Issue 6 2024 Artur Bounegra: An Influential Leader in Wealth Management Based in London, Artvera Private Wealth Management (APWM) is an independent wealth management boutique, providing alternative investment management, comprehensive wealth planning solutions, and corporate advisory services to high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and private businesses. Artur Bounegra, Founding Partner and CEO, leverages his extensive financial experience to lead the company and for his efforts, he has been honoured as this year’s Most Influential CEO 2024 - UK (Investment Management).
Welcome to the June 2024 issue of CEO Monthly. As always, CEO Monthly is dedicated to providing the latest news and features across the business world to our readership. By sharing knowledge, insights, expertise, and success stories from around the globe, we aim to inspire individuals and promote positivity in a world that is in a constant state of evolution. In this issue, we continue to celebrate and learn from the inspiring journeys and groundbreaking achievements of leaders across the globe. We are delighted to feature award-winning CEOs hailing from industries such as insurance, kitchen wrap services, disability support, software design, and more, as we discover their stories of leading through innovation and commitment to creating meaningful impact for their teams and customers. Elsewhere, we explore factors that can help you enhance your own leadership, including how to help your team without micromanaging, owning the AI conversation, and optimising learning and providing progression opportunities within the workplace. We hope you find this issue to be insightful and thought-provoking, and that it empowers you to steer your own organisation towards greater heights. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for our July issue. Rebecca Scotland, Editor Website: www.ceo-review.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. News 7. Artur Bounegra: An Influential Leader in Wealth Management 8. Thought Leadership in Digital Transformation 10. Your Architectural Wrap Partner 11. Changing the Disability Narrative 12. Proven Payment Solutions Pioneer 13. Your Employees Are Busier Than You Think: We Need To Optimise Learning 14. Taking Social Insurance Seriously 15. How To Help Your Team Without Micromanaging 16. Why Human Capital Leaders Need To Own The AI Conversation Contents
NEWS Bitget Appoints Gracy Chen as CEO
CJ 4DPLEX, the world’s leading producer of premium film formats and cinema technologies, announced that it has appointed CJ Entertainment & Media (CJ ENM) executive Joon Beom Sim as CEO. Sim most recently served as the Head of CJ ENM’s Music Content Division overseeing the overall management of the music business, broadcast Mnet, live events and the fandom platform Mnet Plus. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, CJ 4DPLEX operates revolutionary film technologies for theaters worldwide including the multi-sensory 4DX format and the panoramic ScreenX format. Sim has been a part of the CJ Group’s many dynamic subsidiaries since 2005. Prior to heading CJ ENM’s Music Content Business Division, he most recently served as CJ CGV’s Head of Domestic Business, managing domestic CGV theater operations and development, distribution of alternative content, as well as CJ CGV’s Vietnam CEO from 2017-2020, overseeing operations and development, and film investment and distribution. Before becoming CJ CGV Vietnam CEO, Sim served as the CFO for CJ CGV Vietnam responsible for the overall management of finance, human resources, and administration for CGV Vietnam. 4DX pushes the conventional boundaries of cinema by offering a multi-sensory experience, integrating motion-based seating synchronized with over 21 distinct effects. Through motion, vibration, water, wind, snow, lightning, scents, and various other special effects, 4DX’s state-of-the-art technology immerses audiences into the action of the film through these effectsenhancing features. To date, there are over 745 4DX auditoriums around the world, spanning over 70 countries. As the world’s first multi-projection cinema, ScreenX is a cuttingedge cinematic technology that expands specially selected sequences of the film onto the left-and-right-side walls of the auditorium. The 270-degree field of view creates a virtual realitylike setting with cinema quality resolution. There are over 390 ScreenX auditoriums around the world in 40 countries. “In assuming the role of CEO at CJ 4DPLEX, I am thrilled to lead the company into its next chapter of growth and global prominence” stated Joon Beom Sim, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX. “With a rich background in the entertainment landscape under the CJ Group conglomerate, particularly at CJ ENM and CJ CGV, I am deeply honored to spearhead cinema innovation with our premium film formats, 4DX and ScreenX.” Together, we will continue to revolutionize the industry with our groundbreaking cinema technologies ensuring that audiences worldwide are captivated and entertained like never before.” Don Savant, CEO & President, CJ 4DPLEX America, added, “Joon Beom Sim’s appointment as CEO of CJ 4DPLEX marks an exciting milestone for our company. We are honored to welcome him to the team, especially given his extensive and impressive experience with the CJ Group. With his proven track record of success at CJ ENM and CJ CGV, Sim’s leadership will undoubtedly propel CJ 4DPLEX to new heights.” CJ 4DPLEX is part of the CJ Group conglomerate that also includes entertainment powerhouses CJ ENM, who produced the Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and SAG Awards winning film, “Parasite,” and CJ CGV, the fifth largest theater chain in the world. CJ 4DPLEX Names CJ ENM Executive Joon Beom Sim as CEO Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web 3 company announces the appointment of Gracy Chen as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective in May 2024, succeeding Sandra Lou, who will be leaving the platform to pursue her own business goals. With over 10 years of experience in business management, marketing, and investment, Gracy proves herself to be a leading female entrepreneur in the crypto world. Since 2014, as a notable TV host, Gracy found herself increasingly drawn into the dynamic