Full Name: Jennifer Retief
Position: CEO of the Riversands Incubation Hub
Main Activity of the Company: Helping black-owned small businesses to grow and develop
Date and Place of Birth: Johannesburg
Education: MSc (management of technology and innovation), Da Vinci Institute
First Job: Software programmer at Allied Building Society
Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked in software development at the bank and had a stint at Deloitte before starting my own software development company at age 28. I then moved to Hollard as a contract analyst programmer and was the CIO when I left 11 years later. In 2007, after a sabbatical in the US, I started InnoSys, a software company building systems for local and London insurers. BBD now owns most of InnoSys and I am no longer operationally involved
Size of First Pay Packet: R400 a month
First Job with Present Group: When Mark Corbett, CEO of Century Property Developments, first approached me to run the Riversands Incubation Hub, I insisted on doing it as a volunteer only
Value of Assets under Your Control: The Riversands Incubation Hub infrastructure represents over R100-million in value provided by Century Property Developments and the Jobs Fund
Number of People under Your Leadership: 33
Management Style: Collaborative
Personal Best Achievement: I cannot single out a ‘best achievement’ – I hope it is still to come – but highlights include the 8 000 nautical miles I have in my log book as watch captain sailing with my ex in various parts of the world, including Antarctica, and the relationship I have with my daughter
Professional Best Achievement: I hope that, in five years’ time, I will be able to say the contribution that the Riversands Incubation Hub has made to numerous small businesses
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Rob Hallier, the financial director at Hollard, as well as Paolo Cavalieri and Miles Japhet, who were group CEOs
Philosophy of Life: I love the Julia Child quote: “Life itself is the proper binge”
Favourite Reading: I read all kinds of business and human development books, but intermingle these with adventure and travel books
Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch much TV besides international news
Favourite Food/Drink: I am a committed Banter
Favourite Sport: Walking in remote places or nontechnical dirt road cycling; swimming; a bit of tennis; and the occasional round of golf
Hobbies: Playing the piano and handwork like crocheting
Pets: A golden retriever called Harley
Children: Tanille Retief, 28