What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received, personally or professionally?
I have received amazing advice from many incredible people. Some key principles include: 'Love fiercely; once you commit, don’t give up; hard things are valuable, so lean into them; forgive; stand up for those in need; and don’t forget to laugh and rest.’
What do you do to set yourself up for the day ahead?
Pray, exercise, and get going early.
What do you do to unwind after a long week?
My happy place is the beach with my family—my wife and three kids. The ocean has always been a key part of my life and has given me so much. After the salt water and sun, ending the day behind the barbecue with friends marks a great day.
What do you love most about your job, and why?
The team! Work comes in many forms but the people alongside you make the difference. In addition, it's exceptionally rewarding to contribute to SSE's mission. Entrepreneurialism and building businesses are passions of mine, so it's a privilege to be involved in a mission to equip people with the skills to overcome barriers to employment and education through entrepreneurship.
If you could learn any skill instantly, what would it be?
To speed read and photographically retain the information. (Not sure this is categorised as a skill, but to be able to do this would be very helpful, to say the least!)
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To slow down time.
What’s the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
In my early twenties, I had the privilege of volunteering with an organisation that ran programs internationally. I was fortunate enough to travel to fascinating places and engage in meaningful tasks, such as cleaning and refurbishing a clinic in an area known as 'Garbage City' in Cairo and preparing land for a children's home in a remote part of the Philippines. What truly transformed these experiences were the incredible people I met and the time I spent with them.
Bonus round:
• Music or podcasts? Both
• Early mornings or late nights? Early mornings but long days!
• Cats or dogs? Dogs
• Solo or team? Sport- solo but for life, teams
• Big or small gathering? Small
• Summer or winter? Summer
• Horror or comedy movie? Action
• Walk slow or walk fast? Run then rest
• Go-to comfort food? Burgers and rice pudding
• Reading the book or seeing the movie? I want to say the book. “Readers are leaders” is what I tell my kids! But the movie means I have quality time with my family, so ‘movie’!
• Favourite adventure/holiday destination? So many on the ‘To Do List’ but a family favourite with so many happy memories is Cape St Francis (Eastern Cape, South Africa).
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