The Corner Office

In this episode of The Corner Office, John Jack | CEO of Galetti Corporate Real estate, dives deep into the journey of Murray Clark | Co-Founder & CEO of Neighbourgood, a community-led living and workspace platform operating across San Francisco, New Haven, and Cape Town. Today, Neighbourgood operates 1,300+ residential units and shared workspaces across three cities, with hotel-style amenities, c...

South Africa has a 33% unemployment rate. WeThinkCode is doing something about it. In this episode of the Galetti Corner Office, we sit down with the leadership team behind one of South Africa's most important youth development organisations. WeThinkCode recruits unemployed young South Africans based on aptitude, trains them as software developers over 16 months, and places them directly into empl...

JOBURG. R200 BILLION. 5 YEARS. Johannesburg is on the edge of a comeback - and people are paying attention. In this final episode of season 3 of The Corner Office, we sit down with Helen Zille to unpack what could be the most exciting economic turnaround story in South Africa. Johannesburg breaks, it rebuilds, it breaks again, and then somehow - with the stubbornness only Joburgers truly understan...

In this episode, we sit down with Reinier van Loggerenberg, CEO of Craft Homes, to unpack one of the most unexpected trends post-COVID - the resurgence of tenants into traditional office and industrial spaces. From scaling a multi-million-rand industrial portfolio to disrupting the status quo in Bryanston with a bold red wall that went viral, Reinier shares unfiltered insights on where the market...

You can’t get complacent in property - one deal doesn’t make you untouchable, and one bad move can undo years of progress. In this episode, we sit down with Bryce O’Donnell, Managing Director of Abcon Development, the team behind major projects like Santon Gate, S&J Industrial Park, and Hertford Office Park. Bryce shares his journey, his approach to development and why understanding what the c...

In this episode of The Corner Office, John Jack sits down with Johan Steyn-AI strategist, author, and one of Africa’s most influential tech voices-to unpack what most companies get wrong about artificial intelligence. From overestimating its power to ignoring the people it affects, Johan explains why good AI starts with better business thinking. We explore how automation differs from AI, the risks...

In this episode of The Corner Office, John Jack sits down with Pineapple Insurance co-founder and CEO Marnus van Heerden to explore how humour, transparency, and modern tech are disrupting one of the world’s most outdated industries. From branding with self-awareness to reengineering the customer experience through APIs and automation, Marnus shares how Pineapple is reshaping insurance in South Af...

In this episode of The Corner Office by John Jack, John sits down with Gerald Olitzki, pioneering property developer and the visionary behind the revitalisation of Johannesburg’s inner city. Gerald shares his journey from a young attorney with a small office near Gandhi Square to becoming one of the driving forces behind Johannesburg’s urban renewal. He discusses how holistic development, public-p...

In this episode of The Corner Office, host John Jack sits down with John Walland, a legendary sports presenter and radio personality, to explore the art of broadcasting, the evolution of sports media, and the power of authentic storytelling. John shares his journey from pharmaceuticals to becoming a household name in South African radio, offering insights into what makes a great presenter, how to...

In this episode of The Corner Office by John Jack, John sits down with Braden McCurdy, CEO of McCurdy Real Estate & Auction, a leading real estate auction firm in Wichita, Kansas. Braden shares how McCurdy Real Estate & Auction has revolutionized the auction industry, leveraging technology and innovative marketing to grow from a family-run business into a powerhouse handling over 600 aucti...

In this episode of The Corner Office, host John Jack interviews Michael Baretta, Managing Director of [dot]GOOD, South Africa's leading cause marketing implementation agency. Michael shares how he built [dot]GOOD from a bold initiative—walking 3,600 kilometers along South Africa’s coastline to raise awareness about litter—into a leading for-good marketing and brand activation agency that helps...

In this bonus episode of The Corner Office, host John Jack and the Galetti team recap 2024’s standout moments and key trends shaping the real estate industry. From Cape Town’s booming property market to innovation in industrial developments, the team explores what defined 2024 for commercial real estate. They also share their biggest wins, insights into teamwork, and predictions for 2025—including...

