Yershen Pillay
Full Name: Yershen Pillay
Position: CEO of the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA)
Main Activity of the Company: CHIETA is a statutory body that is responsible for education, training and skills development
Date and Place of Birth: July 22, 1983, Pietermaritzburg
Education: BSocSc (Political Science and Economics), University of Cape Town (UCT), 2006; postgraduate diploma in business administration and management, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), 2019; MBA, GIBS, 2020
First Job: Student governance coordinator at UCT
Career History Prior to Current Position: I was the deputy executive chairperson for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), an agency established primarily to tackle challenges facing South Africa’s youth – including poverty, inequality, joblessness and poor health. I then served as executive chairperson from 2013 to 2016. In 2017, I joined the NYDA board, serving until March 2020. I have also served as president of the Pan African Youth Union (2013 to 2015), as a board member for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator, and on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. Since 2018, I have been a board member of the South African Forestry Company and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). From April to November 2020, I was the director of stakeholder management for the Department of Higher Education and Training. This position led organically to my appointment as CEO of CHIETA.
Size of First Pay Packet: R 168 000 per annum
First Job with Present Group: CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: R605-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 94
Management Style: People-centric and innovation-driven. I am also an energiser
Personal Best Achievement: My four-year-old son
Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as the CEO of CHIETA
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Blade Nzimande
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jacinda Ardern
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Muhammad Yunus
Philosophy of Life: Learn, learn, and learn
Biggest Ever Opportunity: To serve our people as CEO of CHIETA
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not spending enough time with my late father
Hope for the Future: Global unity
Favourite Reading: Clayton M Christensen’s How Will You Measure Your Life?
Favourite TV Programme: Vice
Favourite Food/Drink: Italian/green tea
Favourite Music: House
Favourite Sport: Motorsport, Formula One
Favourite Website: www.chieta.org.za
Hobbies: Reading and watching movies with my family
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Slow implementers
Favourite Other South African Company: ACSA
Favourite Foreign Company: Netflix
Married: To Rolene Retrisha Govender, since May 1, 2016
Children: Kaydin Yershen Pillay, 4
Clubs: None