world of blockchain technology, hence, cryptocurrencies through her interactions with knowledgeable guests like Tim Draper. Each interview not only enriched her show but also deepened her fascination with this emerging field. Her growing passion for the subject soon evolved to invest in several crypto startups, including Bitkeep (currently Bitget Wallet), the largest Web 3 multi-chain wallet in Asia. In June 2022, Gracy joined Bitget as its first Managing Director (MD), leading Bitget’s growth strategies as the platform accelerates its global expansion plan. Over the past two years, her exceptional ability to manage and inspire multinational decentralized teams has been instrumental in navigating the fast-paced and highly competitive cryptocurrency landscape. One of her most remarkable achievements was co-leading the strategy that quadrupled Bitget’s user base through partnerships with legendary footballer Leo Messi as well as the establishment of a robust global affiliate network. This solidified Bitget’s position as a top-five crypto exchange and Web 3 platform. “I’m extremely honored to step into the role of CEO at Bitget,” said Gracy Chen. “Over the past six years, with the robust foundation we’ve built and an incredible team by my side, Bitget has transformed into a leading crypto platform. By consistently innovating in product offerings and creating value for our 25 million users, Bitget has risen to become a top 5 futures trading platform and a top 10 spot trading platform. I’m thrilled to continue to be part of shaping this industry that is on the edge of innovation, empowering the future of digital finance. It’s a privilege to lead such a dynamic group and I can’t wait to steer our global expansion to new heights!” Gracy is also advocating for a more diverse and inclusive crypto industry by leading two Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives at Bitget. She spearheaded the launch of the #Blockchain4Youth campaign in May 2023, aiming to drive Web 3 adoption by inspiring the younger generation to embrace crypto and blockchain. The activity partnered with over 50 educational institutions and benefits over 6,000 young talents in just one year. As a key initiator of Bitget’s #Blockchain4Her initiative, her vision for a sustainable future involves integrating inclusivity and gender diversity into the blockchain industry, ensuring females have equal opportunities and representation in this transformative sector. Beyond her responsibilities at Bitget, Gracy is proactively seeking opportunities to contribute to the cryptocurrency field. As a columnist for major publications such as Forbes and Cointelegraph, she has published over 50 articles to introduce blockchain to the public. She is also known as a judge of the first reality crypto TV show Killer Whales, a program co-created by Hollywood producers. The show aims to discover promising Web 3 projects and empower them to make a real-life impact. Her contributions earned her recognition as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum in 2015, and she was elected to the Forbes Business Council in 2023. Gracy holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and an MBA degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
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CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 7 Artur Bounegra: An Influential Leader in Wealth Management Established in 2012, Artvera Private Wealth Management is fully focused on managing clients’ wealth, providing them with a full spectrum of investment opportunities. Its wide range of wealth management services strive to go beyond managing clients’ assets and encompass all financial aspects of clients’ life. APWM offers clients various alternative investment strategies in four major alternative asset classes: private equity, credit, real assets, and hedge funds. The company’s investment philosophy focuses on helping clients achieve their long-term investment goals while assuming the least amount of risks across alternative asset classes. The experienced team takes the time to understand clients’ risk profile and returns’ expectations in order to offer them the most suitable investment strategy for sustainable long-term returns. APWM invests across the world and diversifies its investments across alternative asset classes to maximise returns while minimising risks. Through its wealth planning solutions, APWM helps clients to protect their wealth and preserve it for future generations. APWM’s comprehensive wealth management solutions include financial planning, wealth structuring, tax planning and legal issues, estate planning and business succession planning, fiduciary and trust services. Financial planning is an important part of wealth management and APWM is dedicated to working with clients to analyse their current financial situation and help them identify unnecessary spending. With its in-depth understanding of investments, the company is uniquely positioned to help individuals plan their budget and locate possible savings to achieve their financial goals. The independent company complements its alternative investment management and wealth planning solutions with corporate advisory services for clients with privately held and family companies. Its professional team work as trusted advisors for businesses, providing them with handson guidance as they navigate strategic decisions and important transactions. To fully meet the needs of its clients and their families, APWM also provides lifestyle advisory services on a wide variety of family issues such as international relocation, tax residency and citizenship advisory, education and healthcare advisory, and concierge services worldwide. With over 29 years of experience across banking, investment management, and financial consultancy, Artur Bounegra has held top managerial positions in several renowned banks including banks belonging to large international banking groups such as Raiffeisen Bank and Nordea Bank. He has also had experience working in different boutique hedge funds and investment advisory firms in the USA. As CEO of Artvera Private Wealth Management, Artur is responsible for the company’s strategic management but devotes much of his time to providing clients with boutique wealth management