
12 Sep Fireblade Aviation introduces its new Finance Executive Rukayya Naicker
12 September 2023: Fireblade Aviation, a renowned leader in luxury aviation services, announced the appointment of Rukayya Naicker as its new Finance Executive. With an extensive background in finance, a passion for operations, a strong vision for growth, and exceptional leadership skills, Naicker is set to play a pivotal role in steering Fireblade Aviation towards continued success.
Naicker brings with her over two decades of diverse financial experience, having worked across various industries ranging from beer to fashion to automotive spares, and now aviation. Born and raised in the vibrant region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, she embarked on her career journey with a Degree in Accounting from the University of Natal culminating in her qualifying as a chartered accountant.
Her career trajectory reflects her pursuit of continuous growth and the willingness to embrace new challenges. Naicker’s journey led her from an initial interest in medicine to her true passion for finance. She began her professional journey as an audit manager and soon found herself at South African Breweries (SAB), where she gained a wealth of experience and was afforded the opportunity to work across all spectrums of finance and the business.
“My decision to leave the auditing profession and join the corporate world was because I believed that I had a greater opportunity to use my financial training to make an influential difference from within an organisation, from where I was able to apply my financial expertise at various levels, from sales and distribution to group accounting to shared services management within SAB. This collective experience paved the way to take on increasingly influential roles in the finance sector, including my tenure at The House of Busby and Grandmark International,” she added.
Naicker’s appointment as the Finance Executive at Fireblade Aviation signifies a new chapter in her career. “Fireblade Aviation’s commitment to inclusivity, its comprehensive service offerings, and its dedication to showcasing the beauty of South Africa are key factors that resonate with me”. Her belief in nurturing the growth of her country aligns seamlessly with the organisation’s mission, making her an ideal addition to the leadership team.
Known for her energetic, compassionate, and people-oriented nature, Naicker embodies a leadership style rooted in mentorship and collaboration. She understands the value of leveraging individual strengths to achieve collective success, a principle she holds dear in her approach to leadership.
“I think the differentiator in terms of the people that I like to work with is that they must have integrity, must be happy with what they’re doing, and must be hardworking,” she noted, emphasising the importance of qualities that extend beyond technical skills.
Leigh Kretzschmar, Managing Director at Fireblade Aviation, states: “As she takes the helm of Fireblade Aviation’s financial division, Rukayya’s dedication to continuous improvement, compassionate leadership, and unwavering commitment to growth are poised to enhance the company’s trajectory and foster an environment of innovation and inclusivity making her a valuable asset to the team.”
ENDS
About Fireblade Aviation:
The Leading Edge of private aviation – Fireblade Aviation provides world-class aviation services. With Fireblade Aviation, travelling, flying, operating, and owning an aircraft has never been easier. Based at OR Tambo International Airport, we offer a complete private aviation travel experience with a personal touch and remain the FBO that pilots prefer. Our wide range of amenities and flight services include on-site customs and immigration, private lounges and meeting rooms, dedicated pilot facilities, corporate and leisure charters, FBO, MRO and AOC services, and aircraft management services. For more information, visit: https://www.firebladeaviation.com
Media Contact:
Stacey Turnbull
SWM Communications
Account Manager
stacey@swmcommunications.co.za
+27 72 427 1680
Fireblade Contact:
Sharlenee Naidoo
Marketing Manager
sharlenee.moodley@firebladeaviation.com
+27 83 789 0386