Sean O’Connell: CEO
Is an outgoing, independent and persuasive individual who enjoys engaging directly with people. He has successfully filled many senior business roles in IT and has a passion for leadership, people and business development. He has a significant management track record and is well known in business and IT circles, having been MD of one of the largest software development companies in the country.
He has been successful in growing a significant IT business particularly in Cape Town, with a strong emphasis on Business Process efficiency, software development best practice, skills development and strategic outsourcing. Also a professional musician well known in the Cape music industry, he has recorded several albums which enjoy airplay on national radio stations. He has played abroad and is active in building the recording industry infrastructure in the Cape.
Sean will help you transform your business, from advice on strategy through to getting his hands dirty on maximising your operational efficiencies.
Sean O'Connell | seano@abg.co.za | +27 82 450 5557
Brian Harding: COO
Has extensive management experience, particularly in the IT arena. In recent years, he has focused on marketing, business strategy and operational efficiencies.
Brian has a fundamental belief in getting the basics right and particularly emphasises the need for a cohesive strategy. He has extensive experience in organisational change, balanced scorecards and marketing, and has built strong media relationships through the years. He believes that marketing is all about alignment with your business strategy, making the right choices and making sure that you quantify a clear message and value proposition.
Brian will help you to reach your business goals through a facilitative process that will clarify your thinking, strategy and implementation.
Brian Harding | brianh@abg.co.za | +27 82 374 6196
Clydie Cronje – Director: Projects and Risk
Has been in leadership roles for most of his life and understands that discipline is paramount. Clydie believes in strong processes, that people really are equipped to do anything, and should be measured by the results of their work.
Clydie started his IT career in 1992 as a Mainframe Developer, and has progressed through the ranks into Project and Programme Management. He has managed more than 200 software development projects in his career and is currently a certified scrum master and a certified scrum practitioner, setting the lead at Airborne where all the PM's are certified scrum masters.
Clydie heads up delivery at Airborne where they currently run more than 20 concurrent projects, and has been key in implementing their SDLC and Project Office processes and controls. He believes in using the best that technology and frameworks have to offer and then tailoring that to suit your business size, needs and outcomes.
Clydie Cronje | clydiec@abg.co.za | +27 82 784 1099
Stuart Kelly –Director: Technical Solutions
An experienced software architect and software production team leader, Stuart has a significant 16 year track record in designing, producing and integrating world-class software solutions for South Africa's largest organisations.
Stuart keeps abreast of the latest directions and technologies within the software industry and believes that the best way to learn is through hands-on experience. Stuart understands modern architectures and technologies, and how designing, implementing and integrating these through the entire software production life-cycle can bring huge benefits to a business.
Well versed in structured development methodologies such as RUP and MSF, Stuart appreciates the learning taken from less structured Agile methodologies. Best practices in service orientation, workflow and orchestration, and the development process, are what keep him up at night, and applying future-focused architectures to today’s problems is one of his passions.
Stuart Kelly | stuartk@abg.co.za | +27 83 462 9528
Chris Lazari – Director: Infrastructure Services
A certified MCSE with a security specialization, Chris holds an honours degree in Business Economics. He started his career as a financial manager in software development organizations later migrating to operational roles where he headed both finance and IT infrastructure. As a result he has extensive management, financial and technical experience, particularly in the Microsoft technology stack.
Responsible for the IT management at the V&A Waterfront since 2006 and leading the Infrastructure division in Airborne since 2007 he has the ability to align your business and technology goals while also being able to keep it real (his financial background ensuring that he always gets the best value for your IT budget). Passionate about technology and the way that it can enhance your business efficiencies as well as provide a competitive edge for you in the market, he is constantly researching new technologies and ideas and is responsible for growing alternate business streams with in the Airborne IT group.
Chris will help you develop a comprehensive IT strategy and plan; help you decide what you need to do and then use his abilities and associated network of vetted partner companies, from ISP’s to Hardware providers, to implement a solution that is right for your business and budget without you needing to source anything else IT related from anyone else.
Chris Lazari | chrisl@abg.co.za | +27 83 251 8519
Anthony Peters – Director: Finance
Has joined Airborne after a 3 year stint as Executive Manager: Finance and Central Services for South Africa’s premier tourist destination, the V&A Waterfront Company, where he was actively involved in the record-breaking R7-billion sale of the company two years ago.
He is a qualified CA, having served and completed his articles at Deloitte & Touche and Ernst & Young, and then held subsequent general management and directorship positions at BoE, AECI, Glenrand MIB, Ten50Six. He is married with two sons.
He’s no stranger to Airborne and has until recently, been a strategic client representing the V&A. Peters will not only manage the financial side of the Group’s expanding business interests, but his considerable experience in business process management, business structure and risk management will be available to clients through consulting to facilitate a perfect operational fit for all future IT development projects.
Anthony Peters | anthonyp@abg.co.za | +27 82 785 5385