The dynamic nature of the technology sector demands leaders who are flexible, open to embracing change, and skilled at bringing innovative ideas to fruition. Recognizing the importance of these attributes, ETS Group has appointed Dennis Naidoo as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Zandi Mbele, the company’s chairperson and former CEO, emphasized the critical criteria that guided the search for the new business leader. She identified strategic vision, operational excellence, and a genuine passion for people as the essential qualities needed for the CEO role. Mbele is confident that Naidoo possesses these qualities in abundance, along with a wealth of experience in guiding both entrepreneurial ventures and multinational corporations across Africa and beyond. She believes that Naidoo’s diverse background equips him to propel ETS Group to greater success.
Mbele further explained that ETS Group, being on the cusp of growth, requires a visionary leader with a strategic mindset, someone who excels at working with and understanding people, as the company’s services are fundamentally people-centric. She stressed that integrity and adherence to the highest ethical standards are the foundation of all these qualities.
Dennis Naidoo himself shared his perspective on what constitutes an effective CEO, highlighting the need for extensive experience across various business environments. He pointed out that to lead successfully in the IT sector, a comprehensive view is necessary, encompassing everything from infrastructure and data centers to cloud environments, as well as a grasp of both the integration and applications layers of a business.
ETS Group has a longstanding relationship with Oracle infrastructure and is recognized as one of the few Oracle Managed and Field Delivery Partners, a distinction that demands the retention of top-tier skills within the country. ETS has also executed Oracle projects throughout Africa. Naidoo noted that strategic and forward-thinking leadership is crucial for ETS to venture into new domains related to Oracle, such as cloud services, security, and applications. The company is actively pursuing certifications in these areas.
Mbele also touched on ETS’s commitment to youth empowerment and gender diversity, particularly the inclusion of young women in the IT industry, which is a central element of the company’s growth strategy.
To become a leading entity in its key technology domains, ETS has initiated an intensive training program across the organization, aiming to cultivate the highest level of business skills for customer service. Naidoo is personally involved in developing young talent through a program that provides rigorous technical and soft skills training, viewing these individuals as the future core of ETS Group.
Naidoo expressed his enthusiasm for joining a management team that is experienced, hands-on, motivated, and aligned with his and Mbele’s values. He is excited about the collaborative potential with this team and is optimistic about leading ETS Group to new heights.
