Having been with Storm since 2014, Warren Kearns has seen the business from a number of different angles, moving through roles and now leading our South African office as General Manager.
Their role today covers a bit of everything, from keeping projects on track to supporting the team and making sure clients are looked after.
In this interview, Warren talks about the realities of running a regional office, how their leadership style has developed over time, and what it’s meant to be part of Storm’s journey for more than a decade.
How would you describe your role at Storm in your own words?
My role at Storm is really about keeping things moving and making sure the office has direction. As General Manager, I spend a lot of time supporting the team, keeping everyone aligned, and making sure we’re looking after our clients properly.
Over the last few years, I’ve also been trusted to handle most of our projects, so my role has become quite broad. Some days it’s very operational, other days it’s more strategic, but that’s part of what I enjoy. No two days are really the same.
What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities you face running a regional office?
One of the biggest challenges is simply the number of moving parts you’re dealing with all the time. You’re balancing clients, projects, people, deadlines, and whatever else the day throws at you. A big part of the job is staying calm, keeping perspective, and helping the team stay focused on what matters most.
On the opportunity side, being in a regional office means you stay close to what’s actually happening on the ground. You get a much better feel for your team, your clients, and the realities of the market. I’ve also been fortunate enough to travel extensively through Africa over the years, and that has taught me a huge amount. I’ve met some incredible people, seen different ways of working, and learnt lessons I probably wouldn’t have learnt any other way.
With everyone juggling different pressures, how do you keep your team on the same page?
For me, it comes down to communication and consistency. People need to know what’s important, what we’re working towards, and what’s needed from them. When there’s clarity, it becomes a lot easier to keep everyone pulling in the same direction.
I also try to be accessible. I’ve learnt over the years that people respond better when they feel they can speak openly and when things are dealt with honestly. You can’t take all the pressure away, but you can make sure people feel supported and clear on the way forward.
What do you think has been key to Storm’s success over the years?
I think one of the biggest reasons Storm has been around this long is that it has never stood still. The business has changed a lot over the years, and I’ve been fortunate enough to see that first-hand. It has kept adapting, kept learning, and kept moving with the times, and I think that’s been a big part of the journey.
The other big thing is the people. I joined Storm on 1 August 2014 as an Account Executive, then moved into Business Development, and later into senior management as General Manager. Going through those different roles has shown me just how much this business backs people when it sees potential. I’ve learnt a lot from my directors, and I’ve made some great friends here too. At the end of the day, businesses grow because of people.
What’s a moment that made you feel proud to be part of the business?
It’s hard to choose one moment, because for me it’s really been the journey as a whole. When I look at where I started in 2014 and where I am now, I feel proud of how much I’ve grown and how much trust has been placed in me along the way. I started as an Account Executive, moved into Business Development, and then into senior management. That doesn’t just happen by chance.
I’m also proud that I’ve been part of Storm for more than half of its existence. That means something to me. I’ve seen the business change, and I’ve changed with it. Through the projects I’ve worked on, the travel, and the people I’ve met, I’ve learnt a huge amount. When I look back on all of that, I do feel proud to be part of the business.
How has Storm changed your leadership style?
Storm has changed my leadership style a lot. Earlier in my career, I probably thought leadership was mainly about being decisive and having the answers. Over time, I’ve realised it’s just as much about listening, understanding people, staying steady when things are tough, and knowing when to back your team.
A lot of that has come from experience, but also from the people I’ve learnt from over the years. My directors have had a big impact on me, and so have many of the people I’ve worked with. Storm has taught me patience, perspective, and that relationships really do matter. I’ve definitely grown up a lot in this business.
What keeps you committed to Storm year after year?
A big part of it is the journey I’ve had here. Since joining Storm in August 2014, I’ve been given opportunities to grow, take on new challenges, and move through very different roles in the business. I’ve also been trusted with a lot of responsibility, especially around projects in recent years, and that means a lot to me.
The other part is the people. I’ve learnt a lot from my directors, built strong friendships, and had the chance to meet some really incredible people through my travels. When you’ve been somewhere that long and grown with the business the way I have, it becomes more than just a job. You feel invested in it.
What does this anniversary milestone mean to you?
It means a lot to me. Twenty years is a big milestone, and it says a lot about the people who have helped build Storm over that time. It’s a chance to look back on the journey, what the business has come through, and how many people have played a part in getting it to this point.
On a personal level, it means even more because I’ve been here for more than half of that journey. I’ve learnt so much, grown a lot, and had opportunities I may never have had anywhere else. I’ve met incredible people, travelled extensively through Africa, and built friendships that have lasted. So for me, it’s not just a company milestone — it’s something personal too.
When I look back on my time at Storm, what stands out most is how much I’ve learnt and grown over the years. I joined the business on 1 August 2014, and since then I’ve had the opportunity to grow through different roles, take on more responsibility, and be trusted with some incredibly important work. Along the way, I’ve learnt a great deal from my directors, made some wonderful friends, and had the chance to meet some truly remarkable people through my travels across Africa. It’s been a very important part of my life, and I’m genuinely grateful to still be part of the journey.