Acuity Consultants

Gary Silbermann | Recruitment Director

gary@acuityconsultants.jobs

Making people feel better is in my bones, which is why I studied Physiotherapy and Psychology at University.

On completing my degree, I then moved to the UK – was running away from being conscripted into the army – where I lived for 22 years. I worked in Private Practice before opening the UK’s first rehab clinics within the UK’s first sports center. I was then appointed as a Consultant for two Premier League football sides, ironic as when it comes to football, I can take it or leave it.

From there I founded a Spinal Rehabilitation Clinic on London’s Harley Street which made me feel ever so important, but the truth is that it didn’t make me happy. So, I left the medical profession after 16 years and bummed around the world for a couple of years.

By chance (like many others) I fell into IT Recruitment, working for the world’s largest recruitment company, and climbed that greasy poll for several years.

My wife, kids, and I then, on a whim, decided to move to the best city in the world, Cape Town, and we’ve never looked back!

Here at Acuity Consultants, I am a Managing Partner and have the titles of Recruitment Director and COO. But really, I am a hands-on Recruiter through and through, where I’m committed to helping people and making them feel better. I guess I’ve come full circle.

Honesty, trust, and ethical practice is everything to me in building life-long relationships.

In my spare time you will find me walking my dogs or slogging it out on the squash court.

Ashleigh Graham | Principal Recruitment Consultant

ash@acuityconsultants.jobs

After graduating with my Honours in Organizational Psychology , the opportunity to join Acuity and start a career in recruitment came along. At the time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into but looking back over the past few years, I have learnt that to be successful you need dedication, perseverance and LOTS of luck!

Outside of work I am a fitness freak who loves competing in many races around the country – I guess you could say my dream is to become a full-time athlete, but this may upset my boss (who also happens to be my training partner) A LOT! On the weekends you will find me riding my bike around the peninsula or running the beautiful trails in Cape Town. I also love spending time with my friends and travelling around the world – this too is something I would love to do full-time, but I may need to make a hell of a lot more deals to reach this one!

Andrea Williams | Data Specialist

andrea@acuityconsultants.jobs

I consider myself a socialite, always out and about with friends enjoying life to the fullest , or to as much as what my bank account can afford. I enjoy attending events and dancing the night away to the different genres of music. I don’t see myself as a typical “girly girl” and have always been bit of a “tomboy” since I was young, I enjoyed camping and any form of outdoor activities, whether it be on land, sea or heights, you name it, I’m up for it.

When I’m not out and about with friends , I like nothing more than spending time with my “Fur-babies”, my two dogs and my cat are my life and cuddling up with them watching a good movie (mostly Fantasy/Science Fiction, like different Marvel movies) or any form of Anime is always a good way to end my day (and yes I said Anime).

Marja Kleynhans | Operations Manager

marja@acuityconsultants.jobs

I grew up in a small town and after finishing school I quickly realised that my opportunities would be somewhat limited there, so I decided to trade the country life for the big city life that Cape Town had to offer. Throughout my career , my work has always been focused towards admin and making magic behind the scenes (which is where I prefer to be!). I have worked in many different industries and I have to say that the recruitment world is by far the toughest environment , where persistence is key!

It has been an exciting journey to see the business evolve and grow over the last couple of years – many of the colleagues I work with have been here since the beginning of my Acuity journey, which is testimony to our company’s culture! Outside of the office, I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. I believe in switching things up and trying new activities/challenges – this is the way I like to live my life; accepting all challenges that life throws my way and growing as a person! Recently , I have learnt how to surf, I tackled my very first Triathlon (which was daunting to say the least) and completed a 200km road race! I have no idea what this year may bring but I do know that I will be returning to the waves (I am a surfer chick at heart!).

Philip Boltt | Principal Recruitment Consultant

philip@acuityconsultants.jobs

The first thing people usually ask me is where I get my accent from (I am told I roll my R’s and pronounce mirror like a North Yorkshireman, as in “Mrrrrrr”), so let’s get that out of the way. I was born in Zimbabwe, spent my childhood in Namibia where I attended German schools and lived in South Africa (Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town) for 15 years before settling in the U.K., which should go some way to explaining the mishmash of sound coming from your phone.

When not recruiting software developers, you will find me undertaking one of my many DIY projects (yes, the same ones I have been busy with for the past 6 months) or landscaping (the manlier version of gardening). I am the epitome of a family man (think Phil Dunphy from Modern Family) and love nothing more than spending time with my wife and two children.

I have been in recruitment for the past 12 years and although I enjoy the work, I think I sometimes take it a little too seriously. If I had to choose another profession and money wasn’t a factor……. I would be a blacksmith (don’t try to form a link between the two, there isn’t one).

