Page 9 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

successful. A current challenge is in the volatile South
Financial Director of the Mediterranean Shipping African economy, which impacts on the rand dollar
Company (MSC)
B RYAN BAYLIS, has had a long and satisfying to control for such fluctuations and making financial
exchange rate. As a shipping company, it is impossible
decisions is difficult,” says Baylis.
professional career in the financial sector.
However, he says that over the years the shipping line
After passing matric in 1957, Baylis’ early
career was spent in Heinz J Betz & Co in has continued to look ahead and has had the foresight
Port Elizabeth, where he completed his articles from to grow its operations. Baylis commented that the
1958 to 1962. Baylis studied through UNISA and leadership of Captain Salvatore Sarno, the Chairman of
qualified as a chartered accountant in 1962. He then MSC South Africa, and Mr Gianluigi Aponte, who is the
joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1963, where he Group Executive Chairman of MSC - SA in Geneva has
spent time working at the Port Elizabeth, Durban and led to the growth in South Africa. MSC now comprises
Johannesburg offices. This was followed by a move to 20 companies, which include amongst others, logistics,
George McKeurtan Son and Crosoer (a predecessor firm depots and shipping agencies, which all operate very
to Ernst & Young) in Durban in 1968, where he was smoothly.
made partner in 1971. Over the years, an ongoing highlight experienced by
His career at Ernst & Young saw him relocating to Port Baylis has been in MSC’s family approach to running
Elizabeth in 1972 to open an office to serve national its business. He commented that not only are the
clients. In 1981, Baylis was transferred back to Durban employees looked after well, but there is a working
as an audit partner and he then became the senior ethos of mutual appreciation, which ensures for a very
partner for the last year before his retirement in 2001. harmonious environment, where everyone is involved
in the company’s operational success.
At his retirement lunch from Ernst and Young, Baylis
was asked by MSC Chairman, Captain Salvatore Sarno, Baylis commented, “I enjoy being one with people
to join the shipping company to take over the position and I have found this aspect to be very rewarding.”
as financial director from Bob Winter, who was about Baylis has also much appreciated the many
to retire. community interventions that the company is involved
As Baylis had been the audit partner of MSC since in such as its learnership programmes, Sailing
1979, he was happy to accept the position. Foundation in Simonstown and involvement in
development sailing regattas in Durban.
Baylis says, “I accepted and I thought that it would be
for five years. Now over 15 years later, I am about to He has also been ensuring that the company will
retire from MSC at the end of 2017.” not be disadvantaged by his upcoming retirement by
mentoring his successor. He says, “I enjoy growing
Baylis is justly proud of his stay at the shipping line and and training other employees. I have always had a
has thoroughly enjoyed the ‘very positive experience’. philosophy of imparting knowledge, which has been
His working career at MSC, which is the second biggest gained over many years of experience.”
shipping line in the world, has been encompassed by
much job satisfaction. He says, “As the financial director, He believes that in contrast to today’s trends of job
I have been involved in everything and know what is hopping, his long stays within his various positions have
happening in all aspects of the company.” been very valuable. He added, “It is good to stay and
grow with a company. The opportunities are there if
An important feature of his experience has been in you look for them.”
the continued positive approach of the company to its
business operations, which has ensured that they have When not at work, Baylis is kept busy spending time
been able to ride out the economic downturns. with his eight grandchildren and is a committed elder
of the Glenwood Presbyterian Church in Durban. He is
“From the financial side the company has always looking forward to his retirement but will be on hand to
met its commitments positively and has been hugely
offer assistance if required.

7