Full Name: Shaun Golding

Position and Company Name: CEO of G-Chem Aquacare

Main Activity of the Company: G-Chem Aquacare provides specialised water treatment services, technical expertise, chemical programmes and equipment solutions to industrial clients across South Africa 

Date and Place of Birth: September 13, 1983, Durban

Schools and Tertiary Education: South African College Schools, 1992 to 1996; Diocesan College (Bishop’s), 1997 to 2001; University of Cape Town, Business Science: Finance (Honours), 2002 to 2005

First Job: Client services at Allan Gray

Size of First Pay Packet: R10 000 a month

Career Path to Date: I worked in client services at Allan Gray from 2006 to 2007, before joining Goldman Sachs in London, working for the company from 2008 to 2010. On returning to South Africa in 2010, I joined water treatment company PWM as sales and service technologist in Cape Town, a position I held until my transfer to Gauteng in 2013 as regional manager. I was a founding member of G-Chem Aquarecare in 2016 and served as Western Cape and Eastern Cape district manager, becoming CEO in 2024

Value of Assets under Your Control: More than R100-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 60

Management Style: I am not a traditional command-and-control leader. My leadership style is driven by a clear vision for where the company is going and how we will get there, supported by a leadership team that is aligned, engaged and committed to creating an environment where people can succeed. I believe that people are our greatest asset, and that when they are given clear direction, the right support, opportunities for growth and accountability for results, they are capable of achieving far more than they – or others – may have thought possible 

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Amalia. She has brought more to my life than I could have ever imagined

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My uncle Toni and my father. Their leadership styles, and the people that they are intrinsically, have shaped, and are still shaping, the leader that I am

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: British broadcaster and conservation advocate Sir David Attenborough

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why – not a CEO, but because of what I align to

Philosophy of Life: Discover your purpose and passion in life, and make the most of the opportunities you are given. Be kind to people – you never know what battles they are fighting

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My role as CEO in an organisation I care so much for

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Letting my ego get in the way and not reaching out for help/guidance earlier. This applies to many facets of my life. We need to open up more

Hope for the Future: To build a company that delivers results for our clients, creates opportunities for our people, and positively impacts the families, communities and environment we serve

Favourite Reading: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

Favourite TV Programme: Shrinking

Favourite Food/Drink: Coffee

Favourite Music: Indie-Rock (The National, etc)

Favourite Sport: Trail running, cycling and adventure racing

Hobbies: Baking bread

Car: Ford Ranger

Pets: Shabu, our Cat

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Tardiness

Married: To Amalia Uys