As Agile, we shine a spotlight on one of our portfolio companies, Aquatico Group, which runs an environmental monitoring, testing and reporting group which services a range of sectors. The laboratory services at Aquatico are led by Hermie Holtzhausen in her role as laboratory manager and Director of the group.  

Hermie Holtzhausen explains that her passion for science began when she watched the American TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

“The programme inspired a lot of scientists – seeing a piece of fabric being analysed by instruments which in 5 minutes produced results that indicated the car, make, model, year and paint colour -  I am sure they also got the drivers eye colour!  After working in a laboratory in the real world you realize much of it was fiction, however in the Aquatico laboratory we do have some amazing technology.”

Hermie studied languages, Maths, Physical Science, Accounting and Computer studies at school, as she was thinking about a career as an accountant or something in IT. 

‘I was one of those children at school that thought that I will NEVER use organic chemistry I was proven wrong.’

She explains that the daily routine in the laboratory is quite diverse. Some days are spent at a desk doing admin work while other days are spent running samples and doing analysis using various instruments and tools. “Aquatico Laboratories have a number of departments including:  Chemical; Microbiological; Organic; Geochemical; and Occupational health. Here several techniques are used for analyses like titrations, digestions, extractions, evaporations, spectroscopy and gas chromatography.

The most interesting projects are those that require investigation into environmental changes. Clients will call due to contaminants in water - this could be samples where water suddenly changed colour, had a strange odour or even actually burned the skin when taking a bath or shower. This can also include cases when livestock or wildlife are found deceased near water sources, explains Hermie.

While women are still underrepresented in the scientific field, Hermie’s advice is: 

Do not let your gender dictate your career choice, if science is your passion, go for it. 

Confucius said: Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

Hermie’s advice resonates with us at Agile, a private equity company with significant female ownership that always seeks to partner with businesses with robust business models, an inclusive and transformative culture such as Aquatico Group.