Full Name: Keith Anthony Vroon
Position: CEO of Novus Holdings, since July 2016
Main Activity of the Company: Novus Holdings, previously known as Paarl Media Group, is a commercial printing and manufacturing company
Date and Place of Birth: June 15, 1965, Port Elizabeth
Education: BCom, University of Port Elizabeth (UP), 1992; Bcom (Hons), UP, 1994; CA (SA), 1995; higher diploma in taxation law, University of Cape Town, 1998
First Job: After serving articles with Ernst & Young, I was appointed financial manager at Malachi Carpets, a manufacturer of carpets for the automotive and domestic sectors
Career History Prior to Current Position: As a chartered accountant, I began my career with the Naspers group when I joined MWeb in March 1999. I then joined Paarl Media Group in 2004 as CFO and was appointed the group’s COO in 2012
Size of First Pay Packet: R875 a month in 1988, when I was an articled clerk
First Job with Present Group: I began my career with Novus Holdings (then Paarl Media Group) as CFO in 2004
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 2 000 employees across the Novus Holdings group and an executive team comprising eight people
Management Style: Open communication and dialogue that involves and aligns the team in the strategic direction of the company, encouraging individual thinking, responsibility, accountability and participation.
Personal Best Achievement: Passing the final qualifying exam to become a chartered accountant at the first attempt, watching my children grow up
Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as CEO of Novus Holdings
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents, wife and children
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father got me started. He was a chartered accountant and the CFO of a large corporate – he inspired me to go in that direction. Antonie Roux had a very positive impact on my career, once it was under way
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sadly, he is not well anymore – Michael Schumacher
Philosophy of Life: Keep a balance, work to achieve for your long-term goals, learn to take the knocks life dishes up and be patient
Biggest Ever Opportunity: None, in particular
Biggest Ever Disappointment: None, in particular
Hope for the Future: That South Africa is able to provide children, both now and in the future, with the opportunities and a safe environment that they deserve
Favourite Reading: I am an avid reader of issues of topical interest, but have a bias for issues surrounding health and exercise physiology
Favourite TV Programme: Tour de France
Favourite Food/Drink: Generally, the Italians seem to have me covered
Favourite Music: Anything with a good vibe and beat
Favourite Sport: I participate in running and road cycling and love following my two sport-crazy childern in all their events
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Spending quality time with my family
Car: Audi
Pets: Two German Shepherds, one Rottweiler, two Jack Russells and a hedgehog
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Standing in queues and paying for parking.
Favourite Other South African Company: Coca-Cola/SABCO
Favourite Foreign Company: Ferrari and BMW
Married: To Lynette, for 19 years
Children: Kelly, 17; Mandy, 13
Clubs: South African Institute of Chartered Accountants