services. Artur has extensive knowledge of macro and microeconomics, financial management, accounting, reporting, and auditing which allows him to navigate challenges in the financial landscape. Artur skilfully leverages his experience in managing investments in emerging markets to advice his clients on a wide range of financial endeavours. In his role, Artur understands the importance of continuous learning and has deepened his knowledge to expand his professional development. In addition to his MBA degree from Duke University, Fuqua School of Business, USA, and his PhD degree in Economics from State University of Management, Russia, Artur has also received numerous professional certifications and qualifications. Among them is a qualification certificate in Brokerage and Dealer Activity from the Federal Financial Markets Service, Russia, and a number of professional certificates from the UK including several from the Senior Managers Certification Regime (SMCR). With his solid working experience and commitment to ongoing education, Artur Bounegra is uniquely positioned to provide his clients with valuable wealth management services to help them secure their financial futures. With a focus on serving clients from emerging markets, APWM provides clients with a wealth of investment opportunities worldwide. Through its wealth planning services, Artur and his experienced team help clients to structure and protect their wealth and to pass it down for future generations. Recognised in this year’s Most Influential CEO Awards, Artur Bounegra uses his expertise to guide clients through financial decisions and help them improve their finances. Under his strategic leadership, APWM has established itself as a trusted leader in wealth management and Artur will continue to help clients navigate the evolving financial landscape. For his inspiring leadership, we have bestowed on Artur Bounegra this year’s award for Most Influential CEO - UK (Investment Management). Contact: Artur Bounegra – Founding Partner and CEO Company: Artvera Private Wealth Management Web Address: www. artverawealth.com Apr24492 Based in London, Artvera Private Wealth Management (APWM) is an independent wealth management boutique, providing alternative investment management, comprehensive wealth planning solutions, and corporate advisory services to high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and private businesses. Artur Bounegra, Founding Partner and CEO, leverages his extensive financial experience to lead the company and for his efforts, he has been honoured as this year’s Most Influential CEO 2024 - UK (Investment Management).
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 8 Thought Leadership in Digital Transformation lchemy Crew acts as an architect, a translator and an educator to esteemed leaders and growth ventures, empowering them to unlock the full potential of open innovation and digital systems. The innovative business validates and de-risks corporate venturing activities and employs structured commercialisation frameworks to help corporations embrace state-of-the-art technologies from growth ventures. Alchemy Crew leverages its extensive global network of tech ventures, data, and AI experts to solve complex problems and turn emerging threats (cybersecurity, AI risks, environmental risks etc.) into opportunities for growth. In the insurance and financial industries, new risks are appearing every day, resulting in significant damage to organisations. Alchemy Crew has developed Virtual Adoption Labs to provide vital expertise, assessing how these risks will affect clients’ operations and the future of their work. By implementing effective business models, Alchemy Crew can help clients to grow and scale their ventures to add measurable value to their business. Sabine VanderLinden, CEO and Venture Partner, says, “We believe in the power of collaboration and building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships. We foster open communication, trust, and transparency in our interactions with corporate clients, startups, investors, and other stakeholders. We take full accountability for delivering on Feb24396 Founded by Sabine VanderLinden, Alchemy Crew is a platform that enables disruptive leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to industralise, commercialise, and de-risk corporate venturing. With unrivalled experience in the insurance industry, the business aims to bridge the adoption gap between corporations and growth ventures using open innovation, design thinking techniques and digital ecosystems. Recognised in this year’s Most Influential CEO Awards, Sabine VanderLinden is a thought leader on a mission to revolutionise the industry through her work at Alchemy Crew Ventures. A our commitments. Growth and impact are the direct results of our efforts, and we own the endto-end process of achieving the desired outcomes for our clients and partners.” Alchemy Crew emphasises responsible innovation and delivers solutions that address multiple current day challenges from cybersecurity and generative AI to climate change and environmental, societal, and public health risks. With its Sustainable Corporate Adoption Labs, the business helps organisations establish and foster an ecosystem-led transition to new digital operating setting or operating models that support emerging technologies. By combining the right data, AI algorithms, and APIs, companies can establish reliable digital operating environments that pave the way for sustainable long-term growth. With over 25 years of insurance experience and gradually acquired skills in corporate innovation, venture capital, and academia, Sabine VanderLinden leverages her expertise to develop digitalisation-led growth strategies for the insurance industry. She helps seasoned players and emerging startups as well as more established players navigate digital transformation and detect new opportunities. In 2014/2015, VanderLinden was one of the few first to identify InsurTech as a growth market after discovering how financial technology innovation could shape the future of FinTech. In her multifaceted role, VanderLinden evaluates, sources, and eases engagement with promising growth ventures on a global scale. She has accelerated over 150+ ventures and facilitated numerous pilot projects between