Tell us about your company & your role?
Oceana is a leading international fish and food company, driving innovation and growth through diversified operations while promoting sustainable practices. Best known for our iconic brand. Lucky Star, we operate in the South African, Namibian and USA fishing industries, employing over 4000 people globally.
As CEO, my role involves steering the company towards sustainable growth, ensuring we meet our strategic objectives, and maintaining our commitment to environmental stewardship.
What are your main priorities & goals in your role?
My main priority is to drive sustainable growth for all stakeholders. I aim to enhance shareholder value while also contributing positively to the communities we operate in. Unpredictability and volatility are the very nature of a fishing business, and my priority is to try and enhance the controllables and minimise the uncontrollable.
How do you define success & what drives you to succeed?
Success for me is achieving a balance between profitability and sustainability. It’s about creating long-term value for our stakeholders and making a positive impact on society whilst creating an environment that employees thrive in. What drives me is the potential to innovate and lead in an industry that is crucial for food security and economic development.
How do you keep your team motivated?
I believe in fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Regular communication, recognising achievements, and providing opportunities for professional growth are key. I also ensure that our team understands the larger purpose of their work and how it contributes to our overall mission.
What new trends/disruptors are emerging in your industry?
The fishing industry is seeing significant advancements in technology in both vessels and factories. Sustainable wild capture fishes are a finite resource and climate change is definitely having an impact on our Oceans and the Marine resources. We must be adaptable to these changes.
What areas do you think need to be improved to enhance the business environment in Cape Town?
Infrastructure development and streamlined regulatory processes are crucial. Enhancing port facilities and ensuring efficient logistics can significantly boost the local business environment. Government needs to understand that SA fishing companies need to be competitive in the global market and they need to develop policies and structure that allows us to compete effectively, invest at home and grow employment.
What major changes would you like to see in the local business environment?
I would like to see more public-private partnerships aimed at sustainable development.
Are you finding any skills gaps in the market?
Finding skilled officers for our fishing vessels is becoming difficult and we need to invest in Maritime training. Which is what we do via our Oceana Maritime Academy in Hout Bay.
If you could choose to have dinner with four influential South African business or government leaders, who would you choose?
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Rassie Erasmus, and the late Desmond Tutu.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given or would give, in business?
The best advice I’ve received is to stay adaptable, resilient and positive. The business landscape is constantly changing, and the ability to pivot and respond to new challenges is crucial. I would advise others to always keep learning, to lead with integrity and purpose and most important, have fun and enjoy life. We only get one.
