PEOPLE - ROBUST MAGAZINE GETS TO KNOW KERUSHA REDDY AND ROBYN
WHAT CAREER MILESTONES ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF HAVING ACHIEVED?
It was a great opportunity to be appointed as Group Reporting Financial Manager at Murray & Roberts. This has allowed me to work with driven, talented people across the business as well as to grow and challenge myself.
It also afforded me the opportunity to work with an incredible team who are always willing to pull together in achieving our goals. I feel very privileged to be in the role I find myself in and am very excited for the future!
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
In an environment where financial standards are continuously changing, we have to learn to rapidly adapt to these changes as they occur. My role is also deadline driven with a responsibility to provide quality and accurate information. Thankfully, I am part of a team who make this responsibility a reality.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
The finance industry is always evolving which presents opportunity to be part of and contribute to its improvement. It is interesting to observe companies that are differentiating themselves and making strategic decisions. Being part of the finance team at Murray & Roberts allows me to gain insight into our strategy and drive towards Engineered Excellence.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE?
Would being a junk food addict be an interest? Just kidding… I love taking part in Indian classical dance and reading a good novel during my spare time. I enjoy socialising with my friends and incredible family.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I have an extreme fear of heights! It can actually bring me to tears.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My first job was tutoring Kumon, which is a Math and English study programme developed by the Japanese.
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER JOURNEY TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW AT MURRAY & ROBERTS?
I completed my studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, and thereafter began my articles at PwC, specialising in private company audits. After my articles I went on secondment to Michigan in the United States for three months. It was an eyeopening experience which really enriched me as a person.
On my return to South Africa, I stayed on at PwC in a managerial role in the energy, utilities and resources division, until I joined Murray & Roberts in Group Reporting.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I grew up in a small town called Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal.
WHAT CAREER MILESTONES ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF HAVING ACHIEVED?
Being appointed as the Group Risk Executive. I look forward to playing my part in realising the strategic plan for Murray & Roberts by working with role-players across the
Group in identifying, highlighting and addressing the threats and opportunities we face.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
The world is facing a time of heightened global uncertainty and rising popular discontent with the existing political and economic order. Risk management cannot be complacent or a tick-box exercise as we need to continuously analyse and evaluate the risks to achieving our plans, be they at a project, platform or Group level.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
The risk landscape is changing at a rapid pace and risk management needs to evolve to be able to respond to these changes and become a performance enabler.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE?
I believe in building memories, especially with the ones we love – I travel, try out new restaurants and activities, hike, read and attend theatre.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Just because you don’t know how, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Growth comes from moving out of your comfort zone.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I enjoy watching Marvel movies.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Quality assurance at Liberty Life.
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER JOURNEY TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW AT MURRAY & ROBERTS?
I have made a number of career changes in my life, working part time in telesales while in university, in quality assurance at an insurance company and teaching. I joined Murray & Roberts in 2005 to train the financial modules during the JD Edwards ERP implementation and moved into the risk department in 2011. Since then I have been given more responsibility as I gained experience and learnt more about the Group and the function.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
