Page 29 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Emily Elliott

Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Armour That commitment to people-first leadership has already In an industry dominated by men, Imperial Armour has
yielded tangible results. “The other day, I was sitting always been 100% female-owned, and 96% percent of
with staff members from different departments, and the staff are women. Emily notes with pride, “And while
mily Elliott is chief executive officer of
E Imperial Armour, a globally recognised they each said to me, ‘I love working here. I love my job, the industry may have traditionally been perceived as a
manufacturer of high-performance body and I love what I’m doing.’ For me, that made me realise ‘man’s world’ – consider the impact when women can:
that I am successfully impacting the company.” Design; Craft; Negotiate and Sell the highest quality of
armour serving both local and international markets.
Body Armour.”
This year marks the company’s twenty-fifth anniversary, Under Emily’s guidance, Imperial Armour continues to
a milestone that reflects dedication and resilience. At thrive under a quality assurance framework. “I live and Emily has also been guided by her late father’s words:
just twenty-nine years old, Emily’s journey has been breathe ISO,” she says, referring to the international “He always told me to learn from everyone who gives
one intertwined with family legacy and personal quality management standard. “It’s a path that we’ve advice. Whether it’s with a pinch of salt or not, I always
conviction. taken to make sure that we are successful. We measure, do my best to learn. I think it’s important to share that

“When I was about seven years old, I would ask my mum, we set goals, and we work towards them.” lesson with young women.”
whose life did you save today? she recalls with a smile. “That’s This approach has also driven technical innovation. Emily She is passionate about seeing more women step into
where my love for the business and the industry began.” highlights a major development in product design that has leadership roles within the defence industry. “I want

The family’s roots in defence stretch even further back, improved functionality and reduced material waste. “For young women to know they can be here, that they can
as Emily explains: “Defence is in my blood. It’s carried our most popular product line, we’ve managed to create succeed. Confidence is something you must believe in
through from my grandfather, through to my mum, to minimal wastage, which has been amazing,” she explains. your head first. You may not have it all, but you can go
me. It has always been there.” for it, and the confidence comes.”
The Contour 25 line is not only sustainable but also
Although Emily officially joined the company a decade ergonomically advanced. “When a reaction officer CLEAR AMBITIONS
ago, her path to leadership was carefully considered. wears a vest, they need complete manoeuvrability. The Looking ahead, Emily’s ambitions for Imperial Armour
After completing schooling, she pursued a business Contour 25 allows that. You can hold your firearm with are clear. “I would like the brand’s market reach to grow,”
diploma and experimented with several ventures of no restriction, sit in a vehicle comfortably, and have full she says. “We are already in seventy-eight countries but
her own, including a clothing line for mothers and protection. It’s been incredible, and our key accounts expanding on that is a huge goal for me. We need to
daughters. “It’s quite ironic since I have two boys have already adopted this style.”
protect as many people as we can.”
now,” she laughs. Her time working and travelling in
Asia gave her valuable perspective, but she always EMPOWERING WOMEN She adds that Imperial Armour’s mission goes beyond
knew where her heart lay. “I ended up coming back Emily’s sense of social responsibility has also found production. “We manufacture for the wearer, for
to Imperial Armour, realising that this is where I could expression in a new initiative, the ‘Yes, You! Campaign’. their families. Our slogan is: ‘When you go in, we go
make a difference.” “It’s directed at women, particularly from lower-income in with you’. We may not physically accompany the
communities,” she explains. “Many of these women want to wearers into dangerous environments, but through
The leadership transition has been, in her words, “a very
start their careers but may lack confidence, communication our garments, we are right there with them. I love that
steady process over the past five years,” culminating
skills or even knowledge of how to prepare a CV. We train because it is truly Imperial Armour.”
in her formal appointment as CEO. “Just seeing
them, we help them grow their confidence, learn how to
the documents finalised felt like the completion of With two young sons and a supportive husband, Emily
interview and present themselves.”
something that had been in motion for a long time.” understands the challenges of balance. “I find balance
Initially rolled out within the company, the campaign through energising myself for work and energising
CULTURE, QUALITY AND INNOVATION
will soon expand to reach the surrounding community. myself from work for life,” she explains. “I make sure that
As CEO, Emily has placed company culture at the forefront Emily says warmly, “My biggest dream has always been my cup is filled with family and friends, and that brings
of her vision. “We focus on teamwork and collaboration. to be an entrepreneur who makes a difference. If I’m not me my best self for work and vice versa for home. I’m
The team’s synergy is one hundred percent there.” making a difference, I’m not succeeding.” grateful for both.”

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