The Team

Armed with a willingness to grow and unfailing integrity, Diaz is here to help develop the Geddes’ internal systems. He looks at his work as a game; a puzzle waiting to be cracked with answers and solutions around every corner.

“Everyday can’t be the best day, do what you can right now.”

My mission as a developer is to innovate our systems to support all parts of business efficiently and effectively. I do this through a process of iteration and automation. One of the things I love about my job is that I have the freedom to create and expand my knowledge base. Geddes has given me a space to learn and succeed continuously and I know I have the support of the entire team in doing so.

My previous work as a consultant in the financial sector gave me a third-party perspective into the serious nature of working with money as a fundamental part of the business and not just a means to an end.

When I was little I wanted to be… An Architect

My superhero is… My mom…. or Wolverine (first comic book I ever got)

My favourite movie is… Ironman (the first one: “…He was able to build this in a cave! …With a box of scraps!”)

My favourite song is… Through the Fire and the Flames by **Dragon Force

What’s something you failed at and learnt a lesson?

I failed to launch a product of my own making. I learned there are no shortcuts to success.

What’s something you succeeded at that you’re proud of?

I don’t think there is one thing… Every day I am challenged by the world to solve problems, personal and professional. My proudest moments (of success) are when a failure is turned into a learning opportunity, a relationship is made stronger, and another day is conquered.

Faye brings a wealth of marketing knowledge to the Geddes team. She’s the voice you hear when you give us a call and the brains behind the communications we put out into the world. Her background in marketing means she is able to build good working relationships with clients and people, either telephonically, in-person or online.

Lots of hats and a friendly face

Every day at Geddes is different for me. This is because my role involves wearing lots of hats — I manage the office and make sure my colleagues are enjoying Geddes and I also act as the first touch point for clients, ensuring that they too are enjoying Geddes. I’m also a marketing assistant making our brand and story shine on all public platforms.

My mission is making sure that the clients receive the best customer service and interaction with the business. Whether we can help them or not, I hope they walk away feeling like they had a good experience with Geddes.

SMEs play a vital role in our economy as drivers for reducing unemployment and supporting them not only contributes to stimulating the economy but also gives hope to the youth who are the future of this country.

Get to know Faye

• When I was little, I wanted to be an…
  Actress.
• My theme song is…
  Tems – Free Mind.
• My favourite movie is…
  Papillon, it can look like a serious movie but if you really think about it, it’s a beautiful movie about friendship.
• My Superhero is…
  My grandmother.
• What’s something you failed at and learnt a lesson?
  I think there are often times when I take on more than I can manage and I’ve learned that that can actually make things worse or slow things down. So I’ve learned that it is okay to say no or ask for help when I don’t have the capacity.
• What’s something you succeeded at that you’re proud of?
  I feel proud when someone tells me that they had a good time interacting with me. Because my passion is people, I try to present the best version of myself to everyone I meet so they feel comfortable around me.

Granville creates tailor-made and time-effective solutions for our clients. He is driven by obtaining the best possible outcome for our clients and believes that it is important to know each client on an individual level to understand their specific business needs and goals. This is how he ensures that the budding potential for an SME never goes overlooked.

Tailor-made and time-effective SME solutions

My mission at Geddes is playing a role in the growth of the company by creating tailor-made and time-effective solutions for our clients. I believe it is important to know your client on an individual level to understand their specific business needs and goals. This in my opinion plays an important role to ensure that SMEs with budding potential are not overlooked.

Having previously worked at a traditional law firm, I am driven by obtaining the best possible outcome for our clients. Law has also provided me with the opportunity to engage with interesting people from all different spheres of business. The thing I love most about my job is the variety of work and working with a team of go-getters.

Get to know Granville

• When I was little I wanted to be a…
  A winemaker.
• My theme song is…
  AC/DC Thunderstruck.
• What’s something you failed at and learnt a lesson?
  I think the fear of failure will often prevent you from achieving your full potential. Overcoming that fear is probably the most important thing for me.
• What’s something you succeeded at that you’re proud of?
  I’m proud of myself for persevering and getting my name on the roll of admitted attorneys in South Africa.

At Geddes, my mission is to empower South African clients by providing clients with tailored financial services and solutions that drive growth.

What would you say is your mission at Geddes?

At Geddes, my mission is to empower South African clients by providing clients with tailored financial services and solutions that drive growth.

What do you love most about your job?

I enjoy interacting with people, building relationships and being a source of help.

What would you say is the most important thing to keep in mind when supporting South African SMEs with financial services?

The most important thing to keep in mind when supporting South African SMEs with financial services is understanding their unique challenges, needs, and aspirations this ensures that we provide effective support for their growth and success.

What past work experience do you have that directly impacts or prepares you for your work at Geddes and how?

My previous experience in customer service within Retail Banking and Foreign Exchange has equipped me with a deep understanding of client relations, and the importance of personalised service. Working directly with clients in these sectors honed my ability to identify their needs, communicate effectively, and deliver solutions that align with their objectives. This background directly prepares me to provide strategic and effective financial services at Geddes, ensuring that our clients receive the support and guidance required.

