FMCG Career Commenced 01/02/1989
Personal
Hello, my name is Alun John Davies, a warm welcome to my website.
A Welsh born South African, I currently reside in Johannesburg, Gauteng province. I am a devoted husband, father, stepfather, father in-law and grand-father -- my family is my everything.
My hobbies include family time, fly-fishing, reading, gym, socialising and in between all of that, some alone time for meditation, reflection and cognitive development.
I describe myself as a humble person, kind, a perfectionist by nature, disciplined, meticulous, driven, caring, empathetic, forward thinking, tactical and strategically inclined, approachable, a people’s person, adaptable, impatient, a great listener, open minded with attention to detail targeting expectations to be exceeded.
Having initially studied a business management diploma through Damelin SA, I later attained an advanced diploma in business management [PDLP] as well as completing a professional coaching programme, both from GIBBS. I also completed a SACAP four-phased programme qualifying as a Crisis & Trauma counsellor. I commenced my career within the FMCG [Fast moving consumable goods] industry at Langeberg Foods (PTY) LTD, then still a Co-Op and my last 29 years have been spent within the Smollan Group, starting in Kwazulu Natal and then in Johannesburg for the past 22, operating at Executive level. Excluding a 2 year secondment to South East Asia, based in Bangkok, Thailand, operating across 5 countries with our then DKSH (PTY) LTD partnership, I have been based in Johannesburg leading various national businesses. My experience in working with numerous international and national partners, has been honed across majority of the FMCG product categories including groceries, perishables, general merchandise, liquor, confectionary, catering & OOH, industrial, beverages, cigarettes, stationary, luggage, baby, healthcare, pet food & care and automobile to mention some.
During 2017, I had the absolute pleasure in representing my Group with the Partners In Possibility Programme where I, for 12 months, collaborated with Matlapaneng Primary School In Randfontein. This included the development, coaching, mentoring and counselling of the Head Mistress and her Staff including strategic and tactical implementation of processes culminating in a continuity business plan to sustain commercial and funding channels from within the community and corporate business. This programme’s success proudly led to the school and me being honoured with the Partners For Possibility Ambassador Award at our annual Group event.
Years of FMCG
Experience
Years in Executive
Leadership
Formal Years in Executive Coaching
Formal Years in Executive Mentoring
Corporate Career
I have had the privilege of leading national structures within most trade sectors, including again traditional retail, wholesale, franchise, liquor industry, non-foods and the on & off consumption markets and distributors. Having been accountable for numerous national structures I have gained general management skills across operations, distribution, commercial & financial, legal, HR, IR, budgeting & forecasting, strategy, varying business planning & initiatives and have been instrumental over the 29 years in developing and nurturing our talent pool, creating promotional opportunities as our Group expanded within South Africa and Africa. I have been part of our Groups selected panel for the past 5 years in providing formal coaching and mentoring to our executive, senior and middle management Teams.
As CEO, my last position from 2019 to 2022, I had the pleasure of leading our Groups Associated Business partnerships where I was a member of that subsequent operating board, leading general merchandise businesses during the global Covid pandemic which proved extremely beneficial in terms of leadership attributes albeit they were challenging years.
Over the past 36 years, I have gained an extensive understanding and appreciation of the South African market, the people who operate within this ever-changing landscape, the stakeholders who continue to innovate and evolve as they navigate these, at times, unkind conditions and the consumers who hold the key to one’s successes or failures. Relationships formed over the years are priceless and are instrumental in this arena of survival.
A New Journey
On the 21 September 2022, on route to work I was shot in an attempted hijacking, my world and that of my family, especially my wife and daughter, changed forever. An extended period of multiple surgeries, unexpected complications and challenges and severe trauma treatment commenced. I was very fortunate to survive and remain forever grateful and humbled to the medical fraternity, family, colleagues and friends who were always there to encourage my recovery. It was then that I decided to change my life and focus on what was most important. I exited the Group taking early retirement and decided to follow my heart which was to give back to the industry that had given me so much. My personal health, well-being and mental state, including that of my wife’s, is what matters. After a full recovery, I now want to share my wealth of experience including around this topic as I have learnt many invaluable lessons that are key to business, staff development and staff well-being.
Hence, I have started my own business. It is time for me to not just make a difference but a lasting change to people lives. A career spanning over 36 years, with extensive exposure and responsibilities has positioned me successfully to make the impact required for others to benefit from. My knowledge across multiple business platforms, strategic expertise and varied operating dynamics, my ability to work with most behavioural traits and my passion for people enables me to sustain positive results.
My innate desire to help others, to nurture, mould, stretch and challenge and to create thought provoking scenarios, delivering beneficial results whilst creating an environment of trust, care, loyalty, belief, transparency, safety and confidentiality, drives me every day.
I would genuinely appreciate an opportunity to engage with you and to accompany you on whatever journey you are on. I will ask the unimaginable and reach deep into your creativity to determine what you may not yet have considered.
