Seriti Green has appointed Jasmin Pillay as chief people officer, strengthening the organisation’s executive leadership as it continues to grow its renewable-energy business and contribute to South Africa’s just energy transition.

The company says Pillay joins Seriti Green at an important stage in the development of the business, as its renewable-energy activities continue to grow and the organisation builds the capabilities, leadership and culture required to support that growth.

Pillay has more than 20 years of international experience in people strategy, organisational effectiveness, leadership capability and cultural transformation. Her career includes senior roles at Microsoft and Petronas Lubricants International, with experience across complex organisations and diverse international markets.

For Pillay, the opportunity combines her experience across organisations of different sizes and stages of development with the opportunity to contribute to a business with wider economic and national significance.

“What attracted me to Seriti Green was the opportunity to apply those experiences into a business that is helping shape South Africa’s future.

“The combination of growth, purpose and impact was compelling. It’s not often that you find an organisation that is building a business, creating economic opportunities and contributing to a national transition all at the same time. This felt like a meaningful next chapter for me, both professionally and personally,” says Pillay.

As chief people officer, Pillay’s responsibilities include organisational capability, leadership effectiveness, workforce planning and culture, as well as economic and enterprise development and social development.

The company says the broader portfolio reflects the relationship between Seriti Green’s organisational development and the impact of its growth beyond the business itself.

As the company expands, the skills and capabilities needed within the organisation will develop alongside its contribution to employment, enterprise development and economic participation.

“Today’s chief people officer helps shape organisational capability, leadership effectiveness, workforce planning and culture. In a growth business, the question is not simply whether you have enough people. It’s whether you have the right skills, leadership and organisational environment to deliver your strategy,” says Pillay.

Seriti Green says her experience in the technology sector has also shaped her approach to organisations navigating significant change.

During her career, Pillay has worked in environments affected by shifts in technology, business models and workforce requirements, experience that she believes has relevance as the energy sector continues to evolve.

The company says the transition taking place in energy creates new requirements for skills, leadership and organisational adaptability, noting that these considerations are particularly significant for businesses operating at the intersection of infrastructure development, economic participation and changing energy systems.

They company says they are also central to the people dimension of South Africa’s just energy transition.

For Seriti Green, the transition includes the development of renewable-energy infrastructure alongside employment, skills development, enterprise development and community participation.

The company says this is particularly important in regions such as Mpumalanga, where communities and livelihoods have historically been closely connected to the coal value chain.

As renewable-energy investment grows, the ability of workers and communities to participate in the opportunities being created will be an important measure of the transition’s long-term success.

“For me, the just energy transition is ultimately about people. Infrastructure and investment are critical, but the long-term success of the transition will depend on whether people have access to new opportunities, new skills and sustainable careers,” says Pillay.

Seriti Green says its current development activity already places significant emphasis on employment and economic participation. Across its projects, more than 1 700 jobs have been created, while the company’s job seeker and vendor platforms are helping connect individuals and businesses with emerging opportunities.

The company says Pillay’s portfolio creates an opportunity to strengthen the connection between the company’s internal organisational capability and these broader economic and social development priorities as the business grows.

Her immediate focus will include listening to employees, understanding the organisation and building on the culture already in place at Seriti Green.

This will include maintaining the entrepreneurial energy and agility of a growing organisation while establishing the structures and capabilities required to operate effectively at greater scale.

She will also focus on ensuring that people remain connected to the purpose of the organisation as its workforce and operations develop.

Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn says Pillay’s appointment strengthens the company’s ability to build the organisational capability needed for its next phase of growth.

“As our business and ambitions grow, the strength of our people, leadership and culture becomes increasingly important. Jasmin brings deep experience in helping organisations navigate growth and transformation, and we are delighted to welcome her to Seriti Green,” says Venn.