startups and financial institutions. After completing her MBA, Sabine VanderLinden joined IBM UK in 2000, where she focused on identifying and recommending technology to overcome large organisations’ efficiencies and value creation challenges. VanderLinden then became the CEO and Managing Director of Startupbootcamp InsurTech in Europe and in Hartford Connecticut, a leading accelerator passionate about insurance innovation. In this position, she worked with over 30 corporate insurers and accelerated over 100 startup ventures. As a thought leader, ecosystem builder, and tech ambassador, she authored and co-edited ‘The INSURTECH Book’ where she shares knowledge and best practices on insurance technology alongside other well-known experts. Building on her impressive experience, VanderLinden became the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew, where she continues to guide her team in building white label and bespoke Tech accelerators and scaleup programs while activating and amplifying each programme’s brand awareness. Sabine VanderLinden says, “At Alchemy Crew, we foster a culture of transparency, ownership, accountability, collaboration, and inclusivity. We believe that diverse teams perform better when collaborating together, and we are committed to making Alchemy Crew an equitable and inclusive place to work. I play an active role in maintaining this culture by leading by example and ensuring that our values are reflected in all aspects of our work. By maintaining an enjoyable and driven working environment while supporting our staff’s wellbeing, we position ourselves to deliver exceptional results for our clients and drive positive change in our industry.” Since the pandemic, digitalisation has rapidly evolved in all business ecosystems including the insurance industry. As an Insurance and Technology Leader, Sabine VanderLinden quickly identified the need for a venture commercialisation lab to support insurers with their digital challenges. Alchemy Crew utilises new technologies, such as cloud, IoT, AI, and Generative AI, to provide clients with significant opportunities to monitor and price risks more efficiently. Leveraging her many years of expertise, VanderLinden creates digital environments that facilitate collaboration and partnership agreements between insurers and startups, advancing the adoption of innovative solutions. The acceleration of digitalisation has opened the door to risks as more people transition to remote working and AI becomes more widely used. Alchemy Crew works with insurers to help them develop solutions to address new and changing emerging risks, turning threats into
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 9 opportunities. The business is committed to helping established players and emerging tech businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age, form mutually beneficial partnerships, and implement best practices into their operations. Additionally, Sabine VanderLinden is passionate about nurturing new female talent and the next generation of diverse InsurTech leaders. She says, “Through initiatives like the Startupbootcamp InsurTech accelerator, I have had the privilege of supporting and accelerating the growth of over 100 startup ventures, 20% of these were female founded startups. I continue on that path. We have scouted over 55,000 over the past years and accelerated another 50 growth ventures over the past four years. And seeing these founders succeed and drive innovation in the industry has been immensely rewarding.” Looking to the future, Alchemy Crew has plans to enhance its acceleration as a service model to help existing players build more effective startups and scaleup adoption programs. Each program is tailored to suit the local market, the partners involved with the programme, and the companies’ stage of maturity. Alchemy Crew also intends to move much of its assets online. The advancement of edtech enables the business to share expertise acquired through 25 years in the industry and 10 years developing corporatestartup growth programs. Moving forward, Sabine VanderLinden will continue to focus on facilitating communication through digital ecosystems and helping clients overcome their digital transformation challenges leveraging corporate venturing techniques. Alchemy Crew currently works with businesses across Asia, Europe, and the USA but has plans to expand its footprint to new markets and drive innovation on a global scale. As a thought leader, VanderLinden understands the importance of remaining at the forefront of emerging technologies and will invest further in areas like AI, Big Data, IoT, Cloud, and Quantum to explore how these technologies can create value for insurers. Furthermore, VanderLinden will continue to build on Alchemy Crew’s success by supporting new partners that reach out from institutional venture funds and corporate venture funds focused on specific themes or geographies. Within any ecosystem-led environment, these funds are vital to support the most promising startups with innovation in essential areas such as climate risk, cyber insurance, and health tech. “All those are critical to make it more affordable to address the current protection gap.” As the business continues to grow, Sabine VanderLinden is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of diverse leaders in Alchemy Crew and the wider Insurance Technology sector. She is passionate about being a voice for the industry, acting as a tech ambassador for BigTech, medium tech and small tech to facilitate collaboration between large incumbent corporations and growth ventures. Spearheaded by VanderLinden, Alchemy Crew strives to raise awareness and educate clients on how best to use emerging technologies to add value to their businesses. For her transformation-driven thought leadership, we have bestowed on Sabine VanderLinden this year’s award for Most Influential CEO - Central London (Insurance Corporate Ventures). We cannot wait to see what the future holds for VanderLinden and Alchemy Crew on its mission to inspire technological innovation in the insurance industry. Contact Details Contact: Sabine VanderLinden Company: Alchemy Crew Web Address: https:// alchemycrew.com/ Work is in the City of London near Lloyds on London which is where insurers are located.
