Born and raised in Nairobi to a modest family, Joseph Thuku, 31, has always believed that education is the only way to success in life. His parents had from an early age instilled in him the importance of education and sacrificed significantly to ensure that his siblings and him got the best that they could afford.
The SGA Group financial controller and board secretary, who is an Alliance High School alumni, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Chartered Accountant being a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). He also holds a post-graduate Diploma in Law.
As a child, life for Mr Thuku was always full of curiosity and adventure. As a student, he enjoyed playing soccer, his favourite sport. He also participated in swimming and music competitions in high school. He is currently pursuing an MBA and company secretarial qualification.
He spoke to the Nairobi Business Monthly on his current role working as a legal and finance professional at SGA Security Group in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda as well as on the journey to where he is currently.
What’s unique about your career journey?
My first work engagement was an accounting internship earning an allowance of Sh15,000 at one of the project offices of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under their EnDev Program. My initial job was reviewing payment vouchers for field staff. Due to my attention to detail, I was tasked with more complex reconciliations which resulted in the extension of my internship.
Subsequently, I got flexible consultancy assignments to help with financial reconciliations and was later seconded to the Country Head Office of GIZ. I did these internships and consultancies during my holidays and free time while studying for my law degree.
What was your biggest break?
My big break was when a vacancy for a full-time accountant role arose at the GIZ’s Country Head Office. However, my application for the role was rejected because they observed that I was overqualified; that I had great talent and the role would clip my wings. I was encouraged to complete my law degree and set my sights higher. Of course, I was severely dejected at the time, especially because the role had a lucrative starting salary (at least through my student lenses). Upon completing my law degree, I was accepted into a graduate trainee program at Deloitte in Kenya, which then propelled my career. I am forever grateful to the team at GIZ because they made me believe that I was destined for great things and did not let me settle for anything less.
The extensive work experience that I gained while still studying provided a competitive advantage against my peers as I formally entered the job market.
How have you progressed over the years career-wise?
I have been blessed with a very accelerated career trajectory in all roles and organisations where I have been employed.
At Deloitte Kenya, I grew through the ranks as an Auditor before I was headhunted for a role at my current employer to support the Group CEO and Chairman and the Board of Directors at SGA Security Group. Barely 2.5 years later, I was appointed as the Group Head of Finance at SGA Security.
Admittedly, I have had a steep learning curve throughout my career requiring me to rapidly learn and adapt as I have always been outside my comfort zone.
What do you remember most about your career journey?
The most memorable part of my career journey is the people I have worked with. We spend a lot of time and effort at work, which makes one’s colleagues a second family. We have shared a lot of joys and lessons with my colleagues throughout my career.
Many of my senior colleagues have taken interest in becoming my workplace mentors (whether directly or indirectly); investing plenty of time and effort in my training and development, for which, I am forever grateful.
What has been a key driver of your growth? Lessons learnt, celebrations and failures, Attitudes, habits, principles etc.
There is an author who stated that you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, which challenged me to spend more time reading material from brilliant minds. The great mentors and cheerleaders in my life have also pushed me to be better.
Through the job rejection that I mentioned earlier, I was able to appreciate my strengths and the resulting career opportunities. Therefore, I re-focused my energy to capitalize on these strengths and take advantage of the opportunities.
Additionally, I learned, early in my career, that one is promoted for what one can do and not what one might do. Therefore, it is key to not just do one’s job but demonstrate next-level skills and performance.
Who are the people or relationships that you can single out and say were useful in your career growth and how did they influence your trajectory?
Over the years, I have become an avid reader of personal development. These books have broadened my mindset and challenged me to aspire to greatness. It is said that there are no challenges that someone else has not already gone through and possibly written a book on how to solve. Through reading, I have been able to learn and develop positive attitudes and behaviours that are critical to career success including the seemingly simple skills of getting along with others which is critical in getting things done in all spheres of life.
