My Brilliant Career: More than ‘beach clean-ups and handing out sandwiches’

Tell me about your role and main duties at work.

I have an exciting role — ultimately, it underpins everything the business does. In a nutshell, I am responsible for sustainability, community and stakeholder engagement and corporate social responsibility at Pick n Pay.

Sustainability is not just about the areas of our business that affect the environment, such as energy, water, waste and packaging. It also entails how we look after our people.

I am responsible for engaging with all stakeholders, from staff and customers to shareholders. My job is to communicate our strategy and see how we can better serve them.

Corporate social responsibility is the heart of our business and an important part of our ethos of “doing good is good business”. I oversee the teams and the incredible work they do in communities across the country every day.

How did you end up doing this job?

I am a lawyer and was Pick n Pay’s group legal adviser for 13 years until I took up this position. I’ve played an active role in our corporate social investment initiatives, especially during lockdown when we launched Feed the Nation.

I am where I am meant to be as this is something I am passionate about.

What do you think makes you good at what you do?

This is a people-facing role and my ability to communicate and collaborate openly and honestly with everyone serves me well. The position also requires you to have a good understanding of the law and relevant regulations.

What would people find surprising about the work you do?

The all-encompassing nature of the role. It is not just beach clean-ups and handing out sandwiches. Critical components of ESG affect our success and extend to the business’s cash flow.

Our ESG strategy is inextricably linked to our business strategy as it helps us reduce costs and increase efficiencies, drive customer loyalty to the brand and increase staff productivity through wellness, for example.

What big mistake at work taught you an important lesson?

Not speaking up timeously resulted in a duplication of work that was a waste of time and money. The lesson learnt was to always communicate. Communication and team inclusivity are key to the successful execution of any task in the workplace.

What is your get-ready-for-work routine?

You will find me every morning — rain or shine — swimming in the icy Atlantic Ocean, followed by a hot coffee. I then go home to shower and check my emails before heading to the office. 

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I have always wanted to work with people and assist in any way. I became a lawyer and equipped myself with legal, technical and regulatory knowledge and, over the years, developed a passion for “people and planet”, as we call it at Pick n Pay.

My legal profession has equipped me for this role, including the ability to interact with numerous stakeholders.

What is your go-to career advice?

Do what you love. Stay focused and stay passionate. The journey might not always be easy, but you will succeed with hard work and consistency. Remember to acknowledge those who helped you along the way, and celebrate successes no matter how small.