City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
An international executive with a blend of corporate, entrepreneurial and consulting experience, Nick’s career has been focussed on driving change through data and analytics-driven strategies. He has broad experience in the retail credit industry with Capital One and Nedbank where, at different times, he managed personal loans and credit card businesses. Nick subsequently managed an external debt collections agency, NDS Credit Management, where he experienced the challenges facing consumers, credit providers and collectors first hand. An engineer by training, Nick started his career in strategy consulting. He moved to South Africa with Bain after completing his MBA at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Versuro is the brainchild of three veterans of the consumer credit industry. The current credit crisis is not only bad for South Africa’s economy but for its soul as well. Only a community of credit practitioners and credit providers working together can solve it. The credit industry has seen tremendous developments in operational and analytical capabilities. But one fundamental is missing. Relationship : where credit provider understands the context of the borrower and there is a mutual human connection. Versuro sets out to restore that context and connection. It provides real-time decision-making to credit practitioners so they can provide more relevant and appropriate solutions to consumers.
Co-founded Sebenzana Consulting, an engineering consulting company focussed on the energy sector in Southern Africa. As a non-executive director, guided Sebenzana from concept stage through to employing ±30 consultants with a wide range of blue-chip industrial clients. Sebenzana has become a highly respected niche consulting company with clients including Eskom, Sasol, Sappi, Kelvin, AEL and Omnia. Based on the needs of clients, a sister company, Industrial Energy Solutions was formed to deliver power generation equipment and solutions as a complement to the independent advice of Sebenzana Consulting. More recently, Embedded Generation has been formed to drive the early stage development of power projects in the region.
Responsible for driving EOH's big/fast data strategy, leveraging in house data, a team of data scientists, a broad array of data capabilities, and data platforms (both commercial and open source). While we focus on delivering solutions based on data insights to clients, we can also assist clients with their big/fast data infrastructure.
Led the acquisition of the call centre debt collection arm of an established attorney practice and subsequently managed the business through some turbulent years in the collection industry with significant regulatory change, a relatively poor economic climate and significant contraction in outsourced collections work from the banking sector. Sold the business in mid 2017. Established a market entry strategy for the collections industry and acquired NDS after evaluating multiple acquisition opportunities. Developed the client base to include all major banks, several blue chip retailers, cell phone providers, the SABC and most recently, SARS. Managed the business through a period of turbulence in the years following the financial crisis. Broadened the client base to replace contracting portfolios and diversify the income stream. Developed the use of analytics and information-based strategies. Focussed on operational productivity improvements and cost efficiencies. Established a value proposition for the business based on the combination of a top notch operational platform overlaid with analytics and agent training. Managed the business through a re-branding exercise as well as a consolidation from multiple small sites to a single call centre location (of around 300 available seats).
Appointed to head the Retail Card Issuing business with general management and full P&L accountability for retail business of ~R3bn and direct accountability for sales, marketing, credit risk and product development across the entire portfolio of products (credit, charge, debit and private label cards across Amex, Visa and MasterCard).
General Manager, American Express Cards, Capital One Nedcor Alliance, SA (2004) Led the business into its first profitable year, substantially beating budget.