Annette La Grange

HEAD: HR BUSINESS PARTNERS AT SANTAM

Annette La Grange has always admired those who know that the road to success is not built on luck and opportunity alone – it requires effort, focus and determination. ‘An entrepreneur needs to adapt and learn from mistakes. People tend to look past the sacrifices successful people have had to make to get where they are.’ Over the past 21 years, Annette has progressed through the ranks at Santam. She attributes her success to her ability to adapt. ‘Santam has been around for over 100 years so we have a business with a proven track record of sustainable growth. It is a multi-faceted business. But no business can be complacent. People, structures and organisations change. When I started out, HR served a more basic function. In today’s environment we go far beyond recruiting staff. We develop people and we develop careers. And in each step of this journey, I have had the opportunity to learn.’

Annette defines entrepreneurship as the ability to spot a need or gap in the market and then to have the courage to find solutions.

‘I once read that you are more likely to succeed as an entrepreneur if you’re motivated by helping to solve other people’s problems,’ she says. ‘Entrepreneurship involves 100% service to others.’

Annette also believes that women have an essential contribution to make in society as a whole. There are many examples of women across our country who are actively playing a role in bringing people and communities together. Annette singles out Santam CEO Lizé Lambrechts as her inspiration.

‘I am inspired by her great problem-solving skills and her ability to balance the business’s needs and people’s needs while still providing strong leadership and clear direction for the business.’

The mother of two teens, Annette stresses the vital role mothers and women in business can fulfill in educating the younger generation.

‘It is up to us to create the opportunities we never had and encourage them to work hard to create their own successful futures,’ she says. ‘Having the ability to take strong action and persist through challenges and failures is just one of the things I’ll be looking for in the Women of the Future. The winners should know what they stand for; have clear ideals and a strong sense of purpose. Above all, they must be passionate about pursuing their goals and making a difference.’

Perseverance is the secret. As with anything in life, success is achieved through commitment, determination and hard work.