In this episode of the SARIPA Podcast Series, host John Jack interviews Gideon Slabbert, Director at Corporate Business Rescue, on navigating the complexities of business rescue, with a particular focus on real estate implications and landlord negotiations. Gideon explains how business rescue practitioners collaborate with landlords to manage rental agreements and utilities during a distressed per...

In this episode of the SARIPA Podcast Series, host John Jack interviews Gideon Bochedi, COO of the Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation, on the pivotal role of credit insurance in South Africa’s economy and its intersection with business rescue. Gideon provides an insider’s perspective on managing credit risk, supporting businesses through economic challenges, and the evolution of Credit Guarant...

In this episode of the SARIPA Podcast Series, host John Jack interviews Gerhard Albertyn, Partner at Metis Strategic Advisors, on the complexities and strategies of business rescue in South Africa. Gerhard shares insights on defining success in business rescue, balancing stakeholders' interests, and the qualities that make a great practitioner. He also explores the evolving landscape of post-comme...

In this episode of the SARIPA Podcast Series, host John Jack interviews Aviwe Ndyamara, Director at Tshwane Trust Company (Pty) Ltd, on the challenges and opportunities in South Africa’s restructuring and insolvency sector. Aviwe provides valuable insights into business rescue, the evolving legal landscape, and the critical role of collaboration among stakeholders. He also discusses how restructur...

History shows we are capable of so much more 📈 In this episode of The Corner Office, host John Jack chats with Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist at Investec. Chris offers valuable insights into South Africa’s economic outlook, focusing on critical themes such as business confidence, infrastructure challenges, and the shifting real estate landscape. He breaks down the IMF's growth proj...

We say we’re doing great things, but then you look around and think, ‘Did someone forget to tell the roads? 👀 | The Corner Office EP. 13 In this episode of The Corner Office, host John Jack interviews Mesh Pillay, Co-founder and CEO of YW Capital, a globally renowned investment banking boutique focused on bringing international investment to South Africa. Mesh shares how his background in major b...

In this episode of The Corner Office, host John Jack chats with Daniel Levy, a serial entrepreneur who started as a commercial attorney before transitioning to the tech and media industry. Daniel shares his journey from co-founding Popimedia, where he developed groundbreaking AdTech, to leading Flow, a data-powered AdTech platform that helps brands access first-hand data and unlock revenue for aud...

"The key to success in this industry is thinking outside the box. If you look beyond traditional rental models, you'll find endless ways to generate value." - Dylan Koning, National Alternative Income Manager at Redefine Properties.    In this episode of The Corner Office, host John Jack chats with Dylan Koning from Redefine Properties about creative ways to generate income in commer...

“Property development is all about leveraging relationships, raising capital, and spotting opportunity where others don’t.” – Jeffrey Kleu, CEO of Capital Point Properties.    In this episode of The Corner Office, John Jack sits down with Jeffrey Kleu, CEO of Capital Point Properties, to discuss his dynamic journey in property development and real estate in South Africa. Jeffrey shares how he over...

Since 2008, rental prices in the industrial and logistics sectors had remained relatively flat. However, the past 18 months have seen a significant surge of 30-40%, causing tenants to struggle with these rapid increases,” says Kyle Hyam, Associate Director at Galetti Advisory.   In this quarterly bonus episode of Logistics Unpacked, Dean Wiid and Kyle Hyam, Associate Directors at Galetti Advisory...

In this episode of The Corner Office, John Jack welcomes Gary Palmer, the Founder and CEO of Paragon Finance, which offers customized solutions for businesses and property investors. Gary shares insights on the importance of credit discipline, understanding market changes, and how Paragon Finance's extensive network of funding partners helps them provide tailored financing solutions. The found...

In this episode of The Corner Office, John Jack welcomes Roger Barrow, a former Olympic rowing coach from the esteemed Barrow construction family, who revolutionised the padel sports industry post-Tokyo Olympics. Transitioning from rowing to padel, Roger leveraged his team-building expertise to launch a successful padel court construction company, focusing on prime site selection and innovative en...

In this episode of The Corner Office, John Jack welcomes Steven Brown, CEO of Fortress Real Estate to unpack real estate leadership. Steven discusses navigating pandemic challenges by focusing on logistics and rural retail sectors, emphasizing the importance of a streamlined business structure. Tune in to learn about market resilience amidst rising steel prices, increased rental yields, and the tr...