Werner Gerber, Group Head of Investment Solutions
Group Head of Investment Solutions
Current Experience:
Group Head of Investment Solutions at Skybound Capital Group · Full-time Jul 2025 - Present · (5 mos)
Past Experiences:
Head of Business Solutions - Africa at Apex Group Apr 2024 - Jun 2025 · (1 yr 3 mos)
Regional Head of CRM, Southern Europe & Africa at Apex Group Aug 2022 - Apr 2024 · (1 yr 9 mos)
Non-Executive Director at Ninety-One SSC (SA) (Pty) Ltd · Full-time Aug 2022 - Jun 2025 · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Director at Sanne Jan 2022 - Jun 2025 · (3 yrs 6 mos)
Associate Director, Alternative Asset Services at Sanne Apr 2020 - Feb 2022 · (1 yr 11)
Senior Manager Alternative Asset Services at Sanne Sep 2019 - Apr 2020 (8 mos)
Corporate Services Manager at Sanne Jul 2018 - Aug 2019 · (1 yr 2 mos)
Manager at PwC South Africa Jan 2018 - Jun 2018 · (6 mos)
Senior Manager at BDO South Africa Jan 2015 - Dec 2017 · (3yrs)
Trainee Accountant at Baker Tilly Greenwoods Chartered Accountants Feb 2012 - Dec 2014 · (2 yrs 11 mos)
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting and Finance
Honours Degree, Accounting and Finance
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From Firefighting to Financial Frontlines, Meet Werner Gerber
Before becoming the Head of Business Development for Africa at Apex Group, Werner Gerber was literally putting out fires as a student firefighter. Today, he’s doing the same for complex financial structures across private equity and credit markets, except now the fire is regulatory chaos, stakeholder pressure, and cross-border compliance.
Werner doesn’t just “do accounting”, he treats it as an art form. With a CA(SA) and global credentials under his belt, he’s proving that technical mastery and creativity can (and should) coexist in high-stakes finance. Whether he's moderating panels with SA's top investment minds or grinding out ultra-marathons, Werner’s approach is the same: structured, strategic, and relentless.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
6:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my morning with a good cup of coffee, a quick look at global news, and a few thought-provoking opinion pieces.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
I’ve always viewed accounting and finance a little differently. For me, structuring transactions and investment vehicles feels like an art form. The problem is the canvas, and the solution is something you create with a mix of creativity, precision, and intent.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
A quote from Corné Krige has always stayed with me: “Don’t focus so hard on the lighthouse that you miss the diamonds along the path.” I try to live by that, noticing and appreciating the smaller milestones as I go.
Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to be featured in publications like the Cape Times, HedgeNews Africa, and AFSIC, which recognised my work in the financial space. I’ve also had the opportunity to moderate panel discussions with some of South Africa’s leading investment managers, experiences that have genuinely shaped my career.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
As Head of Business Development for Africa at Apex, I focus on strategic growth across the financial services space, with a strong emphasis on making private markets more accessible. My background in private equity, private credit, and unlisted valuations allows me to shape solutions that fit each client’s needs. I also work closely with our teams to bring in new technology that supports better efficiency and performance.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I support the company’s financial strategy by focusing on revenue growth and spotting new opportunities early. From there, I work to turn those opportunities into real value and make sure they line up with the wider goals of the business, both in Africa and internationally.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges in my role has been working through complex cross-border regulations. Each market has its own rules, and they shift often, so it takes real focus to stay ahead. I’ve also had to balance what clients expect with what our teams can deliver, especially when market conditions and investor sentiment change. Bringing in new technology, managing different stakeholders, and keeping priorities aligned all at once can be tough, but staying adaptable and building strong relationships has helped me move through it effectively.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
We focus on getting the most out of our technology so our operations stay efficient and scalable with as little manual work as possible. Tools like blockchain help us keep a secure and reliable record of transactions, and our automated fund administration systems handle much of the day-to-day workload. This approach improves accuracy, speeds things up, and helps us stay flexible as client needs and industry expectations evolve.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
For me, staying balanced during busy periods comes down to five things: planning, triaging, automation, communication, and exercise.
I plan by setting clear priorities and breaking big projects into smaller steps. Mapping out deadlines helps me stay focused on what matters most. Triaging is just as important because it helps me sort tasks by urgency and impact so I know what needs attention first and what can wait or be handed off.
Automation helps a lot too. Using technology to handle repetitive work saves time and gives me more space to focus on strategic tasks. Good communication also makes a difference. Keeping open conversations with the team helps us flag challenges early, share workloads, and make sure our expectations stay aligned.
And finally, exercise. Staying active keeps my energy up, reduces stress, and helps me think more clearly. All of these together help me stay steady, even when things get intense.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I’m big on cycling and running, and I’ve taken on a few ultra-marathons over the years. I like to think it speaks to my love for endurance and perseverance, although after about 80km I definitely start questioning my life choices. When I’m not out on the road, I’m usually spending time with my dogs or enjoying a really good cup of coffee. Those quiet moments are what recharge me the most.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
I believe leadership means being out front with your team, not directing from a distance. I prefer to support people in the middle of the work, using my own experience to guide them through challenges, share insight, and help them grow with confidence.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to ask questions and clarify expectations early, it’s always better to be certain than to assume. Communicate clearly and proactively to keep stakeholders informed and manage expectations. Stay adaptable and open to learning, since the finance industry is constantly evolving, and use feedback as a tool for growth. Finally, take ownership of your responsibilities, approach challenges with confidence, and be proactive in finding solutions to make a meaningful impact on the team’s success.
““Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who finds it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration, it’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.””
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
One of the most important leadership lessons I’ve learned is the need to balance vision with empathy and adaptability. While guiding a team toward ambitious goals, it’s crucial to understand each member’s unique challenges and perspective. Leadership isn’t just about setting a direction, it’s about building trust, empowering others, and being flexible enough to adjust strategies as circumstances evolve.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I worked as a firefighter while studying to become a Chartered Accountant.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for work, it would be the ability to manipulate time, Doctor Strange style.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I break my day into manageable chunks, focus on one task at a time, and set clear priorities. And, of course, plenty of coffee helps too!
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
The day I became a Chartered Accountant remains one of the most memorable moments of my life. Seeing the pride and joy on my parents' faces made all the hard work, late nights, and sacrifices worthwhile. It wasn’t just a personal achievement - it was a shared milestone.
Werner’s advice for the next generation? Don’t just tick the boxes, own your space, ask the hard questions, and don’t wait for permission to lead. In his world, impossible isn’t a fact, it’s a dare.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to lead from the front, not follow from the back.
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