Johan van Zyl, CEO of Cornerstone Healthcare and one of the “Power 50” for health and social care, shares his journey from mining exploration to the specialty care sector and discusses the inspiration, challenges and strategies behind the company’s extraordinary growth.
What are you doing at Cornerstone?
As CEO, I oversee the strategic direction of the organisation, so my role is to balance sustainable growth with the incredible care we provide for our residents. We run specialist nursing homes for people with challenging behaviors associated with complex neurodegenerative and mental health needs. It is a demanding yet fulfilling sector to work in.
From the beginning, we have identified this type of specialized care as an area of growth. There are currently only 5,000 beds in England with the need estimated to be three times that number. I believe the growth we’ve seen is due, in large part, to our ability to attract and retain high caliber staff at a time when the healthcare industry is experiencing an unprecedented staffing crisis.
What is the inspiration for your work?
During the turbulent 1980s in South Africa the winds of change were blowing, and I found myself involved in the transition of the informal business sector into the mainstream economy. These experiences have built my knowledge across various sectors and have given me a deep understanding of business dynamics. But it was during my time working with a neurological care provider in the UK that I really found my calling. The work we did for frail individuals with progressive neurological conditions was unlike anything I had experienced before. It was very rewarding and inspired me to consider starting my own foster care company.
Who do you admire?
It must be Warren Buffett. The man has been a pioneer in his field for decades, but what I love about him is how he never deviates from his plan. He stands strong and maintains his morals and ethics even in adversity. This focus on long-term thinking and resistance to market volatility in the short term is a wise and disciplined approach.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?
The beauty of hindsight! There are always lessons to be learned and decisions that could, in retrospect, be made differently. But you know what they say, every experience shapes us and helps us grow. The challenges we faced and the mistakes we made – they have all contributed to our journey and got us to where we are today. Therefore, I choose to embrace these experiences and use them to guide me as we continue to make a positive impact in the care sector.
The important thing is that when there was a need to change the direction of our strategies, we did so quickly and effectively. If you see a strategy fail, make sure it fails quickly, change course and move on. We’ve also found strong partners in our equity fund, Ignite Growth Investment, who never stop supporting us, making those decisions easier to make.
Also, I wish I had joined healthcare sooner as it is the most rewarding sector I have ever worked in.
What determines your style of doing business?
Doing things differently, that’s what defines my way of doing business. We strive for excellence in everything we do, but we also embrace compassion and empathy. We are not just a caregiver. We are a team of people, supporting each other and working together to create a caring environment for our residents. It is about going above and beyond, not because it is expected, but because it is the right thing to do.
What advice would you give someone starting out?
My advice is to follow your passion and believe in yourself. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. The road to success is rarely a straight line, so embrace the twists and turns and be open to learning from each experience. Surround yourself with a strong team that shares your vision and values. And above all, never forget why you got started in the first place. Let that passion fuel your drive and keep moving forward.
like Foundation stone As it continues to grow and make a positive impact in the lives of its residents, one thing is clear – Johan’s commitment to his vision is unwavering.