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About Us > Our Executive Team > Niven Pillay

Cardinal in identifying new opportunities in the markets in which Regiments Capital competes, Niven is lauded as the Company’s “Market Shaker”. With a background in Engineering, Computer Science and  Public and International Affairs, Niven is a man of great vision – and through the synergy he has with his Business Partners, Eric and Litha,  is able to turn that vision into tangible reality.

Born in Kwazulu-Natal, Niven completed his studies at Princeton University in the United States of America. Upon returning to South Africa in 1991, he started his illustrious career as a management consultant for Andersen Consulting. In 1992 Niven moved on to Standard Merchant Bank to start up its interest rates derivatives business, which, by 1994, had taken over 70 percent of the market share and ultimately led to his appointment as director responsible for derivatives. Following a short stint at Investec doing cross market structuring, Niven joined ABN Amro to establish their trading operations in Johannesburg, before being seconded to the London office to start up ABN Amro’s emerging markets derivatives business. Three months later he joined UBS in London as executive director of Emerging Markets Derivatives.

In December 1999, Niven returned to South Africa to become executive director and head of the structured markets division of WIP Capital. By 2004 Niven was ready to branch out into his own enterprise, and he established Maya Capital, focusing on business start-up funding via strategic market derivatives. This business later became a substantial part of the framework of the Regiments Capital business structure.

Executive Director

BSc - Electrical Engineering

& Computer Science (Princeton)

Niven brings to Regiments Capital his skill in what he describes as "corporate venturing". He is talented in identifying new opportunities in the markets and improving on current market products and services. He also identifies his in-depth understanding of the product space as a key value for the company – it enables him and his team to manage risks faster and better than the competition; "We can do more sums much quicker than any other bank out there," he says. Although strategy is not exclusively Niven’s domain in the business, he tends to focus on “deep” strategic issues. Yet he finds that he is always involved in current business initiatives that keep him actively involved in the running of the business.

His excitement and enthusiasm are always present yet Niven often quietly gets business done.  Opening new markets comes naturally to Niven who prides himself on his ability to improve on current market products and or services using proprietary techniques that are both intuitive and academic. These techniques allows him to understand all the inherent advantages and risks associated with a service or product offering  in a quicker and more comprehensive manner than Regiments Capital’s competitors. This affords the business the ability to introduce innovative products and services to the market “more robustly and more quickly”.

Niven believes that Regiments Capital‘s “hands on” approach makes the difference in service delivery. This way the high levels of expertise and experience amongst its staff can be delivered directly and quickly to the end user making the overall process more efficient and productive.

He is proud of his involvement in several high points at Regiments Capital, which include a new Treasury model for TRANSNET in 2005, assisting the Airports Company with its funding problems in 2006, closing a much contested deal in securing 12% in a Capitec Bank BEE Consortium, and winning the tender to develop the prized Kgoro Gateway in Sandton.

Niven has an eleven year old son Dharshan and an eight year old daughter Sayuri.  He is an avid reader of fiction (especially John Grisham and Colin Harrison), plays golf and squash.