Etienne Schlechter
Managing Director
Cape Town
Summary
Versatile Managing Director with proven abilities across all levels of organisational management. Talented in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel and developing tactical plans to meet strategic goals. Proven leader with significant background in Hospitality, Events,Liquor and Digital Development. Skilled in developing and executing business plans to maximise profitability, streamline operations and maintain compliance with industry regulations. Significant experience in the NGO sector as the CEO of Cheshire Homes South Africa and Chairman of the Board of Eric Miles Cheshire Home.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO - Volunteer Role
Cheshire Homes South Africa
11.2024 - Current
- Lead efforts to secure funding through grants, donations, sponsorships, and partnerships. Build relationships with donors, corporations, and government agencies to support sustainability.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the board of directors and the organisation. Ensure the board is informed of key developments and that its guidance is reflected in operations.
- .Oversee the development of annual budgets, financial forecasts, and reports. Monitor financial performance and ensure resources are allocated efficiently.
- Serve as the public face of the charity, representing it in media appearances, at public events, and in communications with stakeholders.
- Advocate for the charity’s cause, building awareness and influencing policy on a national level.
- Lead, motivate, and manage the senior management team and staff. Foster a positive work environment that encourages collaboration and commitment to the cause.
Managing Director
Maximus AR
11.2019 - Current
- Maximus AR is focused on development of Augmented and Virtual reality software.
- Actively involved in the implementation of virtual reality health and safety projects in the mining sector
- Strengthened client relationships with regular communication, timely project delivery, and high-quality services.
- Develop and implement various new initiatives in the mining sector creating a unique virtual reality health and safety training product.
- Devise and implement innovative and marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
- Monitor and coordinate workflows to optimize resources.
- Introduce new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Lead development of comprehensive business plan to maximize profitability and company performance.
- Negotiate price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Generate new business opportunities and maintain excellent relationships with current customers at executive level
- Support clients with technical resources, adding to success in sales through development of apps
- Negotiate and close large scale business transactions.
- Oversee software transactions and solutions.
- Create, communicate, and manage project plans.
- Collaborate to create strategic initiatives to design, code, and test solutions.
- Applied and remain current with existing and emerging technologies
Director
Expo Africa
11.2014 - 10.2019
- Hosting successful exhibitions throughout South Africa and Africa including Dinos Alive, Art of the Brick, Titanic, The Springbok Experience
- Responsible for marketing and sales of the exhibition
- Managing finances in excess of R 15 million per annum
- Managing digital and social media content
- Building the Dinos Alive brand image
- Engaging with local and international contractors, government officials and venues.
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
Managing Director
The Bartenders Workshop
03.1998 - 10.2014
- Built the business from the ground up with five offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Mauritius and Namibia
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Negotiated new annual contracts and service agreements with vendors to achieve prime pricing.
- Spearheaded successful business development initiatives aligned with company's strategy and core competencies.
- Devised and implemented innovative and marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
- Led development of comprehensive business plan to maximize profitability and company performance.
- Lectured at universities and hotel schools in the fields of hospitality and service excellence
- Consulted at bars and restaurants to increase profitability and improve service standards
- Developed and implemented training standards for various hospitality businesses
- Hosted some of South Africa's largest events including the Jazz Festival and 2010 Soccer World Cup, CTICC Bar Operations
- Hosted World Bartending Conference in South Africa in 2014 as President of the South African Bartenders Association
- Traveled extensively in Africa and the rest of the world providing training and judging competitions
- Made numerous TV appearances and engaged with local and international personalities.
- Published a cocktail book entitled Easy Going Cocktails
Education
Alignment Therapist Level 3 - The Human Body
Academy of Alignment Therapy
Hospitality Management - Hospitality
SABA
High School Diploma -
Stellenberg High School
Life Coach - Life Coach Speciality Practitioner
Coaching Studies International
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Psychology
The Academy of Modern Applied Psychology
Skills
Operational excellence
Talent development
Effective decision making
Negotiation
Business development
Corporate governance
Executive presence
Excellent communication
Inspirational leadership
Problem-solving
Planning and coordination
Financial acumen
Accomplishments
- Appointed as President of the South African Bartenders Association as position which I held for 10 years
- Organised and Hosted the International Bartenders Association Conference featuring 60 countries in Cape Town, South Africa
- Wrote and published a cocktail book entitled Easy Going Cocktails.
- Led a team of 40 people at The Bartenders Workshop to become one of South Africa's premier bar service and hospitality training companies.
- Developed and implemented on of South Africa's most successful travelling exhibitions called Dino's Alive including development of Augmented Reality Elements.
Timeline
CEO - Volunteer Role
Cheshire Homes South Africa
11.2024 - Current
Managing Director
Maximus AR
11.2019 - Current
Director
Expo Africa
11.2014 - 10.2019
Managing Director
The Bartenders Workshop
03.1998 - 10.2014
Alignment Therapist Level 3 - The Human Body
Academy of Alignment Therapy
Hospitality Management - Hospitality
SABA
High School Diploma -
Stellenberg High School
Life Coach - Life Coach Speciality Practitioner
Coaching Studies International
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Psychology
The Academy of Modern Applied Psychology