Meet Frencel Gillion — Business Leader, CA(SA), and Qualified SA Business Coach™

I’m Frencel Gillion, Chartered Accountant (SA), Qualified SA Business Coach™, and the founder of Primera Business Coaching and Primera Capital.After more than two decades working across investment banking, financial leadership, strategy, and executive management, I realised something fundamental:The biggest difference in business performance is the quality of leadership behind it.When leaders grow, businesses grow.My mission is to help entrepreneurs and business owners develop the clarity, confidence, and structure they need to lead their businesses with intention — and to bring their key people along with them.

Frencel Gillion
Frencel Gillion
BCom Acc (Hons) CA (SA)

3212
SA BUSINESS COACHES
Coach In The Corner

MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND 

Leadership, Finance & Strategy — Grounded in Real-World Experience

My coaching approach is shaped by years spent in roles where decisions mattered and execution counted.


I’ve served as:

Financial Director — responsible for financial strategy, reporting, and operational alignment.

Chief Investment Officer — overseeing investment decisions, capital allocation, and stakeholder engagement.

Investment Banker — analysing businesses, structuring deals, and guiding leaders through transitions.

Strategic Executive — leading teams, building systems, and enabling organisational performance.

This experience gives me a deep appreciation for the realities SME leaders face:
  • Cash flow pressure
  • Team dynamics
  • Strategic clarity
  • Business model challenges
  • Scaling pains
  • Leadership isolation
  • Accountability gaps
  • Growth opportunities
  • Risk, uncertainty, and transition

I understand these pressures — not from theory, but from lived experience.

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My Approach With Clients

Practical. Personal. Purpose-Driven.

Working with me means working in partnership.
I help you:
  • Clarify what matters most
  • Focus your energy
  • Build leadership confidence
  • Strengthen your team
  • Improve financial insight
  • Shift from firefighting to leading
  • Execute consistently
  • Grow with purpose
We work at your pace — with structure, accountability, and flexibility built into the process.Where necessary, we involve key members of your team so they grow with you and support the business more effectively.
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Why I Work With SMEs

SMEs Build Families, Communities & Economies
I believe in the power of small and medium-sized businesses.They shape industries, create jobs, and fuel South Africa’s future.But the pressure on SME leaders is unique — they carry the hopes of families, employees, customers, and communities.My purpose is to support these leaders and help them build:
  • Stronger businesses
  • Stronger Teams
  • Stronger Communities
  • Stronger Futures
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Meet Frencel Gillion — Business Leader, CA(SA), and Qualified SA Business Coach™


Prior to KTH, Frencel served as Chief Investment Officer at the National Empowerment Fund (NEF). Prior to that, Frencel held management roles with African Merchant Bank as Deputy Head of Public Finance and Head of Corporate Finance at Development Bank of South Africa and as Investment Director with Actis. Frencel is a former Board member of the South African Venture Capital Association (“SAVCA”). He is also the former non-executive Chairperson of Kagiso Media as well as Kagiso Asset Management and served on the Board of Juta.


Prior to KTH, Frencel served as Chief Investment Officer at the National Empowerment Fund (NEF). Prior to that, Frencel held management roles with African Merchant Bank as Deputy Head of Public Finance and Head of Corporate Finance at Development Bank of South Africa and as Investment Director with Actis. Frencel is a former Board member of the South African Venture Capital Association (“SAVCA”). He is also the former non-executive Chairperson of Kagiso Media as well as Kagiso Asset Management and served on the Board of Juta.

Frencel Gillion
Frencel Gillion
BCom Acc (Hons) CA (SA)

3212
SA BUSINESS COACHES
Coach In The Corner

About Primera Group

Frencel Gillion founded Primera Capital and Primera Business Coaching as affiliated companies to provide innovative solutions orientated business coaching and business consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses in South Africa.


Primera strives to assist businesses and individuals to thrive in a business context. Primera Coaching seeks to facilitate learning and growth of the entrepreneurs and leaders in business. We believe that competent, visionary and transformational leadership is at the heart of thriving businesses and organisations.

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Everything rises and falls on leadership.
- John C Maxwell

What do we Stand for?

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Business Planning

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Human Resources

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Start Ups

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WHAT our client SAYS

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