After 12 years of working in the industry, in many senior and executive management roles, I've finally launched my own BEE Verification Agency, EVASA, which stands for the Empowerment Verification Agency of South Africa. EVASA is a SANAS-accredited BEE Verification Agency, accredited to perform verifications on the generic Codes of Good Practice, as well as the following Sector Codes: AgriBEE, Construction, ICT, Integrated Transport (Road Freight Sub-Sector), MAC, Property and Tourism, with Financial Sector Charter awaiting final accreditation. Visit our website at www.evasa.co.za

A continuation of my roles and responsibilities at Carvel Capital, but now under my own consulting business. The services offered by DDG Consulting include the following:• Strategic BEE advice at Executive level• Calculation of an entity’s existing BEE score• GAP analysis to determine what areas require improvements, and what areas can be improved• Scenario planning to determine options available to clients in line with their requirements• Strategic plans to enable an entity to achieve an agreed level (after consulting with a client and being realistic about an achievable level, taking in to account any constraints)• Interaction with an entity’s BEE Verification Agency on behalf of the entity• Assistance with providing cost-effective solutions across the different elements in order to assist an entity achieve their required level in as efficient a manner as possible• Advice and assistance on Ownership structures• Competent Person’s Report’s on BEE matters• Opinion’s on BEE matters, in consultation with leading verification agencies• Assistance with compiling a BEE file for verification, as well as assisting the client through the verification process to completion of the rating• Ad hoc BEE requirements from clients

Having spent almost 8 years on the assurance side of BEE ratings, I moved across to a consulting and advisory role. My role was to assist clients, on a consultancy and advisory basis, with improvements to their BEE initiatives, which would ultimately lead to improved BEE compliance. Not only did I assist clients with BEE plans, I was also a source of BEE opinions - as a competent person - as well as valuations for BEE transactions.

I oversee the Western Cape, Kwazulu-Natal and Pretoria offices of Empowerdex. I am responsible for all operational matters, and drive revenue growth, cost containment, and overall profitability of the regions. I handle all HR issues that relate to these regions, as well as provide input and assistance to the marketing function, the IT function and overall strategy of the separate regions. I sit on the Management Committee of Empowerdex, as well as the Technical Committee. I am also responsible for clients in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. Since being responsible for the Western Cape, the region has shown significant growth, both at the revenue line as well as at the profitability line.

I headed up the Wealth Management Services at Netto, with my principal roles being new business development, planner support and overseeing the marketing function. Netto has over R800m under advice.Key responsibilities: General Management New Business Development Oversee Marketing Initiatives Planner Assistance and overview Budget construction and controlsKPIs: New Business Written Cost controls Marketing initiatives effectively implemented New Revenue streams identified

I was the owner and Managing Director of a chain of retail outlets in Cape Town called Only Underwear. This business was purchased in September 2005. Key responsibilities: All disciplines required to run a successful business, including:Operations, Finance, Strategy, HR, Marketing, Buying, Distribution, AccountingOngoing business analysis and process re-engineeringKPIs: Increased Gross Margin from 35% to 50% Reduced costs by 43% Centralised distribution system Complete new Point of Sale System Regulated HR practices, contracts and conditions of employment Entire overhaul of cash management practicesSignificant improvement in relationship with creditorsKey Skills attained: Significant general management experience Cost control experience Business process re-engineering

I was a Project Officer in the Special Projects team, and dealt with strategic projects commissioned by the CEO of Shoprite Holdings Ltd. Key responsibilities: Driving a stock reduction program of R500 millionImproving the accuracy and integrity of the R2.6bn Stock LedgerImproving the processes, functionality and measurement systems of Stock ControlBusiness AnalysisProject ManagementKPIs: Assisted implementation of stock control - heralded by CEO as a significant reason for Shoprite's improved stock management and strong financial results Significant intervention as the link between operations and systemsKey Skills attained: Corporate Communication experience at all levels Project Management experience Business Analysis

I was responsible for design, development and installation of a bespoke system for a train operator.Key responsibilities: Design and development of Front Office, Accounts and Management systemsDesign and development of CRM capabilities.Project ManagementBusiness AnalysisKPIs: Completed scope of project Developed prototype system Programmed the actual system All documentation required for the system Installed new system at client Ongoing amendments and enhancements on-site Progressed project to maintenance phase Key Skills attained: In-depth exposure to all areas of the Systems Development Life CycleHeavily customer-facingIT Development skills Project Management skillsBusiness Analyst on system enhancements

on first arriving in London in the 2nd half of 1999Key responsibilities: Co-ordinating the closure of outstanding jobs Performing hardware and software enhancements

I was the first Administration Manager at Sportsmans Warehouse. Key responsibilities: All Administration functions of the branchLiaison between Head Office and the branchA member of the Management team in the branchKPIs: Assisted in developing the Job Description for this new role Ran the branch in the absence of the Manager or Assistant ManagerOverseeing the Administration function for the other branches in the Western CapeKey Skills attained: Effective communication at all levels of an organisation Time-management, accuracy and attention to detail General retail operations experience and exposure Contract roles in the UK

I was a tester on an IT system written for two utilities suppliers.Key responsibilities: Writing of detailed test scripts, incorporating predicted and actual outcomes.

Information analysis and Spread-sheetingKey responsibilities: Extracting financial information from Companies' Prospectus, and recording this information in Excel and Access applications.

I was an assistant in a firm of NotariesKey responsibilities: Generating bills, ad hoc spread sheeting and Access programming.

University vacation employmentKey responsibilities: I was responsible for Stock Control for the Annual Stock take at the main warehouse in Parow. Additional credit control duties Branch profitability analysis.KPIs: Ensured the stock count took place accurately and within the allocated time