#BehindtheSelfie: Attish Harichunder, CFO at Grey South Africa
Tell us a bit more about yourself and your role.
My role as chief financial officer at Grey involves partnering with the CEO to bring his vision for Grey to life and building a profitable and sustainable business.
What’s really behind your mask - literally and figuratively speaking?
A chilled personality with a big heart. I can be firm when I need to be.
Growing up, what did you want to be?
I wanted to be as successful as my dad and I wanted to be a company owner or run a large organisation.
How did you end up in the industry?
When I worked in KPMG’s Deal Advisory business, some of the deals I was involved in was on Publicis’s multiple business acquisitions in SA. That gave me insight into the ad industry. A couple of years later I was invited to interview at JWT, got the job as finance manager, and then got promoted to finance director within six months of joining them.
I then moved to TBWA where I was the global finance lead on the Standard Bank account and then global finance lead pitching, negotiating, and winning the MTN account across Africa and The Middle East.
What excites you most about your career?
There are lots of opportunities for CA’s across all industries in finance and operational roles. I have had the pleasure of working across various industries including auditing, gambling and entertainment, advertising, business advisory, private equity and corporate finance, etc. Building profitable and sustainable businesses.
What has been the highlight of your career?
I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the smartest and business savvy executives in South Africa and internationally who have contributed to many highlights in my career. One that stands out is winning the MTN account for TBWA after much head-butting and financial negotiations with their team that took almost a year to bed down.
When you’re not busy working, what do you do? How do you socialise these days?
I like my alone time to recharge and, in this time, I meditate and regain focus. I spend most of my time with my fiancé and we often explore our culinary skills at home when we are together. We live in different cities and enjoy entertaining at home when we are together. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Covid brought into perspective what is important in life.
What are you watching/reading/listening to at the moment?
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson and Sapiens – A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
What’s your favourite gif?
Homer Simpson disappears into the bush. It often reminds me of people I know that have that kind of personality.
What does 2022 hold for you?
Lots of success and growth work-wise, professionally, personally, and spiritually.
