Richard Spilg
Senior Executive Coach
My purpose
Leaders are increasingly focused on figuring out their fundamental purpose – questions such as “Am I realising my full potential?”; “How can I be a more effective leader?”; “Is the work I’m doing aligned with my values?”; “Why aren’t we gelling as a leadership team?” are all too common. This has made me reflect on my own purpose – in a nutshell, I support leaders in taking charge of their futures and fulfilling their true potential – thereby enriching their own lives as well as those of others they influence. The value I add comes through the practical application and combination of my commercial, executive, international and coaching experiences.
How my business experience helps
My career in investment banking, private banking, financial and professional services has included involvement with start-ups through to management of complex, highly regulated, multi-jurisdictional businesses. My CEO and Board experiences in South Africa, Australia, the UK and New Zealand have given me a unique understanding of what it takes to adapt to new environments, successfully engage across diverse cultures and build sustainable businesses. Relevant executive roles have included:
Chief Executive, BDO New Zealand (interim role)
Chief Executive, BDO Investment Management (UK)
Partner, BDO LLP (UK)
Chief Executive, Ansbacher Group (UK)
Chief Executive, FirstRand International (UK)
Chief Operating Officer, RMB Asset Management (SA)
Executive Director, RMB Australia (Au)
General Manager, Rand Merchant Bank (SA)
In addition to my executive roles, I have been involved in voluntary coaching and mentoring programmes that have given me insight into the motivators of diverse groups of individuals and how to be an effective contributor to their successes.
How my coaching experience helps
Since relocating to New Zealand in 2011 I gained accreditation as a certified coach in order to supplement my business experience with a strong theoretical and practical understanding of coaching. This provides the basis for me to support senior leaders who are under pressure to juggle priorities and deliver effective leadership in an increasingly complex environment.
My work is typically with existing or aspiring leaders who have an identified challenge or development need; been recently promoted; taken on new responsibilities; or are contemplating career change. My experience is that one-to-one coaching supports clients in achieving congruence between their personal and business objectives. My work with leadership teams, whose performance is dependent on successfully combining different skills, experiences and personalities, is informed by my commercial experience and the knowledge that organisations prosper when they are led by high-performing teams.
Affiliations
Membership of professional bodies and current directorships
Board of Variety, the New Zealand Children’s Charity
Accreditations
International Certified Coach, International Coaching Community
International Certified Team Coach, International Coaching Community
Education
1978 Bachelor of Commerce (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa)
1980 Bachelor of Accountancy (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa)
1981 Chartered Accountant, South Africa
1989 Higher Diploma in Taxation Law, South Africa
1991 Chartered Accountant, Australia
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