In all the organisations that I have worked at, I have had great managers who have been gracious to recommend me for brilliant opportunities. In one instance, I returned from a work sabbatical and was not only accepted back but was also promoted on account of my past track record. In other instances, I have been unknowingly recommended for exciting roles within and outside the organisations on account of my manager’s recognition of my talents. In such instances, I have had an even bigger impetus to excel in the new roles because of the desire to live up to the standards/expectations that others place on me. In this regard, I am grateful to my current boss at SGA Security, Mr. Jules (Group CEO and Chairman), and the members of the Board for their continued support for my career.
My personal mentors in my life (including my parents) who have shared career guidance and advice, which has played a pivotal role in many of my career choices.
Key decisions you might have taken along your career?
I decided at an early stage to pursue qualifications in two key professions, that is, law and accounting with the guidance of my mentors. I am an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Chartered Accountant. The pursuit of both professional qualifications almost simultaneously was quite challenging. For instance, I had to take a sabbatical from my job for seven months to complete my Advocates Training Programme to qualify as an Advocate of the High Court. This rare multidisciplinary background has enhanced my perspective and professional value thus curving a professional niche for myself. The breadth of my roles at SGA is a testament.
What is your leadership style?
I view myself as an aspirational leader who views things in terms of ideals and endeavour to help my team to not only aim at these ideals but also achieve them. I am a product of this in the areas that I have worked and I feel that it is my duty as a leader to help my team be the best version of themselves.
Involving my team in decision-making and problem solving is very important to me hence I empower them accordingly. Each team member brings a valuable contribution to the team and I often learn from them.
Your current role and scope of role?
As the Group Financial Controller and Board Secretary at SGA Security Group in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, I report to the Group CEO and Chairman. I sit on the boards of directors of all the Group entities to provide financial, strategic, and administrative guidance and support.
I lead the finance function with a team of up to 50 staff spread across the various countries of operation. My team and I work with all business leaders to help them achieve the organisations.
What would you tell your younger self?
Knowing what I know now, I would have started seeking and gaining relevant work experience as soon as possible. I would dare say even as early as high school or soon thereafter. It is never too early to start. Relevant experience is invaluable.
What would you recommend to the youth in Kenya?
To the youth – take charge of your careers. We have all it takes to be all we want to become. So do not wait until you get that dream role or promotion to start being your best. Start being the best where you are, and the roles will come to you. Success is a habit, not an event. Be ready for opportunities. Seize opportunities when they come. Create opportunities when you can.
What has Covid-19 taught you?
Covid-19 has taught me the value of preparation and adaptability both at a personal and corporate level as some bad/negative things will happen beyond your control. I also learned that depending on your attitude, hard times may come to make you better.
It also taught me the value of good health. One can have everything but if you are in bad health, it may all be meaningless to you. I see the value of eating healthy, keeping fit, and taking regular health checks.
What keeps you awake at night?
The desire to have a significant positive impact in everything that I do. Therefore, one of the things that keep me awake at night is the question of whether I am delivering the best outcomes and how I can do better for my company and all its stakeholders.
Additionally, I am sometimes kept awake by some of the major challenges and decisions that I must address in my role in a multinational corporate environment.
Future plans?
I look forward to making an even greater positive impact beyond East Africa and eventually globally through my life and work. This means that I will continue evolving and growing my skills, experience, and knowledge. I look forward to what the future holds for my career.
What do you do during your free time when you are not working?
Travelling, hiking, mountaineering, and being in nature in general. Notably, in 2022, I got to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru the first and fifth highest mountains in Africa respectively.
I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Given a chance, what is that one thing that you would change in your life?
Other than the fact that I would have started some things earlier I really cannot think of anything else that I would change. I think I am greatly blessed.
Did the community add something to your career growth?
They say that it takes a village to raise a child; similarly, my career path is not only the product of my efforts but an entire community of people who have graced my path.
