Experience

Punga Trading Ltd

• International Trade and Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Owner

  • 1995 - Present

  My biggest achievement was building a business from $0 to $20mil ARR and I have been fortunate to have: 1. Created, trademarked and developed the brand of Fruit Squeeze Fruit Juice. Brand Launched in South Africa in early 2000’s with rollout to multiple countries globally. 2. Licensed the brand to a client in Nigeria. I completed all value chains & financial modelling based on delivered duty paid raw material pricing & assisted the MD to project manage the brand in all aspects. 3. Set up a Customs Controlled Dangerous Goods warehouse & Storage facility in South Africa for importing vessel loads of ethanol in bulk, re-exporting containers of drummed ethanol to clients in Africa. Achieved a shipment of 127 x 20ft containers on 1 vessel for a client in a 3 day period. 4. Set up a trucking company to move bulk tankers of ethanol (excisable dangerous goods)from shore-tanks in port to drumming warehouse in South Africa in order to achieve volumes required by clients per vessel. 5. Consulted for a client in Lagos Nigeria to set up a warehouse to import and wholesale ethanol using a complex arrangement which included Lloyd’s of London Insurance, police escorts from port of destination to destination warehouse, a multinational Collateral Management Agent, and Local Bank financing. Now consulting with this client to build a $50m ethanol plant in Nigeria. Provided complete greenfield offer for all equipment including financial modelling, to project repayment of capital in 6 years. 6. Conceived, designed and developed Spiritual Vodka. Trademarked the brand globally using IPONZ and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation). Formulated suitable recipe with a NZ food technologist to ensure exceptional quality. Developed packaging to denote quality and purity and worked with colleagues to launch the brand in New Zealand and subsequently exported to various international markets. Spiritual has won 12 international awards since 2014 for its exceptional quality. Show less



Easy Crypto

• New Zealand
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of emerging markets

  • Feb 2020 - Feb 2023

  ✤ As Head of Emerging Markets for New Zealand headquartered digital currency retailer Easy Crypto, I’m responsible for developing Easy Crypto’s business in some of the biggest growth markets in the world. Digital currencies have the potential to revolutionise the financial landscape, especially in emerging markets where the traditional banking systems are often extremely expensive, and a larger percentage of people are unbanked due to the difficulties in opening bank accounts and doing traditional banking. Africa is a prime example of a market at the forefront of cryptocurrencies and Easy Crypto’s ease of use, simplicity and security make it well positioned to help lead the charge. Show less



Kiwikrypto

• Capital Markets

• Founder and General Manager

  • Feb 2019 - Mar 2020

  My interest in digital currencies started in the early days of Bitcoin when it traded at $150. In 2017 I used this digital currency to reduce transaction times of international payments for one of my long term clients from 2 weeks (due to shortage of forex) down to 20 minutes, all while ensuring this payment mechanism complied with local regulations and international AML requirements. This was my introduction to the power of fintech and how it will change the world of finance just as email changed communication. I have successfully set up a digital currency exchange service in South Africa which enables South Africans to become a part of this new financial paradigm. I am proud to offer first time buyers the safest, fastest and cheapest entrance to digital currencies. Clients can register and purchase their first digital currency in under 2 minutes at the best rates in South Africa. Show less



Waiwera Group Ltd

• CEO

  • Jun 2014 - Jul 2015

  As Chief Executive Officer I was responsible for the successful leadership and management of the Company according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. My biggest achievement was having the first profitable quarter - this was achieved by setting the strategy early on and focusing on sales and most profitable SKU's and markets. Through my solid understanding international trade I was able to mitigate significant risk. Operational The development of any operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the Company. Ensuring that the operation of the Company meets the expectations of its clients, Board and Funders. Overseeing the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the Company. Planning and managing company programmers. Overseeing the planning, implementation and evaluation of the Company’s products. Financial planning and management Working with staff and the Board (Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget. Approving expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board. Ensuring that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed. Administering the funds of the Company according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the Company. Risk management Identifying and evaluating the risks to the Company’s people (clients, staff, management, suppliers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implementing measures to control risks. Ensuring that the Board and the Company carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage. Ensuring that the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions and limitations of the insurance coverage. Show less