Page 8 - KZN Business Sense 10.4 - Jay Patel - Ebook

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

L-R: KZN Leader of the Year Award presented to Brian Howarth Chairman of Magnet (second from left) by Kuben Chetty, Head of Commercial Banking, Client Coverage KZN at Standard Bank; Simone Cooper, Head of Business and
Commercial Banking South Africa at Standard Bank Group Ltd and Hameed Noormahomed Head of Coverage for Business Banking for KwaZulu-Natal at Standard Bank.

he Standard In 1982, he was promoted responsible for all electrical, lighting and amongst the staff that has Brian carries his
Bank KZN Top to depot engineer, and was sales and new product solar projects under their helped drive its growth adventurous spirit outside
TBusiness Leader in charge of 150 staff. His development. He then went belt. and success. of the boardroom through
of the Year award is an primary responsibility was on to redirect the focus Magnet is a true family Brian is driven by a numerous hobbies and
honorary award given to for the electrical network of the company towards business, both Brian’s passion for technology sports. He has completed
a businessperson who has in the area, including industrial electrical parents and sister worked and innovation, his comrades, Duzi, numerous
demonstrated exemplary substations, cables and solutions and components, in the business for many inquisitive mind keeps mountain bike races,
business achievement, overhead lights. which saw his appointment years. More recently his him entrenched in all Ironman and most recently
industry influence and is a In 1986, Brian joined to managing director (MD) daughter, Nicole, joined the latest tech (even Tik summited Mt Kilimanjaro
true inspiration to others. in 1995. at 65 years old.
Magnet Electrical Supplies as the third generation Tok!). His greatest joy is
(Pty) Ltd, which was As MD, Brian was of Howarth’s to continue to deliver the best solution While Brian has recently
This year the awardee is: started by Brian’s father, accountable for steering on the legacy Brian has to his customers and see stepped down as MD of
BRIAN HOWARTH Ernest Howarth in 1972. the company on the path steered for the last 32 the benefit it adds to the Magnet, he continues to
From humble beginnings of profitability and growth years. success of their businesses. stay highly involved and
Brian Ernest Howarth
matriculated from selling armature wire the and in 2005 Magnet once It is an incredible privilege Of many highlights of instrumental in the success
Westville Boy’s High business has grown and again shifted focus in (and sometimes) challenge his career a standout of the business. Despite
School in 1974. He evolved to becoming a the direction of energy to work with family. But it moment was when Magnet stepping into ‘retirement’
then went on to work at leading electrical supplies efficient offerings. In has created an incredible successfully completed a he has recently started two
Durban Electricity in and energy solutions 2019, Magnet’s solar culture and people-centric multistage energy saving new business ventures and
1976 as a learner technical business servicing division was established focus to the business. All DSM project for Eskom, shows no sign of slowing
assistant. After four KwaZulu-Natal and and today, Magnet is a employees are considered the proceeds are which down. He will continue to
years, he qualified as an Gauteng industrial and leading industrial and part of the family, and this allowed him to build his make a significant mark on
engineer and worked in commercial markets. commercial electrical and has fostered an incredible dream head office in River the electrical industry for
the planning department. Brian was initially energy solutions provider loyalty and dedication Horse Valley. years to come.
with numerous large scale

L-R: Brian Howarth, Chairman; Nicole Snyders, Strategy & Communications Director; Narasha Ramlutchman-Nel, L-R: Colette Howarth; Narasha Ramlutchman-Nel, Financial Director, Magnet; Brian Howarth, Chairman, Magnet;
Financial Director; Hilton Fortmann, Managing Director, Magnet . Dean Shepherd, Standard Bank; Nicole Snyders, Strategy & Communications Director Magnet and Simone Cooper.

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