Why do you do what you do?

I am passionate about providing clients with the financial tools and support they need, as I enjoy the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

When you were little, you wanted to be a…

When I was little, I wanted to be a teacher, inspired by the idea of shaping young minds, fostering learning, and making a positive impact on future generations.

Your theme song/movie/mantra/superhero is…

My mantra is “Adapt and Succeed.” I believe the ultimate reward of success comes from embracing change and pushing boundaries.

What’s something you failed at and learnt a lesson?

One significant challenge I faced was breaking into the Banking Sector employment market. Despite encountering initial obstacles, I persevered with determination and resilience, continuously refining my skills and networking within the industry. This experience taught me the importance of persistence, it reinforced my belief in the power of resilience and unwavering dedication to achieving my goals.

What’s something you succeeded at that you’re proud of?

One of my most inspiring achievements was fostering exponential growth in customer service and financial solutions during my tenure in the Financial Industry. Through unwavering dedication and a relentless commitment to exceeding client expectations, I spearheaded initiatives that not only elevated service standards but also resulted in substantial improvements in customer satisfaction and retention.

Nikki is committed to making a positive impact within the team, and feels inspired by the diverse portfolio of clients she gets to work with every day at Geddes. Her mission is to safeguard the interests of both our clients and the Geddes group.

To do a good job, connecting with the client is crucial

While supporting South African SMEs with financial services, it’s crucial to connect with them on a personal level and understand the unique challenges they face in their day-to-day business operations. By approaching the support of SMEs with a personal touch, we can establish meaningful connections, tailor solutions to their needs, and ultimately contribute to their growth and success in a more impactful way.

My past experience not only working for a regulator but also working for regulated entities, enables me to understand the necessity and thought behind legislation and regulations, the risks to which a regulated entity is exposed, and how to mitigate against those risks. My experience in client services taught me that every client is unique and should be treated as such.

My favourite thing about my role at Geddes is the opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative environment, where I am surrounded by colleagues from whom I learn something new every day.

When I was little I wanted to be a… Ballerina.

My mantra is…“Be yourself, everyone else is taken”.

What’s something you failed at and learnt a lesson? Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone to success. Every setback is a setup for a comeback.

What’s something you succeeded at that you’re proud of? My family… Through everything my husband and children are what I am most proud of.

With a business rescue background and a passion for providing more opportunities to more South African SMEs, Ricky’s mission is to help Geddes grow bigger and become more able to provide funding opportunities to a larger pool of South African businesses.

Ricky to the Rescue

My background in the business rescue space has shown me first-hand what can happen when things go wrong for an SME. Luckily, I also learnt how to mitigate these risks so small businesses can live to fight another day.

I’m the first point of contact for clients who are enquiring about a potential business funding opportunity with us. I am motivated to help lift more South Africans out of poverty. Access to finance is one area that I believe holds back a lot of South African businesses from growing and employing more people. This is something that motivates my work at Geddes.

Get to know Ricky

• When I was little I wanted to be a…
  Detective. That never transpired, but you could say my role — investigating businesses — makes me the Sherlock Holmes of Geddes Capital.
• My theme song is…
  You Only Live Once by the Strokes
• What’s something you failed at and learnt a lesson?
  I thought I had found my dream job, and I didn’t get it… life had other plans for me. I took a job that forced me to adapt and grow and opened just enough doors to get me to where I am today. This taught me that when you look past the disappointment of failure, there is almost always some other opportunity that springs from it. My biggest phases of personal growth have always come after failure, not success.
• What’s something you succeeded at that you’re proud of?
  I co-contributed to the South African chapter of a book to be published by INSOL International which is on ESG in Restructuring. I am proud that we reached the publication deadline despite having various other work commitments.

Shawn adds positive energy and a strong work ethic to the Geddes team. He graduated from CPUT and holds a qualification in Credit Management as well as a Bookkeeping Certificate. He enjoys work related to the factoring industry. It keeps his mind constantly active and brings excitement to his day-to-day activities.

Not-So-Risky Business

Number crunching, spreadsheets, and customer relations define most of my day. With over 20 years of experience in the field of credit control and finance, I’ve learnt how to keep the risks for SMEs at bay. Finance targets aside, my focus is on overall customer satisfaction and creating fruitful relationships with stakeholders within the business.

For me, the most important thing to keep in mind would be the risks associated with granting credit to the South African SME market. In our current state of economy, many third-party factors affect smaller enterprises. These businesses can and should be properly protected from risk. That’s where I come in.

Get to know Shawn

• When I was little, I wanted to be a…
  part of the Navy and serve my country.
• My theme song is…
  Bob Marley’s “When the Rain Falls”.
• My favourite series is…
  Breaking Bad.
• My Superhero is…
  Nelson Mandela.
• What’s something you failed at and learnt a lesson?
  I failed in lots of things throughout my life journey, but the failures made me a stronger person. With every failure comes a lesson. As the saying goes, you need to fall before you can walk.
• What’s something you succeeded at that you’re proud of?
  Nothing specific, but what I can say is that I’m proud of where I am.