Strategic management expert and skilled corporate executive Peter Quinn (63) became the new CEO of 117-year-old NPO Rand Aid Association on March 1, 2020.
The position was vacant following the death in August 2019 of Rae Brown, who had been at the helm of Rand Aid for 14 years.
With its head office in Lyndhurst, Rand Aid has three life-rights retirement villages, a retirement village that offers rental accommodation, two frail care centres and a substance abuse treatment centre.
“The alignment of my culture and values – most notably integrity and empathy – with those of Rand Aid, makes this amazing organisation a good fit for me. I look forward to my role as CEO and will seek to leave a meaningful legacy, as other CEOs before me have done.
“My time here must ensure the ongoing success of Rand Aid and further entrench its commitment to assisting the elderly and those with substance abuse challenges,” says Peter.
He brings to Rand Aid the unique ability of being able to apply a creative approach to structured financial and governance processes, and vice versa.
Peter describes his management style as participative. “I keep an open door and believe in listening to my team,” he says.
“My approach is strategic and focused; analytical yet creative. Rand Aid has a solid management team in place and together, we will continue to provide solid governance support to the Board and be action and delivery orientated,” he says.
He adds that as CEO, he has the responsibility of leading the organisation in protecting its investments and that of its life-rights residents.
Peter has many years of experience in business at CEO level. He possesses financial acumen and extensive knowledge of and experience in many functional areas.
A resident of Magaliesig near Fourways, one of Peter’s passions is ‘long distance riding across South Africa on my touring Harley.”
He reads extensively – mainly non-fiction – and says that because of his enquiring mind, Google is his BFF and educator.
“Rand Aid has an amazing culture of caring and a passion for the elderly. Since joining the organisation, I have been impressed by the absolute commitment of all staff members and the loyalty they show to the organisation and the people in their care.
“The well-maintained facilities and beautiful gardens highlight Rand Aid’s continued commitment to professionalism and efficiency.”
An interesting career
Peter obtained a Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) from the University of Cape Town, qualifying as both a chartered accountant and later a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
On successfully completing the Higher Diploma in Marketing Management, Peter became a member of the Institute of Marketing Management and was subsequently amongst the first to qualify as a chartered marketer in South Africa. He furthered his management studies by completing the Stanford Executive Programme at Stanford University, California.
Peter started his working life as an audit clerk, moving up various corporate structures to become CEO of Fedics Food Services, a position he assumed in January 1997 and which saw him overseeing over 10 000 staff members.
In January 1999, he was appointed group chief executive officer of Fedics Group Ltd, a listed company. He led the group through a delisting, leverage buy-out and BEE deal, which necessitated a complete re-strategising and focus exercise, requiring extensive negotiation.
In 2004, he left the corporate world to pursue various entrepreneurial endeavours, which included using his considerable experience to work as a strategic management consultant.
Peter has been involved in a number of organisations, including serving as the CEO of the South African Israel Chamber of Commerce (2014-2015), being a member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation and past chairman of the Africa Gateway Chapter. He has also served on a number of boards, including the Board of Protea Hotels.
Rand Aid’s new CEO, Peter Quinn.