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 10 ince 2012, Daryl’s kitchen wrap services as a sustainable company have revolutionised the kitchen renovation industry, influencing a nation of entrepreneurs to follow his example and join this developing sector. Daryl pioneered selftaught interior wrap installation techniques that have solidified in a foundation of industry standards used worldwide to this day, with his own description of his service being “the finished application of interior wrap should be indistinguishable to the look and feel of a brand-new kitchen. This will be the measure of a successful installation”. In his investment and extensive research and development of materials, tools, machinery, processes, and systems, he has positioned himself as an unparalleled expert in his field synonymous with kitchen wrapping and architectural interior wrap renovation, being frequently called upon as the go-to consult with professionals in his sector. Daryl has led his group of companies to success, with this including Kitchen Wrap Co., providing the UK’s highest rated residential and commercial installations across central Scotland; Wrap Co. Pro Training Hub, welcoming people all over the world for unique, on-site, experience-led training programmes within its tailor-made facilities; and Wrap Co. Trade, supplying interior wrap trade professionals and their customers with architectural and interior wrap materials, made to measure fabrication, tools, and accessories via its local trade counter, and via national delivery through a brand-new ecommerce site. From the beginning, Daryl’s mission for growth was simple: “stick to the core values”, some of which being “keep exploring low-cost alternatives for customer’s renovation needs”, “consistently deliver exceptional quality”, “exercise outstanding customer service”, and “exhibit adaptability and accountability”. His continued mantra “if it’s not right, it’s not right” has echoed across all aspects of his company, from the day-to-day operations and work culture to the external perceptions of being told his company was the ambition of many in and outside his sector. The company’s reputation and the performance and development of each member of the entire team are accolades Daryl values above all his own personal achievements. Having committed himself to nourishing both equally over a 10-year period. He takes immense pride in every company milestone and encourages his team to celebrate alongside him. He states that his highest cherished milestones are “most reviewed and highest reviewed on Your Architectural Wrap Partner Daryl Harris, recipient of Most Influential CEO 2024 Scotland (Architectural Solutions), is the CEO and Founder behind Wrap Co. Group Ltd, which houses the UK’s first and leading interior wrap renovation company, Kitchen Wrap Co., along with Wrap Co. Pro Training Hub and Wrap Co. Trade. With a passion for detail, innovation, and dedication to customer satisfaction, Daryl has provided costeffective alternatives through architectural interior wrap materials. Pioneering his unique business model, he facilitates a breath of new life into existing spaces at up to 80% less than the current traditional renovation methods, while promoting and growing a brand-new sector. every platform in my sector”, “ first six-figure company in my sector”, “first seven-figure company in my sector”, “most award-winning company in my sector”, “third member of staff with five years’ service”, and “over 2,500 successful installations since 2018”. Reaching a milestone in his personal life having recently welcomed his first child to the world, he has expressed his goals for the future are unwavering and has a refreshed determination to progress his full vision for the company. What Daryl had to say when being told he was recognised as a recipient of the title, Most Influential CEO 2024 Scotland (Architectural Solutions) Daryl said, “Wow, seriously, that’s amazing for us. That’s the hard work and determination starting to show through. Definitely among my top personal achievements since starting my business. To be officially recognised as the most influential CEO in a sector I have dedicated the last 10 years of my life to developing is an amazing personal triumph.” Daryl reflects, “It has been a whirlwind of continuous learning through mistakes. I dedicated the last 10 years of life to my passion and vision. Now, at 37, settled with my first child, as I look back over the last decade, and how it’s flown by, I remember every detail vividly. Dedication, stamina, resilience, and experience were all strengths gathered and honed through time, yet still not fully mastered. But my passion and vision were there from the beginning. Without them, I doubt I would have endured the less enjoyable times. “I’ve steered my company to success, and the transition from entrepreneur to CEO was a steep learning curve. But without that transformation, our growth would have been stifled. It’s essential to stand by your convictions. I’ve been fortunate to recruit people who share my passion and vision for the company’s future. With the birth of my beautiful baby daughter, I feel reinvigorated and freshly motivated, ready to steer the company to even greater success.” S Company: Wrap Co. Contact: Daryl Harris Website: wrapcogroup.com
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 11 Changing the Disability Narrative BET Group Global is an award-winning family business dedicated to providing accessible housing and tailored support services for individuals living with disabilities. Spearheaded by CEO Emily Korir, BET Group is committed to transforming the lives of people with disabilities and empowering them to live independently within supportive communities. For Emily’s strategic leadership, she has been honoured at our awards as Most Influential CEO – Australia (Disability Support). After experiencing a stroke in 2012, Emily began her recovery, supported by her loving family, and prepared to return home from rehabilitation. Emily’s family quickly discovered the significant obstacle of a lack of accessible housing. This personal struggle fuelled Emily’s determination to make a difference and BET Group was born. Emily envisioned a partnership dedicated to delivering elegant, accessible residences in inclusive communities where individuals could feel