Experience

THEMOBILELINE

• South Africa
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Partner Consulting and Advisory

  • 2022 - Present

  Evaluated and capitalized on new business ventures in Telco, Fintech, and Insurtech sectors, navigating regulatory environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams at TheMobileLine boutique consulting and advisory firm. - Conducted comprehensive valuations and buy-sell negotiations for companies worth R50m-R500m, utilizing industry insights, research, and financial modeling to provide valuations, financial statements, and strategies. - Leveraged finance strategy and risk management to develop a business case, assemble an executive team, and implement alternative handset financing products for mid-to-low market tiers, with R10m seed capital raised. Show less



MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS

• South Africa

• Chief Officer Finance and Commercial

  • 2020 - 2022

  Created financial and commercial operations for a molecular medical diagnostics company in South Africa, specializing in infectious diseases (5,000 tests per month), and expanded partnerships across seven African nations as co-founder and shareholder. - Co-led successful acquisition of R26mil infectious disease distribution business, leveraging strategic vision and effective negotiation skills to identify growth opportunities of R89mil over next 3 years. - Secured BEEE Level 2 by implementing a structure, ensuring company compliance with BEEE regulations and implementing the YES program to empower disadvantaged youth while maintaining statutory compliance with TAX and GAAP. Show less



MTN South Africa

• South Africa
• Telecommunications
• 700 & Above Employee

• General Manager: Mobile Financial Services Insurance

  • 2019 - 2020

  Initiated R200mil business case, profit and loss, Go to Market, customer value management and identification and assessing mergers and acquisition opportunities. - Innovated, transformed and digitized MTNSA's short-term insurance book, replacing third-party administrators and overhauling outdated processes and systems. Implemented a unified online system, resulting in risk reduction and a 4% pp margin increase. - Developed R300mil life insurance business plan and product roadmap by forming a joint venture with a prominent insurer, leveraging technology expertise and products. Engaged internal and external key stakeholders for support. - Improved budgeting, reporting, and operational management functions, navigating complex regulatory compliance requirements and establishing targeted plans to achieve significant growth milestones of R1bn Gross Written Premium by 2023. Show less



Digitata Limited

• Mauritius
• Telecommunications
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer: Dynamic Tariffing

  • 2016 - 2018

  Spearheaded the Dynamic Tariffing System (DTS), an innovation in mobile network revenue management, capable of increasing revenues by a minimum of 10% in highly competitive markets. - Delivered exceptional customer satisfaction with NPS scores above 65 by offering a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly platform as a service (PaaS) to customers across MEA, Asia, and South America, fostering revenue growth and profitability. - Aligned operations and laid the foundation for a successful entity that was part of a group of companies that listed on the stock exchange for R333mil. Show less



Telesure Investment Holdings (TIH)

• South Africa
• Insurance
• 700 & Above Employee

• Executive: New Business and Product

  • 2013 - 2016

  Directed P&L for R2 billion revenue, expertly collaborating with cross-functional executives, revealing financial analysis opportunities, and securing backing for effective project prioritization. - Spearheaded the R40mil development of a consumer offering using a digital mobile application to collect data for usage-based insurance, provide online services, and offer 24/7 customer support. - Positioned the company as a digital player and decrease insurance claims by R210 million p.a., leveraging data analytics and strong financial modeling to drive profitability. Show less



Vodacom

• South Africa
• Telecommunications
• 700 & Above Employee

• Managing Executive: Consumer Business Development Pre-Paid & Post-paid

  • 2011 - 2013

  Selected by Vodacom CEO to drive the Consumer Business Unit with a R20 billion P&L. Oversaw 40+ staff and four division executives, boosting prepaid, post-paid, and data service revenues. - Devised impactful pricing plans, yielding a 6% revenue boost (R800 million) and 25% data revenue growth, reducing customer churn by 2% and ceasing post-paid revenue loss to over-the-top (OTT) players within two years. - Launched Powerhour to stimulate pre-paid revenue and customer expenditure in the emerged and emerging consumer segment - Restructured the product development team increasing productivity by approximately 300% within 12 months. Show less



Blue Label Telecoms

• Telecommunications
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Group Executive: International Business & Strategy

  • 2009 - 2011

  Represented the company as a board director at Oxiygen (India), Blue Label Mexico, and Sharedphone International. - Employed business acumen, negotiation prowess, and strategic vision to structure and negotiate a strategic investment agreement with Grupo Bimbo, unlocking 600k+ electronic voucher distribution points and increasing market share by 5% in Mexico.- Launched an innovative kiosk banking model with State Bank of India, employing biometrics for transactions, yielding 350,000 new accounts within 16 weeks. Show less

