Judges Profile

William Surmon
Over the past 30 years, I have gained extensive experience in the Banking and Insurance Sectors working for top brands including Absa Bank, First National Bank, Standard Bank, Zurich Insurance Company, Coface and Botswana Insurance Company. I have been registered as a Key Individual and Representative with the SA Financial Services Board for both Long and Short Term License Categories. In this respect, I served in South Africa as the Key Individual for Standard Bank, Zurich Insurance Company, Zurich Life and Coface Insurance Company. In Botswana, I am also registered with NBFIRA as a Controller for BIC. During 2021, I was appointed as Chairman for the Chartered Institute of Customer Management Botswana, as well as registering the Institute of Sales and Marketing Botswana (Pty) Ltd.
Through my exposure to the Banking and Insurance Sectors, I gained core business skills including: Sales Leadership and Management, Multi-Channel Distribution, Retail Banking, Mortgage Lending, General Insurance, Credit Insurance, Bank / Insurance Partnering including Bank Assurance, Financial Services Marketing, Customer Management and Business Intelligence. I was also certified as a Master Sales Trainer, with recognition gained for performance delivery within various sales teams including Absa, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Zurich, Coface and BIC. The Bank Partnership model developed during my tenure at BIC was used as the Blueprint by Sanlam for the rest of Africa implementation.
Through my career, I have received several awards and recognition including Contact in Gauteng – Contact Centre Manager of the year 2005, SACCCOM (BPeSA) – National Contact Centre Manager of the year 2005 (Top Contact Centre Manager in SA), Absa Group Prestige Awards: 2010 Leadership, 2008 Innovation and 2003 Financial. I was also nominated for Standard Bank Stars awards in 2005 for the significant Turn Around in the Sales & Retention Call Centre.
During my professional journey, I have spoken at numerous industry events related to Customer Service, Call Centres and Sales & Marketing, having recently been invited as the opening speaker at the inaugural “Botswana Marketing Symposium” held in Gaborone in 2022.
Not only is professional growth important, but also the opportunity to serve the community. To this end I am a Rotarian, serving with the Rotary Club of Gaborone, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Customer Management and an Awards Judge with the Gender Mainstream Awards for Southern Africa.
Previously I served South Africa through my military service where I spent 10 years in the South African Armoured Corps as part of the SADF and SANDF, initially as a national serviceman (Crew Commander) with the School of Armour, and then as a volunteer reservist (Troop Sergeant) with the Light Horse Regiment. During my military service I was awarded the Southern Africa, Pro Patria and General Service Medals, earned a 1st Class Shot Rifle Proficiency, 61 Mechanised Operational Proficiency and 4 SAI Mechanised Proficiency. In 2019 when I resigned from the military, I received a Commendation Certificate from the Officer Commanding LHR for “Exemplary Service and Dedication to the Regiment”.