drive to balance my family with the business success, the critical balance of who you do this for against what you do allows me to keep clarity on my work ethic. 

How do you handle professional challenges? 

Challenges need clear thoughts to overcome, I strive not to be emotional in responses to challenges but first ask one question – “What is the goal”. I have an ability to take the goal and see multiple paths across the challenge to decide a course – make the complex challenge, simple. It is not failsafe, but mistakes have led to experience, and it has been the experience that has led to the ability to make the correct decisions. 

What future goals are you excited about? 

I look forward to learning. I am a learner, and my mind needs constant stimulation so that I am involved in the holistic business. I am looking forward to the next phase of my mind expansion, so that I am continually inspired. 

Have you had any international or different cultural experiences in your career?  

I have worked in multifaceted industries (Logistics/ Fuel terminals/ engineering / Projects/IT and Manufacturing). IN many of these we have had Foreign Holding companies, so the reporting lines were local and international, and I travelled extensively to Europe and the East in my portfolio. I enjoyed the cultural nuances in business, and learning how to interact correctly and respectfully across multiple jurisdictions. 

What key skills should a newly qualified accountant develop on their path to becoming a CFO? 

The foundational theory and accounting practice is just a start. Finance is essentially a support service for most businesses. One must look to strategic and leadership skills to be able to interpret the business across multiple different thought streams – such as commercial/ technical etc. a CFO is a Constructive Critic; Ardent Supporter; Conscientious Objector; Conscience to the leadership team. I always equate the CFO to be the Jockey on the Thoroughbred racehorse in the biggest race – you have to learn to know when to allow the Horse to take the lead, and when you as the Jockey, have to control the pace to ensure the goals are attained. It is a fine balancing act, and it takes mistakes to build the experience to get more right than wrong. 

How do you balance your personal and professional life?  

Take time to be present. Make sure the time you do spend with family/ loved ones, you are present. 
Always ensure they know that they are the most important part of your life – they are truly the reason you are being who you are. To be the best for them. 

What are your interests outside of work? 

I love gardening and trying to grow foods I can eat. I emphasize try. I have built a huge respect for farmers and their abilities as my small-scale attempts are far less successful than my professional career. 
I also spend time with an NPC – www.heartland.org.za – it is soul renewing and gives me a lot of peace. 

How do you contribute to the development of others in your field? 

I tried to find time to mentor and joined the CIMA mentor program. It is difficult to fit in, but I believe it is integral to assist others in their professional and personal growth. I also try my best to explain why I do things in the office, as this allows others to understand the actions and how they affect them and the business. 

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a CFO? 

Learn tolerance, learn to communicate and understand that not everyone sees your vision. You must explain things differently to different audiences. No one is the same. 
Mistakes happen, this is learning – just adapt and move on. 

What’s your favorite quote or mantra? 

There is Do, or Do not, there is no Try. 
Simply put, decide confidently, and move forward as standing still is as bad as going back. Do this in a way that you can monitor and adapt as the situation develops. If you understand your goal the paths may change, but they all head to the same outcome. 

Share your favorite leadership lesson. 

Allow the solution to come from the correct party first, allow them to grow by becoming more confident in offering solutions to challenges rather than you doing so for them. Use these as teaching moments – you will be surprised at how it builds people up. You will create a strong contingent. 

What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your business bio? 

I love building the Lego Technical series. It focusses me to the point that I block out everything. Its design fascinates me. 

What’s your favorite non-business app on your phone?  

Kindle – I love to read. 

If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be? 

Languages. I would like to know and understand many languages to make communication better, and respectful for multiple audiences. 

What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays? 

Get up, stretch and take a walk around the work area. The beating heart of the organisation. Being in the middle of the production area / Terminal lets you know where you are. 

If you could relive one day from your professional career, which day would it be and why? 

The first day of the first job post articles. It was a day where I knew I could choose the future, that I was able to plot my own course and create paths different to those paths already trodden. It was a dream that was fresh.