Hendrik Coetzee

Currently, the Group IT Director for the Gargash Group, recognized as one of the United Arab Emirates’ most prominent and respected business families. This role provides strategic leadership to the Group IT ensuring alignment with the overall group strategy.

I am an accomplished and innovative IT executive with proven ability to successfully direct information technology, telecommunications and support services operations. Innovative strategic planner able to envision business goals and create roadmaps to success.

I have been fortunate to work with and lead teams of very gifted and brilliant individuals responsible for all IT infrastructure and site build outs of multiple Amazon corporate and customer service sites across Africa. I am a self-starter, possessing the ability to manage multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously as well as being able to influence, negotiate and develop relationships with customers and vendors at all levels of the organization. I have the ability to be a creative leader with superior analytical abilities and judgment who can set clear goals and direction.

I am an enabler that ensures department productivity and cost objectives are being met while being a strong, vocal advocate for our customers. I have traveled extensively to various Amazon.com corporate sites and fulfillment centers in the UK as well as to the Amazon.com headquarters in Seattle, USA.

I have been IT Manager – Networks and Infrastructure for the global Corporate Bank, HSBC in Cape Town. This position had the responsibility of managing and maintaining all areas of ICT within HSBC including IT Steering committee contributions. I have traveled and visited the HSBC offices in Hong Kong and Singapore on product and systems research for implementation locally of several group applications.

I have always adhered to the following values which is the very fabric of my work ethics:

• Passion for Service - I work seamlessly to service my customer (students and teachers) with passion, commitment and dedication
• Integrity - I live out fairness, impartiality and respect all in their actions as individuals and as organization
• Empowerment - I recognize the value of our employees and 3rd party partners and provide them with tools to effectively deliver on their responsibilities
• Accountability - I hold one another accountable for our commitments and responsive to our duties
• Collaboration - I believe in the power of teams, teamwork and collaborative effort to deliver exceptional service.

Lastly my love for Open Source Software and the unlimited possibilities of community driven development and collaboration have allowed me to deliver many innovative solutions and applications during my career of 30+ years in IT.