Ian Cook

Background

About Ian Cook

RISK = HAZARD + OUTRAGE The key competence of any CEO, COO, CFO or Executive Consultant is to manage risk. Understanding the human element behind risk assessment and management is often underestimated, and this outrage factor, once identified, often leads to better performance outcomes. My understanding of this aspect of risk management during my 21 year international career as Commercial Director, Director of Strategy Implementation, MD, Group Organizational Development Manager, Senior Global Business Advisor, Vice President Sales & Marketing, among others, at BP Oil International & SHELL SA, 10 years at World Vision International, 4 years at GE Commercial Finance and a further 4 years at RSAWEB has greatly helped differentiate my performance and career path. This, combined with my ability to seek first to understand and then be understood, has given me an often unexpected human element to business dealings and has further contributed to my successful career. My leadership style is one of enthusing, motivating and leading from the front, be it for commercial or NGO environments. Living as an expat across 6 countries whilst working for BP Oil and WVI has resulted in my experience of cultural, political and business environments being unusual and deep. Exposure to many aspects of business and commercial life, with the ability to communicate effectively as well as being able to implement often unpopular strategic imperatives, has been a core strength. Repatriating to South Africa a few years back, and having moved back into an IT management environment, I have been able to leverage my international experience with local realities. After many years in Commercial roles, I seek to leverage my Management skills as an Executive Consultant in COO, CEO, Commercial Director or Chief of Staff capacities in the IT or Fintech sectors. Regarding myself as a safe pair of hands who understands how to operate, manage and lead companies across many industry verticals, I now wish to join a management team in a consulting capacity where I can support and underpin gearing companies for growth in a COVID-stressed environment. Additionally, having served as a keynote speaker at a number of international conferences, I’m open to speaking opportunities about developing trends in Social Investment strategy and perspectives. Please reach out to me on ian.cook84@gmail.com to discuss relevant consulting/ speaking opportunities.