Full Name: Kriben Reddy

Position and Company Name: CEO of Kredo Mobility

Main Activity of the Company: Kredo Mobility is a data- and technology-driven company aimed at making vehicle financing, transactions and mobility access in South Africa more efficient, transparent and fair by providing unified data, fraud prevention, alternative mobility models and digital tools for dealers and consumers

Date and Place of Birth: June 7, 1980, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Stanmore Secondary School in Phoenix, Durban, 1997; Diploma in Information Technology, Natal Technikon (which later merged with ML Sultan Technikon to form the Durban University of Technology), 2001; ITIL Expert Qualification, 2010; Programme for Management Development, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), 2012; MBA, GIBS, 2014

First Job: Call centre sales agent at McCarthy Call a Car

Size of First Pay Packet: R30 000 a year

Career Path to Date: McCarthy Call a Car (2001–2002); CarFind (2002–2003); Online Optical Solutions (2003–2005); MotorOnline (2005); TransUnion (2005–2023), progressing from technical support administrator to senior roles, including director of product, senior director; VP TransUnion Auto (Africa) and VP TransUnion Direct to Consumer. I founded Kredo Mobility in 2023

Value of Assets Under Your Control: In excess of R200-million previously

Number of People under Your Leadership: Previously up to 40 but currently I have a total count of 10 – 11 including myself

Management Style: I lead with a hands-on, empowering, and purpose-driven approach. I believe in a combination of strategic vision and practical execution, fostering a culture of accountability and innovation

Personal Best Achievement: Leaving the corporate world to start Kredo Mobility. Within a short period, I managed to bootstrap the business entirely, with no external funding, and employ ten permanent employees, with a pipeline of additional skills actively being recruited. Our solutions have helped our clients drive sales, while preventing fraud and reducing risk

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Although my father passed away when I was 17, his influence profoundly shaped my personal and work/business life. He taught me hard work, keeping your word, consistency, kindness, treating others as you would want to be treated and standing firmly by one’s principles

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Three people stand out: Kevin Naidoo, who hired me at McCarthy Call a Car after a brief interview; Ravin Sanjith, who gave me my break into a more formal corporate environment; and Derick de Vries, who mentored me into executive leadership

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nowadays, with social media and the constant visibility of leaders online, you almost feel as if you’ve met many of them already. If I had to choose, it would probably be Jeff Bezos, who built a behemoth – Amazon – from his garage

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: South African entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and global business speaker Vusi Thembekwayo

Philosophy of Life: It’s not the smartest or biggest that wins, it’s the most adaptable and quickest to evolve that succeeds

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting my own business and taking control of my destiny

Biggest Ever Disappointment: While some of my greatest achievements came from corporate environments, so too did some of my greatest disappointments – often stemming from the actions of people in positions of power who chose self-interest over doing the right thing

Hope for the Future: I believe we live in one of the world’s greatest countries and I’m extremely hopeful that, in the next few years, we will see a turnaround in our country like never before

Favourite Reading: Anything related to current events, emerging, and current technologies

Favourite TV Programme: Tulsa King, White Lotus, Your Friends and Neighbours, Squid Game, and MobLand

Favourite Food/Drink: A good steak with a single-malt whiskey. I’m a reasonably good cook, so a homemade curry or potjie is always a go-to when having friends or family over

Favourite Music: I’m a child of the 80s, so anything 80s, 90s and 2000s is on top of my playlists – hip hop, pop, reggae, R&B, some heavy metal and country and anything that’s easy listening

Favourite Sport: Any sport South Africa is playing in is a favourite

Hobbies: I collect vintage audio as well as restore classic vehicles

Car: Porsche 911 S and Porsche Cayenne Coupe S

Pets: None, but I would consider a British bulldog

Married: To Leah Reddy