Gert Schoonbee of T-Systems SA is an ICT nation-builder that looks forward to The CEO SleepOut™
In the busy world of ICT, one would imagine the opportunity to stop, reflect on and give back to society would be non-existent. Let T-Systems SA's Gert Schoonbee dash such perceptions.
Not one to be left behind, T-Systems SA's MD Gert Schoonbee unpacks the importance of participating in The Sun International CEO SleepOut™: “It’s our first time participating but tor us, it’s really a continuation of our nation-building initiative at T-Systems, which we started a couple of years ago, where everyone at T-Systems decided to take up the responsibility and obligation to really to co-create the country we want to live in and that we want our children to live in. We decided that this event would be a great event to be associated with.”
Gert and T-Systems SA go beyond expectations through developmental initiatives they've initiated: “This event serves a reminder of the responsibility that we continue with: one of the students that will join us at the event comes from the ICT Academy, which runs from the Joburg City Centre; we take high-potential, unemployed youth and we pay a survival fee per month, so they can be able to attend our ICT Academy and we give them an internationally-recognised qualification after one year or two years.”
Gert was appointed MD of T-Systems in South Africa in 2012. He has more than 20 years of experience in the ICT Industry spanning all the key industries, where he played different roles including Solution Crafting, Business Development and Sales.
His experience in the Strategic Management of information in large enterprises assisted to shape, conclude and run large outsourcing deals with the biggest corporates in South Africa.
In 2012, Gert launched the T-Systems Nation Building initiative to ensure stronger relevance of T-Systems as a multi-national in South Africa by creating people purpose. This ongoing initiative continues to shape the cultural character of T-Systems.
Gert Joined T-Systems in August 2000. Prior to T-Systems, Gert was a director and co-owner at e-volution responsible for Business Development. Other former employers are IBM Consulting Group (2 years) and Coopers & Lybrand Management Advisory Services (2 years) Gert holds a Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pretoria, and a MBA from the Graduate School of Business of the University of Cape Town.