Full Name: Carey van Vlaanderen

Position and Company Name: Group CEO of 4D Innovations Group, t/a ESET Southern Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Advanced cyber-solutions for businesses and individuals

Date and Place of Birth: September 1980, in Cape Town

Schools and Tertiary Education: Wynberg Girls’ High School and the University of Cape Town, from which I graduated with a BCom (Hons) in Information Systems

First Job: I worked as a waitress during my university years and as a personal assistant for Sport England while travelling in London. My first real job was with 4D Digital Security, the group’s first company, which we started in a garage in Claremont, Cape Town

Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month

Career Path to Date: My professional journey began in 2003, when I joined current 4Di Group founder Justin Stanford at 4D Digital Security. For six months, I worked closely with him, conducting security audits from the garage. I then spent the rest of the year travelling, across Asia and the UK. I returned to 4D Digital Security in 2004, when the group acquired the distribution rights to NOD32 (now ESET) software products, and we moved into an office block in Rondebosch. Over the next five years, I held multiple roles at ESET, eventually becoming COO and helping grow the company from 2 to 19 employees. In 2009, I took a seven-month round-the-world sabbatical. On returning in 2010, I was appointed CEO. Today, we sell in 23 countries, and work with over 2 500 active resellers

Number of People under Your Leadership: 50

Management Style: I lead with clarity, kindness, and integrity. I believe that strong leadership is built on trust, transparency, and ethical relationships, where setting clear expectations will create an environment where people feel valued, empowered, and supported to do their best work

Personal Best Achievement: My children

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents, who shaped the values I live by, from resilience and kindness to the importance of family and hard work, and my husband, who has been a constant source of support, perspective, and encouragement

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The founders of the business, Justin Stanford and Erik van Vlaanderen

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: My grandfather, who passed away during World War II

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: My paternal grandmother, who founded an advertising company in the 70s, succeeding in an industry and era where being a woman in business was rare and difficult

Philosophy of Life: Be clear, but always kind. I try to approach life with perspective and remind myself that very few challenges are truly insurmountable. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and that sense of grounding influences both my personal and professional life

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting out in a garage, with little certainty about where the journey would lead

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my father at an early age

Hope for the Future: My hope is to continue building skills, strengthening the team around me, and creating opportunities for growth

Favourite Reading: I enjoy all kinds of fiction. Nonfiction has its place, but fiction is where I switch off and recharge

Favourite TV Programme: A mix of light-hearted and immersive storytelling – from the humour of Schitt’s Creek to the drama and escapism of Bridgerton, Outlander and Yellowstone

Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi, pizza, and burgers are all favourites, depending on the mood. Coffee is essential, and a draft is always a great way to unwind

Favourite Music: South African rock

Favourite Sport: Hockey

Hobbies: Spending time at the beach, walking, playing hockey, and jogging

Car: A practical seven-seater Volkswagen Multivan to make sure there is always room for the children and friends

Pets: Our wonderfully crazy Beagle, Milo

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Unethical behaviour and people stopping in the middle of an intersection in heavy traffic

Married: To Anton van Vlaanderen (4Di Capital)

Children: Chloe, 13; Jake, 9

Clubs: WPCC