Meet our Strategy and Transactions Associate Partner

Janet Hwata is our new Associate Partner in the Strategy and Transactions with effect from the 1st of March 2022. In this exclusive interview, we get to know more about Janet and what drives her.

Congratulations on Associate Partner at mean for you? your EY! promotion What does to this

It is being empowered to look at my contribution at EY through a different lens which focuses not only on the service provided to our clients in Strategy and Transactions but also on the growth of the business as a whole. It is also an opportunity to participate in setting the strategic direction that is key to re-shaping how we go-to-market in the region.

What has been your career journey with EY and what other roles have you held within the business?

I started my career at EY as an Assistant Manager in 2007, joining from a boutique corporate finance firm and was subsequently promoted through the various management levels to where I am now. I have also been part of a Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee, chaired the Human Resources Committee, and was a member of the EY Africa NextWave Strategy Junior Board.

Can you tell us briefly about what you do in Strategy and Transactions?

I am part of the Strategy and Transaction team that advises companies and private equity firms on acquisitions, disposals, capital raising, mergers, postmerger integrations and corporate restructuring. I have also worked with a number of public sector entities in the region on PPPs, debt structuring and organizational restructuring.

What do you enjoy the most about your work?

The work is not routine and is complex in many ways because no buy-side, sell-side transaction or organizational restructuring is ever the same. There are many nuances in advising companies in different sectors, countries and regions. This has led to continuous growth as I have had to gain knowledge and experience in multiple sectors including banking, telecommunications, mining, manufacturing. I have also had to take time to understand some of the drivers and economic fundamentals of the other jurisdictions which I carry out work in such as Zambia, Malawi and South Africa.

Being part of an international firm often means working as part of a cross-border or international team on deals for clients across the globe which in itself allows me to continuously engage with business leaders in many countries and have a global outlook whilst understanding how our region fits into the global marketplace.

Have you seen many women in your line of work throughout the years and are there any challenges women face in becoming leaders in this area?

There are definitely more young women in the corporate finance space at the moment when compared to when I started out as an analyst. In most cases women would join corporate finance teams and leave at some point in their career for roles in accounting and finance. It was not uncommon to be the only female in a boardroom on a transaction which could be intimidating especially at a young age.

When you look at private equity, M& A, investments and corporate finance professionals now - there are many more women in the different roles. One of the main challenges that remains, however, is that it can be very demanding in terms of the many long hours required to meet deadlines as well the continuous learning given the dynamic nature of the work. That said, it is an exciting and rewarding career path and I encourage and continue to encourage women to take part. It is also not a very visible career so many young women may not know that this field exists and is pivotal to many businesses.

What have been some of the defining moments in your career?

In true doing business Africa style - spending time travelling on kombis and old trucks with CEO of one of the largest conglomerates in the world on a regional transaction and getting to the meat and bones of the operations as opposed to just the transaction. It was a true lesson on the importance of agility and humility as a leader. Leading by example as it were. The CEO’s focus was on getting to the different destinations on time, prioritization of tasks, meeting deadlines and ensuring transaction objectives were met – regardless of mode of transportation. Engaging and advising business leaders at that level was also a reflection of how far I have come in my career.

As a woman what does you? leadership mean

One of her favourite quotes?

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Leadership is leadership regardless of whether one is a man or a woman but I think the most important part of being a leader is being crystal clear on where you want to go, what you want to achieve, the resources you will require and continuously and consistently focusing on that vision while adapting and innovating. It is difficult to lead people to a destination or result that you yourself cannot envision or do not believe in. In addition, I think the role of a leader is to identify talent, harness it and develop other leaders to support in realizing that vision. A leader must also constantly be aware that in whatever role one is in there are building blocks that are necessary to ensure success but that any failures along the way can be an opportunity to innovate and bring in new ideas.

The purpose of knowledge is action, not knowledge.

Aristotle