truly valued. Today, BET has fostered a strong team of over 300 experienced professionals, passionate about providing exceptional care and support. The team is inspired everyday to develop innovative solutions that address the evolving needs and goals of its participants. Through state-of-the-art technology, creative strategies, and customised solutions, BET Group strives to make a meaningful difference in the realm of specialist disability accommodation. With its client-centric approach, BET Group aims to build strong relationships with its participants based on trust, transparency, and open communication. By taking the time to understand clients’ individual needs and goals, the team can ensure it provides housing and support that aligns with the best interests of every participant, their families, and support networks. Excellence resides at the heart of BET’s vision. Whether its providing world-class customer service, creating first-rate stylish housing and services, or achieving exceptional results, BET Group is committed to manifesting excellence across every aspect of its business. As CEO, Emily strives to drive organisational success and positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and the broader community. Her multifaceted role involves shaping BET’s mission, purpose, strategy, and culture, while maintaining excellence and compliance with regulatory standards. She ensures operational excellence across all aspects of the organisation from service delivery and program management to quality assurance and compliance. By implementing robust systems, policies, and procedures, Emily guarantees that BET Group continues to safeguard the wellbeing and rights of individuals with disabilities and foster a culture of capacity building and independence. As the leader of BET Group, Emily actively engages with stakeholders and establishes collaborative relationships with individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers, advocacy groups, government agencies, and community players. Through these partnerships, Emily ensures that BET continues to advocate for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities and leverage feedback to meet their diverse needs and preferences. Emily is passionate about empowering every individual to live a fulfilling life, exercise their rights, and achieve their goals. She is guided by her objective to change the narrative with compassion, empathy, and respect, so that individuals with disabilities are able to live their best lives. On her leadership style, Emily Korir says, “I approach leading my team with a combination of empathy, inclusivity, strategic vision, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth. I bring a deep sense of empathy and understanding to all my interactions with my team. I recognise the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy in navigating challenges and achieving success, and I strive to instil these values in my team members. I lead by example, I inspire and mentor my team to excel, and I truly challenge myself to create a positive and supportive work environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to BET’s success.” As a NDIS provider (National Disability Insurance Scheme), BET has had to overcome a range of industry challenges such as frequent changes in NDIS processes, the growing demand for NDIS services, and employee recruitment. To navigate these challenges, BET is dedicated to recruiting qualified staff and investing in continuous training to consistently deliver its high-quality NDIS services. Additionally, BET Group regularly assesses its service capacity and is committed to exploring opportunities to expand its offerings. Over the coming year, BET Group is excited to embark on several ambitious projects including the development of accessible apartments in regional Australia. These apartments will form part of a vibrant hub for young people with disabilities with a café downstairs where participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience. This project embodies BET’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence and Emily’s vision for a more inclusive and equitable society. Moving forward, Emily’s own plans will focus on empowering and supporting women in business and leadership roles through networking, mentorship, and advocacy for gender equality. Recognised in this year’s Most Influential CEO Awards, Emily Korir is passionate about changing the narrative for people with disabilities by empowering them to live well and thrive. Contact: Emily Korir Company: BET Group Global Pty Ltd Web Address: www. betgroupglobal.com.au Apr24066
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 12 Known within his company for being a dynamic leader with an infectious personality, Christo Van Der Merwe’s knowledge of design, development, deployment, and management regarding financial technology solutions is unmatched in this sphere, bolstered by a near spotless track record of undertaking a number of successful ventures and spearheading countless career-defining campaigns. Famed for his affinity with innovation, Christo has spent almost 25 years excelling in the field of payment solutions. Across his duties as CEO of one of South Africa’s premier payment technology and service providers, Christo recognises the paramount importance of motivating staff Christo Van Der Merwe is the CEO of PayPoint, a technology- and service-based company that provides a variety of 24-hour payment solutions to the likes of financial institutions, retailers, and mobile network operators, to name just a few. Named as the Most Influential CEO 2024 - South Africa (Software Design Development & Integration), Christo has been with the business right from day one in 2007, and over the course of his tenure, he has taken the business to great heights, all whilst honing his leadership skills and legend status within the country’s fintech market. and equipping them with the tools necessary to succeed. Sound in the knowledge that his team are the business’ primary asset, he works hard to nurture a working environment that is equal parts diverse, professional, and loyal. Through this, Christo has been able to refine the calibre of service and the quality of products that PayPoint delivers to its international client base. Many of the groundbreaking offerings that Christo is