How do you adequately fill the shoes of someone who has held the top post at a multinational IT firm since 2000? Simple, really: find an individual who understands the business, has leadership qualities written all over his CV and recruit that person yourself.

Now, this statement does not suggest that Riad Gydien`s recent appointment as SAS South Africa country manager was a favour carried out for a friend or former employee in the guise of outgoing country manager Bill Hoggarth. To the contrary, Gydien is highly experienced, brings a wealth of experience with him and is someone who we`re certain will make friends and influence people hand over fist.