Full Name: Herman Venter

Position and Company Name: MD of DHL Express South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Logistics

Date and Place of Birth: October 16, 1981, Pretoria

Schools and Tertiary Education: BCom (Financial Management Sciences), University of Pretoria; BCom (Economic Sciences), University of Pretoria; BCom Hons (Financial Management Sciences), University of Pretoria; MBA, University of the Witwatersrand; Chartered Global Management Accountant designation, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

First Job: Retail associate at Chamberlains, a hardware group in Gauteng, where my duties included packing shelves, cleaning and general customer service

Size of First Pay Packet: R10 an hour

Career Path to Date: Before assuming my current position, I served in global executive leadership roles within the retail arena, before being appointed a director within the logistics sector. I have also held roles in operations, marketing, finance, information technology and merchandising

Number of People under Your Leadership: 577

Management Style: People-centric servant leader and transformational



Personal Best Achievement: Becoming a father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: One of my best friends, who taught me to be kind to myself, to live life to the fullest and to find joy and beauty in every single moment

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A mentor and friend I worked with at Builders Warehouse. He supported my development as a leader, embraced vulnerable people leadership and supported me in building on my strengths

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Winston Churchill – as a minor history buff, I would love to discuss his amazing journey and incredible speeches

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs – while I don’t align with how he treated people at times, I deeply respect and admire his passion, drive, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit

Philosophy of Life: Treat everyone with love, care and kindness – you never know what burden they carry and what a profound, positive impact you can have on their lives

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to learn from amazing people in my personal life, brilliant leaders in business and some of the best universities and institutions

Biggest Ever Disappointment: No major ones – I am incredibly blessed and grateful

Hope for the Future: A prosperous South Africa that our children can be proud of

Favourite Reading: Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown

Favourite TV Programme: Big Bang Theory

Favourite Food/Drink: Coffee (nature’s ambrosia) and Tex Bars

Favourite Music: Heavy metal

Favourite Sport: I love to play padel and to watch cricket

Hobbies: Travel, spending quality time with my family, and cooking

Pets: Dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Rude people

Partner: Sabrina Dorning

Children: Marissa, 16

Clubs: None