Full Name: Barry Venter

Position and Company Name: CEO of Nashua

Main Activity of the Company: Nashua provides comprehensive ICT and smart solutions to businesses across Southern Africa

Date and Place of Birth: July 19, 1974, in Bloemfontein

Schools and Tertiary Education: I matriculated at Hoërskool Garsfontein, obtained BCom and MBA degrees from the University of Pretoria, and completed the RICOH international leadership programme at Oxford University

First Job: In the final year of my degree, I joined Nedtel Cellular, then part of Nedbank, on a six-month contract helping in the warehouse and with other tasks

Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month

Career Path to Date: I joined the cellular service provider division, Nashua Mobile, in 2000 as IT operations facilities manager, later becoming national operations and logistics manager and GM for business services. After a short tenure at Allied Mobile Group, I returned to Nashua Mobile in 2011 as COO and became CEO in 2015, while also serving as COO at the Reunert office automation business, Nashua. In 2020, I was appointed CEO of Nashua

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 2 500 employees across Nashua and the franchise channel

Management Style: My management style is people centric. I adapt to changing circumstances while staying true to my values, recognising people and culture as key strategic differentiators. I am results-driven and competitive, eternally inquisitive and maintain high standards 

Personal Best Achievement: My family and seeing my children developing into their own. Professionally, it was using the Nedtel Cellular opportunity as a springboard, learning as much as I could throughout my career and growing at every opportunity

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife stands out for her unwavering support 

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Many people, but Mark Taylor stands out for recognising my potential and providing consistent support and guidance as CEO of Nashua Mobile, CEO of Nashua and segment head of Reunert ICT

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Satya Nadella

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: Surround yourself with the right people

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Serving as CEO of Nashua, and every opportunity to learn and grow that has prepared me for this role, with a particular memorable experience being the RICOH International leadership programme at Oxford University

Biggest Ever Disappointment: No single major disappointment, though I could have made more room for entrepreneurial opportunities for myself

Hope for the Future: That business leaders unite to invest in young people, as South Africa’s future depends on today’s youth

Favourite Reading: The Goal by Eliyahu M Goldratt

Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch a lot of TV

Favourite Food/Drink: A good braai with family and friends, especially a good steak, braai broodjie and a cold beer

Favourite Music: Alternative and pop music, but I also listen to other genres and appreciate most types of music

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Playing padel with my family, and golf on occasion

Car: BMW

Pets: Two dogs, a Maltese and a German Shepard, and two cats

Married: To Helen-Anne

Children: Aden, 17; Keira, 17; Lunah, 15