Dr. Simphiwe is an agricultural economist who holds a B Agric. Degree in agricultural economics, a B. Inst. Agric. (Hons), an M. Inst. Agric. Degree and a Ph.D degree in economics. His work experience is drawn from various roles as an Agricultural Economist, Researcher, Provincial Programme Facilitator, University Lecturer, consultant, Project Economist, National Programme/Project Manager, author and co-author of published and unpublished reports.
His areas of specialisation are agricultural marketing, rural and agricultural development programmes, small-scale farming development programmes, Community Based Development Programmes and Programme Management, Co-ordination and Facilitation. He is a Director and one of the Founder members of Sizinzile Development Consultants (Pty . Ltd.). He served as a member of the Advisory Council to the MEC of Agriculture & Land Affairs in the Eastern Cape. He was employed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) as an Agricultural Specialist before being promoted to Project Economist and later promoted to a Project Manager for the Eastern Cape Business Unit. Later on, joined National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) as Regional Manager for Marketing in the Wholesale business and was promoted to Executive Manager: Customer Experience in the newly established Retail Division: Home Front Finance (HFF). He was promoted to Managing Executive: Policy & Research within NHFC. He later on moved to be the Project Executive: Special Projects & Resale in FNB Housing Finance. The Pension Backed Lending National Sales Team has been added in July 2016 to his portfolio. This portfolio was turned from loss making to profitability in a couple of months since taking over with the same staff complement. From 01st November 2017 joined FNB Public Sector Banking until now as Head of National Government under FNB business segment. His presence was immediately felt and effective and efficient processes were put in place and the impact was visible in the performance of the portfolio. In June 2018, he took up a position of Provincial Head for Gauteng Region within Public Sector Banking and achieved significant growth in the portfolio both through aggressive acquisition of strategic iconic clients from competitors and effective defense or retention of clients by deploying cross selling to further entrench the customers and increasing the Vertical Sales Index (VSI) which is the share of the wallet by customers indicating the number of products being consumed.
In September 2019 he moved to FNB Home Loans as Head of Client Experience in Entry, Middle and Middle sub segments and in May 2021 he was appointed as Growth Head for Middle Market subsegment whilst still retaining the Head of Client Experience role which was also amplified in June 2021 as two more sub segments Affluent and Wealthy were added and looked after Client Experience across the 5 sub segments at the Secured Lending Cluster (SLC) level. Massive records were achieved through strong leadership and execution of the strategy that turned the portfolio around literary in months. Dr continues to receive very positive feedback and his passion to solve complaints and energy displayed is for ever being highlighted with excellent compliments from clients both external and internal.
