Page 53 - KZN Top Business Leaders

EMILY ELLIOTT

mily Elliott, CEO of Imperial Armour, has people we protect with our garments. That’s the Kingdom and her mother, Louisa Garland, founder
taken an unconventional path to leadership, driving force behind everything we do.” of Imperial Armour. “She started the company
shaped by global experiences, personal from the ground up despite huge challenges.
Etenacity, and a deep commitment to saving Emily speaks passionately about the impact of She’s authentic, raw, a risk-taker – and my true
lives through innovation. Born in Leuven, Belgium, the company’s work. “We are contributing to over inspiration,” reflected Emily.
Emily moved to South Africa with her family in 450,000 lives that we’ve helped keep safe. We’re
2000, an event that would mark the beginning of a effectively helping people get home to their loved NAVIGATING A FAMILY BUSINESS
remarkable professional journey. ones and protect their communities. It’s so much
bigger than it seems.” Her journey as CEO of a family-owned company
“Moving from Belgium has always been something hasn’t been without its trials. In a family business,
Balancing her professional responsibilities with
that makes me realise that life is not always going to personal and professional aspects form a huge part
family life is no small feat, but Emily finds her
be the way it seemed,” she reflects. “My career could of the foundation, despite the need to keep these
greatest pride in both. She said, “My proudest
have gone completely differently, but our relocation separated. “It’s not easy navigating the personal
achievements come from both my professional
was driven by a business opportunity and my focus and professional aspects of a family business,” she
and my personal life. My two boys bring me so
became continuing that legacy.” admits. “But I’ve learnt that if you focus on what’s
much happiness and purpose, they and my family best for the business, the rest will follow. And
That legacy was Imperial Armour, a globally are my true success.” always – keep your Christmas table big.”
recognised manufacturer of protective gear,
ranging from bulletproof vests to fire and demining A VISION ROOTED IN LEARNING AND It’s unsurprising that Emily’s approach to leadership
suits, serving defence and emergency sectors EMPOWERMENT centres around unity. She explained, “We’re a team,
around the world. and we face challenges together. Collaboration and
Emily’s outlook is deeply influenced by the advice
“I started right at the bottom,” Emily says, recalling of her father to: never stop learning. “It’s easy to communication are how we stay motivated, even
though there are obstacles.”
her early days in the company. “My first favourite think that once you gain some experience, you’ll
job was doing the marketing.” Alongside her have all the answers – but in actual fact, you never A strong advocate for women in business, Emily is
work, she enrolled in for a business diploma and stop learning. I was told that truly successful spearheading a campaign called Yes You, aimed
continued upskilling through online courses. people are the ones who understand they don’t at upskilling and empowering women within
know everything and actively look for guidance her team and the broader community. “Imperial
Her early career also included some unexpected from those who’ve been there before.”
detours: she taught English in Thailand and Armour has been 100% female-owned for the
worked as a bookie in Scotland. She also launched Consequently, gathering advice and gaining past 25 years in a male-dominated industry,” she
a matching mother-and-daughter clothing line. experience from others has helped challenge her says proudly. “That’s a true testament to what
“It was a huge learning curve,” she admits. “A lot thinking and has been a huge part of her journey. women are capable of. I want to show the world
of capital spent, and a lot of industry knowledge “I’ve made a point of building relationships with that we can negotiate, manufacture, and deliver
gained, which I still use in manufacturing today.” experienced individuals who’ve been incredibly excellence.”
generous with their insights, helping me navigate
PURPOSE BEYOND PRODUCT and challenge my own thinking,” said Emily. Looking to the future, Emily envisions a business
landscape in KwaZulu-Natal where young entre-
At just 28, Emily took on the leadership of Imperial In addition, Emily draws immense inspiration from preneurs, especially women, feel empowered to lead.
Armour. She explained. “After 25 years of pure love two entrepreneurs in her family. Both of them “Being young in business is scary. You constantly
for the business, and 10 years of preparations, I am showed her what incredible resilience, vision, and compare yourself, which is wrong – but it’s also very
now CEO of Imperial Armour, leading a team of 27 determination can achieve, especially in a sector as exciting. I hope more young adults enter this space.
incredible people and driving our strategic growth. vital as defence. Leadership shouldn’t have an age limit.”

But for her, leadership goes beyond business. These entrepreneurs are her grandfather, Douglas Emily concludes with a personal motto: “What you
“The people are my ‘why’– our amazing team and Garland, who started the roots in the defence are not changing, you are choosing.” In her eyes,
their families, the communities, and especially the industry with his company RBR in the United progress starts with that first choice to grow.
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