AnyVan: General Manager South Africa
AnyVan, a leading marketplace platform specialising in efficient, on-demand delivery solutions, had recently established a new office in South Africa. To ensure the continued success and growth of the South African operations, AnyVan required a strong, strategically minded General Manager who could take charge of the established office, lead the local team, and drive market growth. The ideal candidate needed to combine extensive knowledge of customer success, experience and sales with an understanding of the South African market to cement AnyVan’s presence.
candidates identified
diverse candidates
week timeline
The search for a General Manager posed unique challenges. While the South African office was already established, AnyVan needed a leader who could quickly take the reins, bring a deep understanding of local business practices, and navigate the nuances of the South African regulatory environment. This leader would need to integrate seamlessly with AnyVan’s established corporate culture while effectively addressing the specific needs and expectations of the local market.
Given the urgency of this hire, the search needed to be both comprehensive and fast-paced. AnyVan required a candidate who could not only meet high performance expectations but also quickly adapt to the role and make an immediate impact.
KNiON executed a rapid and targeted search, completing the assignment within an accelerated three-week timeline. Our process began with a detailed analysis of the South African tech, data and customer success market, identifying the specific skill sets, industry experience, and leadership qualities essential for success in the role. We mapped out candidates with a proven track record in team leadership, operational oversight, and market growth in similar regions.
To meet the tight timeline, we prioritised candidates with both regional expertise and relevant transferable experience, initially casting a wide net but swiftly narrowing our focus based on AnyVan’s evolving feedback. Our team maintained close communication with AnyVan throughout, offering insights on local industry standards and competitive intelligence, which enabled a continuous refinement of the candidate profile. This collaborative and agile approach allowed us to home in on the ideal mix of skills and experience required for the role.
By week three, we had assembled a shortlist of high-calibre candidates with the strategic vision, operational know-how, and cultural alignment to make an immediate impact. Each finalist demonstrated the ability to drive optimisation, build and motivate teams, and drive automation.
Ben and his team recently represented me and found me a fantastic opportunity with an outstanding company and team. (KNiON’s) / Ben's understanding of the business, culture, and opportunity was exceptional. It is not common to work with a search firm so closely aligned to the client. Ben and his team were mature, open, honest, and transparent throughout. The whole engagement was highly consultative, and the experience was exceptional. I would highly recommend Ben and KNiON to any high-growth, ambitious businesses looking to build their leadership team, or to any leaders who would value a trusted advisor.
The chosen candidate brought a unique blend of local expertise, digital transformation, and a proactive approach to team building. They quickly adapted to the role, establishing a strong rapport with the local team and implementing streamlined operational processes that aligned with AnyVan’s broader goals.
This rapid-fire search exemplified the value of a focused, collaborative executive search process, with KNiON’s expertise enabling a seamless placement within a tight timeframe. By identifying a General Manager with the right combination of regional knowledge and leadership experience, we helped secure a pivotal hire to drive AnyVan’s continued success, and followed by two further hires.
