Page 63 - Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021

I am energised by learning and sharing my knowledge;

helping others build their own unique brand.

Head of Prestige Banking for Standard Bank and then moved into her current role in affluent markets given them those opportunities and to see them grow
KwaZulu-Natal as Head Prestige for KwaZulu-Natal. and achieve success is particularly rewarding for me.”
Nicky says that she has had an incredible journey. “I This success, says Nicky, is especially poignant when
icky Thompson has had a long career with really have witnessed the digital transformation of the individuals have come back, many years later and
Standard Bank. After leaving school, banking and how it’s evolved over many years, and I can they’ve said, ‘Thank you so much for the support or the
Nicky joined Standard Bank in 1982, honestly say I have never ever been bored. I’ve always encouragement or believing in me back then’.
Nso 2022 will be her 40-year milestone been challenged, and I am still open to learning new
Her advice to young women following in her path is
with the bank. things. Banking has changed drastically over the years,
to take ownership of your own development. “Don’t
so I think building the future ready skills that we are
”I joined the bank 40 years ago. I had just finished wait for others to do it, just be confident in yourself.
doing now and continuing the digital journey has been
school and, financially, university was not an option Be prepared to stretch and test yourself, to take yourself
very exciting for me.”
at that time. As the bank has always been considered outside of your comfort zone and just be resilient and
a very reputable organisation to work for, I remember However, Nicky’s career has not been without its be fierce.”
my dad saying, ‘go and get a job in the bank’. I have challenges. Being one of the first women on the KwaZulu-
Great customer service
been really blessed to work for Standard Bank and Natal Standard Bank Executive was very difficult as this
they have supported my growth and development.” was mostly unchartered territory in a male dominated Commenting on the demands of her role, Nicky
industry at the time. She said, “Back in those days, the believes that for her great customer service really is
Determination and hard work
bank was a very male dominated environment, and it was about treating the customers as individuals and not as
a bit of a boy’s club. So, as a woman, it was very tough numbers; really understanding what their needs are and
In her later thirties, Nicky was afforded the opportunity
to study and qualify through the bank. “This provided to be taken seriously, but when I reflect on those years, what matters to them. “That is very important, and I
I’m thankful because they made me very determined and think to treat every single customer with respect and
a platform for my strategic development, and I was
resilient, they made me really persevere and work hard dignity regardless of their appearance or their status.” In
fortunate to continue my studies through Standard
to be able to prove myself. I think that’s where I adopted addition, Nicky says it is necessary to keep customers
Bank’s continued support and investment in me,”
two different types of leadership styles. My natural up to date, and to provide them with feedback, to
explains Nicky. She built a solid foundation of both
leadership style is supportive and nurturing, so learning avoid their frustration.
financial and operational skills, working through
to be a bit tough in that environment brought through
various banking roles and found her passion for people She notes that businesses and individuals need to be
an assertive leadership style in me. I still, to this day, use
and leadership. Through determination and hard work, able to be agile, to make sure that they are building
both when necessary.”
Nicky moved into managerial leadership roles at an those future ready skills so that they remain relevant to
early age. In reflecting what has motivated her career, Nicky the industry, they remain relevant to customer demands,
says that it is ‘people and leading people to success’. “I and adapt to the changes in the environment.
Following various branch manager roles, she was
am energised by learning and sharing my knowledge;
appointed the first female on the KwaZulu-Natal Nicky is the proud mother of two lovely daughters, and
helping others build their own unique brand. My
Executive in the early 2000s, as an area manager she has a supportive husband who has encouraged her
passion is developing and growing individuals,
responsible for Personal and Small Enterprise across every step of the way. She concludes, “Standard Bank
especially female talent. It is encouraging to see how
various metro regions in KwaZulu-Natal. In 2007, is an amazing company to work for, not only for their
Standard Bank has transformed and I am proud to
Nicky moved into a more specialist role of Business investment in my personal growth and development but
work for a company that now strives to drive gender
Support and was accountable for Sales and Service also in recognising and rewarding my success through
diversity and female empowerment.”
management. However, she says her leadership calling various Top Performers awards and incentive trips to
took her back to leading and managing large teams. In Nicky has often worked closely with the teams and travel to Greece, Turkey, France and Spain. My family
2017, she was appointed as Head Personal and Business individuals that show potential. She commented. ‘You have been truly blessed through the opportunities
Banking for the Dolphin Coast and eThekwini areas have worked with them, you have coached them, you’ve created and provided.”

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