EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
Finalists are selected from amongst entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as entrepreneurial spirit, value creation, strategic direction, impact, innovation and purpose-driven leadership. They include traditional entrepreneurs who are founders and leaders of high-growth companies. They also are transformational people who may not have started their company but have been essential to its success.
Largely unconstrained by the mechanisms and processes of corporate entities, entrepreneurs go-to-market capability and ability to scale innovative ideas is far quicker than their corporate counterparts. This year’s finalist group have built businesses across all sectors offering innovation and exceptional acumen and leadership on the topics of organisational culture, fisheries, cold chain and logistics, technology and ICT, retail and e-commerce, insurance and insurance underwriting, venture capital and investment.
The EY World Entrepreneur Award™
finalists and judges
The EY World Entrepreneur Award™ is judged by an independent judging panel made up of EY World Entrepreneur Award™ alumni, entrepreneurs, and key influencers from the business community. The finalists are assessed according to Entrepreneurial Spirit, Innovation, National & Global Impact, Strategic .
Direction and Value Creation across 3 categories namely Influence, Ignite and Inspire.
The ‘Influence’ category winner will join finalists from over 60 countries to compete for the title of 2021 EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ award in June this year.
Azim Omar, EY Private Leader – EY Africa and Programme Leader says: “These entrepreneurs demonstrate extraordinary business acumen, leadership excellence and the desire to uplift and serve. It’s these qualities and sheer determination that drives their success evidenced in the businesses they’ve built, own and run.”
The Class of 2020 - Finalists
‘Influence’
Imraan Soomra, CEO, Oceana Group Limited
Mteto Nyati, Group Chief Executive, Altron
Pierre Spies, CEO, Alviva Holdings Limited
‘Inspire’
Andre Zietsman, CEO and Founder of Bitumen World (Pvt) Ltd
Antonio Iozzo, CEO and Founder, Insurance Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd (IUM)
Stuart Knight, CEO, Halsted Builders Express
Abubaker (Abu) Varachhia, Chairman and Founder, Spear Reit Limited
‘Ignite’
Isaac (Ike) Chalumbira, CEO and Founder, Lionshare Holdings
Lester Jones, Group CEO, AMP Group
Lynnette Magasa, CEO and Founder, Boniswa Corporate Solutions
Nick Bell, CEO, Decision Inc