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

  • 2007 - 2009

  Assumed full accountability for operational and strategic direction of the business, focusing on the development and implementation of mobile and digital strategies aligned with the business plan.- Attracted 100,000 subscribers in 4 months by securing investment from Microsoft USA for Mibli, a software application providing emerging market customers with basic feature phone access to mobile apps (such as Facebook, Twitter, and games) and a mobile wallet.- Boosted revenue through the promotion of mobile advertising on feature phones. Show less

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

  • 2007 - 2007

  Restructured the company to facilitate business turnaround, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.- Reduced year-on-year customer decline by reorganizing the IT and systems environment team, increasing the capacity for rapid innovation.- Doubled monthly net subscriber acquisitions within 4 weeks through product enhancement, simplified mobile access, product bundling, and exploration of alternative routes-to-market to attract new customers.- Accelerated Look4Help product development within 6 weeks, enabling customers to alert 4 pre-programmed numbers of a panic situation using GEO-Locate.- Launched a direct-to-market channel, contributing over 60% of gross subscriber acquisitions within 6 months of introduction. Show less



VMOBILE

• Telecommunications
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Sales and Products Officer

  • 2004 - 2006

  Revamped sales function for over 400 personnel by structuring teams, setting sales targets, implementing KPAs and KPIs, constructing distribution channels, applying product and business strategies, and expanding market reach. Focused on bolstering network revenue through subscriber growth, ARPU enhancement, and direct management of gross margin and operational overheads. - Expanded net subscriber base from 0.5 million to 5.6 million within 24 months, creating a Nigerian brand synonymous with consumer trust. - Amplified distribution channel from 140 to 1200 traders, generating 15% of network revenues from the channel within 6 months. - Boosted revenue by 15% in 6 months through the introduction of an innovative electronic recharging system featuring pin, pinless, and real-time airtime purchases at small pocket change prices. - Introduced various iconic brands, delivering personalized, localized, and trailblazing products, positioning the company as the network for the Nigerian people. Show less



Vodacom

• South Africa
• Telecommunications
• 700 & Above Employee

• Acting Chief Officer Sales and Products- Vodacom Nigeria

  • 2003 - 2004

  Assisted the interim management team during the acquisition of Econet Nigeria, assuming full accountability for sales functions such as organizational structure, incentives, subscriber acquisitions, product and supplier negotiations, financial modeling, store rollout, dealer pricing, and distribution channel development.

• Executive Head of Division: Commercial Sales, Products and Services

  • 2002 - 2003

  Assumed full accountability for financial and commercial responsibilities in the start-up division, focusing on the development of policies and procedures for financial, commercial, pricing, and procurement matters.- Devised the business plan and model for launching WASP in South Africa, negotiating the initial agreement between the country's three mobile operators.-Doubled SMS-MT revenues in 12 months by introducing additional content revenue streams, stimulating consumer demand.- Gained industry acceptance for launching SMS shortcodes, giving rise to premium-rated billing services, enabling content providers to price profitably and generate sufficient margins.- Generated sponsor and investment opportunities for Vodacom through the creation of the "First Tuesday" event, attended by 400 delegates, stimulating interest among consumers and content providers in WASP, resulting in accelerated industry growth. Show less



Vodacom

• South Africa
• Telecommunications
• 700 & Above Employee

• Executive Head of Division: Finance New Business Development

  • 2000 - 2001

  Directed a finance team in developing business and financial modeling, regulatory cost reporting, wholesale tariffing and pricing strategies, and budgeting and forecasting for the Vodacom Group.- Conducted in-depth investigation, analysis, and comprehension of cost drivers within the Vodacom group in 9 months to implement an Activity-Based Costing Model (ABC) across the group.- Constructed a model to forecast network revenues and growth based on the lowest common denominator, achieving 99% accuracy in financial income forecasts. Show less

• Chief Financial Officer- Vodacare

  • 1999 - 2001

  Seconded by the Group Finance Director to oversee Vodacom's investment in Vodacare, handling business operations, finance, commercial aspects, raising finance, and full financial reporting at Group Board level.- Negotiated a reduced contract price for Vodacare, saving R35 million on the deal.- Formulated a strategic growth model, decreasing overheads by 66% and streamlining operations, including reducing headcount while maintaining optimal customer service.- Minimized the business cost base and expanded the business footprint by implementing a franchise model, launching 12 franchise stores in 4 months. Show less