Cara Schickerling | Principal Recruitment Consultant

cara@acuityconsultants.jobs

I officially made the “GROOT -TREK” from Jol-Homies-burg five years ago , leaving behind the Traffic (or so I thought) , Smog ( yes the air in Cape Town is cleaner) and just general Negative Vibe (Cape Town has the mountain of all mountains which of course radiates positive vibes) for the land of Wine , unaffordable Property Prices and Hipsters (even though I am happily married to one).

Mother of Dragons( well two cats) , Keeper of Secrets( unless it’s really juicy – kidding) and Social Butterfly ( This whole “having a job” think is really getting in the way of me living my best life) , eight years on and one degree later , recruitment still has my heart even if I do spend a large portion of my day researching my next holiday.

Lindsay Cowan | CEO

lindsay@acuityconsultants.jobs

Did I ever think I’d be running a recruitment company? Answer, NO! I started life washing dishes in Spain, selling water coolers in the UK and even had a stint as a terrible five a side football player (2 matches) which resulted in a broken arm after accidentally tackling my own teammate! I quickly acknowledged that I wasn’t suitable for any of the above and pushed forward with a career in IT before later returning to South Africa with my family in 2010. It’s important for me to use the word “returning” in this bio as it doesn’t matter how many times I tell my friends I was born in South Africa, I am still accused of being a walking, talking Pom! Hilarious and totally untrue, I think…

Fast forward to today and I am proud to be the CEO of Acuity. It’s been a tremendous journey – not only do I have a fantastic team at work, I am exceptionally lucky to have an amazing team at home also. My wife is unquestionably the brightest and kindest person I know, and I am a very proud father of two amazing/demanding kids. Between a full-on work and home life, I enjoy all things outdoors and can be found regularly pounding the tar running or cycling, in preparation for the next competition in SA or overseas. I am at my happiest when I cross the finish line and can celebrate with an ice-cold beer!

Nick Luiz | Recruitment Consultant

nick@acuityconsultants.jobs

Like most of my counterparts, I fell into this industry and after having gained valuable insights into Health, Oil & Gas, and the Engineering industries across EMEA and South America, I found most at home when working with those in the IT industry.

On the other hand, when I’m not hard at work or eating my staple, Chicken & Rice, you’ll most likely find me in the gym or around anything with a motor! Most weekends I’m either with the guys working on cars or racing (legally). Besides that, my weekends are generally about watching English Football and relaxing in front of the TV (well, trying to).

Kashiefa Van Der Schyff | Senior Recruitment Consultant

kashiefa@acuityconsultants.jobs

I’ve always had a great love for science, even though I wanted to become a lawyer when I was younger (I guess I watched Law & Order and Ally McBeal too much). I completed a BSc in Chemistry in 2013, but funny enough I didn’t go onto pursuing your typical career as a Chemist.

Fast-forward 5 years and my passion is not just to help people find their next job, but to also help change lives through technology.

I am a lover of sci-fi, sushi and am quite the avid baker & cook. I haven’t been on MasterChef yet but I’m getting there… In my spare time you’ll find me outdoors with my favorite person and mini-me, my son.

Bee Fredericks |  Recruitment Consultant

bee@acuityconsultants.jobs

I grew up thinking Civil Engineering was the industry to be in, because of my passion for Mathematics and Science. Oh boy, was I wrong! Recruitment is definitely the space that makes me feel at home (because of my bubbly personality). IT recruitment is even better! It’s not often you meet someone who loves sitting on the phone for hours with a tough developer because you believe in matching the right people with the right jobs 😊

Aside from all of that – Camping, 4x4ing, Overlanding, Photography, blogging, adventure, family, animals and nature are my favourite escapes outside of recruitment. I’m a mother to a not so little daredevil (scary at times) and two adorable rescue cats – Keana (Domestic) and Pastor Geezmo (Persian), not forgetting being married to someone that believes in me way more than I do!

Tristan Ewing | Social Media & Content Manager

tristan@acuityconsultants.jobs

Aside from the daily grind, you’ll generally find me at home channelling my inner Jamie Oliver, cooking up a storm in the kitchen by finding new ways to improve my ultimate pasta sauce recipe or experimenting on new Tech projects that will make everyone’s (mostly mine) daily lives a little easier. On the weekend, I’ll be in my usual spot, the designated Family Braai-Master, around the fire with a beer in-hand, shouting at the ref on the TV because “THAT SHOULD’VE BEEN A PENALTY!”

Apart from that, you’ll notice I’m STILL talking about fulfilling my dream to be a Rockstar Bassist in a fringe band, but once I’ve brought myself back down to reality, I’m generally dreaming up new projects for the house whilst inadvertently killing all the plants I’ve tried to take care of.

But in the end, I wake up every morning and work hard to make sure my cat is living her best life!