responsible for have been adopted by blue-chip companies around the world, with a significant number of these still in operation today, showcasing their robust nature and longevity in a market that has undergone significant advancements over the past number of years. This feat highlights Christo’s unique mindset, something that he has been leveraging for more than two decades to design and build solutions that penetrate the very markets he is seeking to target. PayPoint’s portfolio is of course the best example of Christo’s ability, with the company offering a range of exciting products, such as its Android Payment Software and Hardware, SoftPOS for Mobile Phones, Mini-ATM or SSD- ATM and various Back Office Management Systems supporting Financial Acquiring, Recon and Settlement transitions on multiple international payment Estates and deployments. Examples of Christo’s trendsetting work do not end here, as this CEO was one of the first people to achieve VISA and MasterCard certification for the tap on glass payment technology he deployed for a major international mobile operator. Christo was also responsible for having pioneered the transition from post-pay to pre-paid electricity tokens via electronic terminals for those purchasing electricity in their local neighbourhoods. Moreover, Christo leveraged mobile technology to offer financial aid to disadvantaged communities across Africa, allowing recipients of this aid to withdraw the provided cash from local ATMs. Beyond revolutionising payment solutions across Africa and fostering a textbook internal culture, Christo also shines when it comes to synchronising the various departments that make up his enterprise and feed into the wider fintech ecosystem. From integrating new systems to optimising processes and managing human resources, Christo’s approach to management is certainly hands on, and underpinned by the prompt addressing of any issues through a meticulous process of monitoring and management. With the help of a simple dashboard that he uses to track both the status and stability of all of the projects he and his team are working on at any one time, Christo thrives on competition and always strives to maintain the highest of standards across his operation. It is this endless pursuit of a competitive advantage that has seen PayPoint continue to ascend the ranks for 17 years now, and Christo is today celebrated by his organisation and its stakeholders as a visionary leader capable of sustaining robust partnerships and fruitful revenue streams. To summarise, with the storied CEO Christo Van Der Merwe at the helm, PayPoint continues to offer a thorough range of products and services to the likes of banks, agencies, and the SME market, affording them fully tailored, next-generation payment services that answer the call for tailored, costeffective solutions. Contact: Christo Van Der Merwe Company: PayPoint Web Address: https://paypoint.co.za/ Proven Payment Solutions Pioneer
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 13 Your Employees Are Busier Than You Think: We Need To Optimise Learning In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, time is precious. Managing our time and getting the best use out of it is an issue we all face day-to-day, whether you are a global CEO, employee or student. Harvard Business School researchers found that many people nowadays feel persistently “time poor” – having too many things to do and not enough time to do them. Despite this, growth remains a top priority for professionals, with (76%) of employees looking for opportunities to advance their careers. Therefore, these development opportunities must be flexible to fit around professionals’ increasingly complex schedules and provide real value. As the old saying goes, time is an investment, spend it wisely. We do not want employees to idly spend their time learning; we want them to invest it with purpose. And to achieve that, we need to optimise the learning process. Employee learning pays dividends Employee learning should not be seen as a luxury but vital in driving a successful business, shaping best practices and building confidence and skills among the workforce. When employees are empowered to enhance their abilities, their engagement skyrockets. The reason for this is simple: humans have a psychological need to learn and grow. Gallup has found that a key factor in creating a highperformance workplace is through a high-development culture. Organisations that strategically invest in employee development report 11% greater profitability and are twice as likely to retain team members. Among these sought-after skills, proficiency in English stands out as a crucial asset for career progression and economic empowerment. The Economist Intelligence Unit found that 70% of executives from non-English speaking countries believe that English skills are essential for career advancement. In an everconnected world, English is a vital skill worth investing in. Time is money We all have responsibilities to balance with work commitments, whether it is doing the school run or caring for a relative. Learning programmes need to be optimised to ensure effective results without being overly time-consuming. One way to do this is through micro-learning which involves 10-15 minutes of learning in bites. This helps busy professionals fit education into their schedules and provides benefits such as improved knowledge retention due to the breakdown of content into smaller sections. Keeping sessions easily digestible encourages employees to make it a habit they keep up with little and often. With technologies like AI, students can automate mundane activities such as scheduling meetings, saving time and effort. Additionally, AI tools can provide instant feedback on performance or questions, helping them quickly identify improvement areas, and making the learning journey as convenient as possible. Introduce personalised and experiential learning To see the value additional training and development has, employees need it to have relevance to their daily roles and challenges. Experiential learning – or ‘learn by doing’ – brings what they are absorbing to life, ensuring a greater impact. Personalised learning is also vital in keeping employees engaged. At Wall Street English, our students track monthly progress through an interactive interface supporting