Gavin Symanowitz, an actuary, headed up Strategic Product Innovation for Investments at FNB for over 5 years. He won the prestigious Innovator of the Year award in 2008, and subsequently left the bank to found a number of revolutionary web-based businesses. One of these, GetAGreatBoss.com, was recently recognized as one of the 10 Most Promising Digital Innovations world-wide in 2009, by Netexplorateur, an international organization set up under the auspices of the French Government Ministry for the Digital Economy. The company reached the finals of SeedCamp, Europe's premier tech start-up competition, and was also internationally recognized as a finalist in The Economist Disruptive Innovation Challenge.

Gavin is a Thought Leader on the South African Innovation Network, and has been a regular finalist in numerous international open innovation competitions.

In 2005, Gavin obtained a PhD in Mathematical Statistics. He lectured formally at Wits University, and continues to lecture MBA students on an informal basis. As a member of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern African, he has developed a reputation for being able to explain difficult concepts in a simple-to-understand manner.

Gavin is passionate about innovation and how it can change the world for the better.