Full Name: Mikaeel Tayob

Position and Company Name: CFO: Africa and Middle East (AME), Bridgestone

Main Activity of the Company: Bridgestone is a tyre manufacturing and mobility solutions company, providing products and services that support safe, sustainable transportation across the passenger, commercial, and industrial sectors

Date and Place of Birth: March 1988, Johannesburg, South Africa

Schools and Tertiary Education: Crawford College Pretoria, with undergraduate and honours degrees from the University of Pretoria and an MPhil in Corporate Strategy from the Gordon Institute of Business Science

First Job: Working in my father’s accounting practice during school and college holidays, but officially in audit at KPMG Johannesburg

Size of First Pay Packet: R96 000 a year

Career Path to Date: Following a foundation in audit and advisory services, I have built a progressive career in finance and leadership across multinational organisations, including KPMG, Nike and Bridgestone. My experience spans financial management, strategy and operational transformation. I currently serve as CFO for Bridgestone AME, overseeing financial strategy and supporting regional growth initiatives

Value of Assets under Your Control: Regional market capitalisation of about $1.5-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 50-plus within the Finance organisation but I represent more than 2 000 employees as a board director

Management Style: My management style is extremely disruptive and purpose-driven. I’m known for transforming business performance, shaping strategic direction, and building high-performing teams. I love championing finance as a value-creating catalyst rather than a back-office function, enabling sustainable growth, strong governance, and meaningful organisational impact. I’m collaborative and results-driven, with a strong focus on accountability, empowerment, transparency, strategic alignment, and continuous improvement

Personal Best Achievement: Winning the Young CFO of the Year award in 2024 from CFO South Africa

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late father, who, even after his passing, through his example, has me learning lessons about humility, charity and leaving a legacy. Also, my wife of 15 years, who, as a witness to my life, shows me everyday that your character defines who you are, and, through her actions, makes me a better human being each day

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” – Isaac Newton, 1675. Many people shaped my career by allowing me to stand on their shoulders. They took chances on me, believed in my potential, and gave me the space to become who I am – a responsibility I now strive to pay forward. They include Dane Ashe, my first performance partner at KPMG (now PwC); my old friend Anwar Jappie (formerly at Nike, now at Google); former Bridgestone CFO Prinisha Khoosal, who taught me balance in life and gave me the freedom to spread my crazy; current Bridgestone AME president Jacques Fourie, from whom I continue to learn everyday and who has an extraordinary mind for solving problems; and current Bridgestone Core Tire VP Jacques Rikhotso, who exemplifies calm leadership

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Nike co-founder Phil Knight – he survived failures and showed what true resilience is

Philosophy of Life: If you are going to do it, make sure you have a purpose. Then do it first, but do it right

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Becoming a father and taking on a regional CFO role with responsibility across diverse markets, enabling strategic influence at scale

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not trying again to make football a career at the first setback

Hope for the Future: To contribute to building sustainable, future-ready businesses while developing the next generation of leaders, and leaving a legacy where generations can continue to contribute to communities

Favourite TV Programme: I’m a big fan of Harvey Spectre on Suits

Favourite Music: 80’s music – Queen and Supertramp

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Hobbies: Eleven-a-side soccer, padel, golf and travelling

Car: My dream car is a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 but I am happily navigating Joburg in a bright-yellow Mini

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Not trying

Married: To Zaina

Children: Ayaan, 13; Amelia, 8; Alaya, 4

Clubs: Nike Run Club and previously Arcadia Shepherds