them with short and long-term goals. Real-time insights into optimal study rates empower students to tailor their learning experiences to suit their rhythms and needs, fostering a conducive environment for consistent attendance and accelerated progress to achieve their full potential. The benefits of hybrid learning models Hybrid learning – which blends online learning with classroom learning – is now commonplace thanks to EdTech. This learning method offers the best of both worlds, the ability to learn at your own pace while having inperson support and coaching when needed. Hybrid learning is also inclusive and easily accessible wherever you are. On-the-go learning opportunities for employees suit our fast-paced world. For example, mobile-enabled learning is easily accessible during a short break from work or commute home. The ability to align learning with employees’ needs improves their wellbeing, removing pressure and ultimately making them more likely to keep learning as they have control. Leverage productivity and measurement tools With analytics platforms that include measurement tools, employees can easily obtain insights into how well they are performing and what needs improving, which helps them stay on track and focused on their goals. At Wall Street English, despite already having a remarkable 96% success rate, we are always looking for ways to improve our systems, whether enhancing speed, augmenting productivity or increasing flexibility. With the recent introduction of our tool Study Planner, we are empowering students to command their learning journey, track their progress and achieve their full potential. Employee learning is essential in building productive, engaged and high-performance teams. Education benefits both the learner’s ability to adopt new skills and the organisation’s ability to meet complex challenges. As time becomes an increasingly precious commodity, optimising the learning experience is essential for maximum impact. After all, time is an investment and we want to ensure it delivers returns. Oct23629 By James McGowan, CEO at Wall Street English
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 6 2024 14 Boasting a whopping two decades of experience in the bustling world of banking and insurance, as well as a Masters degree in finance, an MBA INSEAD, as well as accreditation as a certified pension fund manager, Ricardo Garcia is an extremely talented CEO who has set his sights on elevating PROMEA Sozialversicherungen to the next level. At present, the collective is renowned for its outstanding quality and client focus, with a recent independent client survey recording a Net Promotor Score of +66. Considering the industry average within the social insurance sphere sits around +20, this statistic already outlines just how invaluable the firm has become over the years. Additionally, under Ricardo’s watch, PROMEA Sozialversicherungen has gone from being one of the least sustainable pension funds to one of Switzerland’s top 10 out of 425 over the course of a single year. As such, PROMEA Sozialversicherungen now stands as one of the most reliable entities of its nature – one that is consistently outperforming a wide array of similar firms. Put simply, PROMEA Sozialversicherungen has improved each and every aspect of its inner workings, all in the hopes that it can reassure clients that their social insurance is in the best possible hands. Of course, this astonishing performance wouldn’t have been remotely possible were it not for the insight of Ricardo Garcia - PROMEA Sozialversicherungen’s brilliant CEO. Driven by a sense of responsibility, and adopting a participative leadership approach that sees him emphasising oral communication with each member of his workforce, Ricardo has managed to develop his team into a cohesive unit that truly works as one. To Taking Social Insurance Seriously Recognised as the leading competence centre for social security issues, PROMEA Sozialversicherungen is a proactive entity whose commitment to ensuring that individuals gain all-encompassing access to optimal security outshines that of its competitors. Regardless of any external factors, the collective leverages its extensive expertise to create an approach that’s distinctly by people for people and highly client centric. Leading the charge is none other than CEO Ricardo Garcia – a man recently presented with the title of Most Influential CEO 2024 – Switzerland (Social Insurance) by CEO Monthly. Join us as we explore how Ricardo has reworked PROMEA Sozialversicherungen into what it is today. Ricardo, maintaining connections with his employees is paramount, leading to a far more interactive method of leadership that promises to support any person at any time. Partner this with Ricardo’s love for actively encouraging his team to input their own opinions, and you’ve got a harmonious collective built on mutual trust and respect. In fact, it’s also due to this very style of leadership that PROMEA Sozialversicherungen has soared to the heights it finds itself at today. Between Ricardo’s commitment to enhancing employee work conditions and honouring their individuality, to upholding his steadfast position as a key link to the collective’s board members, PROMEA Sozialversicherungen has flourished into one of Switzerland’s most distinctive social insurance provider yet. Though he has onboarded a plethora of responsibilities, Ricardo has never once faltered in ensuring that his company remains a healthy organism – one that promises to uplift every voice along the way. Since its inception, CEO Monthly has tirelessly worked to seek out and highlight the leaders who have had the largest impact on their respective industries, and Ricardo Garcia is yet another impeccable example of how to flawlessly achieve such a feat. Widely recognised as a champion of its sphere, PROMEA Sozialversicherungen has flourished under Ricardo’s watch, and it’s for this very reason that we are excited to present him with the title of Most Influential CEO 2024 – Switzerland (Social Insurance). No doubt, the future of PROMEA Sozialversicherungen is filled with promising ventures, and we can’t wait to see how Ricardo embarks on them alongside his talented team. B Contact: Ricardo Garcia Company: PROMEA Sozialversicherungen Web Address: www.promea.ch
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