In 1993, he graduated at the top of his class with a Master of Laws from Notre Dame University in the United States.
He quickly rose through the ranks and served as the managing director of "Stanbic Africa Holdings Limited", before working as the chief executive of the Personal and Business Banking operation for Standard Bank South Africa.
In 2013 he was promoted to joint CEO of the Standard Bank Group, serving in that role with co-CEO, Ben Kruger.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers of South Africa and an Honorary Professor at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
[8] He supports the South African government's pursuit of a middle-of-the-road free-market economy and a non-aligned geo-political path.