Riandi Maré, the Group Managing Director of VeriCred Group Holdings, is determined to ensure her business is recognised as a trusted partner for all
Riandi Maré’s journey with VeriCred began when she was just 16 years old, working in her parents’ garage where the company was founded in 1990.
Like many family businesses, there was no task too small, and her first responsibilities included folding letters, licking stamps, and capturing data.
Those early experiences gave Maré a deep appreciation for hard work, attention to detail, and the importance of every role within an organisation.
After completing her B.Com degree in 1996, Maré joined the business full-time and became involved in virtually every aspect, including accounting, payroll, HR administration, network administration, programming, and office management.
This hands-on experience gave her a unique understanding of how each part of the business contributes to overall success and allowed her to develop both the technical and operational expertise required to lead effectively.
”One of the greatest privileges of my career was working closely alongside my father, learning from his experience and gaining firsthand insight into the credit and collections industry. Through that mentorship, I developed a comprehensive understanding of the industry, from client relationships and operational management to compliance, technology, finance, and strategic growth,” Maré shares.
”When my father retired in 2010, I was appointed Joint Managing Director, with primary responsibility for finance and administration across the business. This marked a significant milestone in my leadership journey and provided the opportunity to help guide the company’s continued growth while preserving the values and culture upon which it was built.”
Following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maré assumed the role of Group Managing Director in 2020, overseeing all companies within the VeriCred Group.
The transition required strong leadership, adaptability, and a focus on innovation as the entity navigated an evolving business landscape.
”I remain guided by the same principles that shaped my journey from the very beginning: hard work, integrity, continuous learning, and a commitment to serving both our clients and our people. Having grown alongside the business for more than three decades, I am proud to lead an organisation that continues to evolve, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to South Africa’s credit-active economy,” she explains.
That commitment has led to Maré being appointed to the board of the Association of Debt Recovery Agents (ADRA) as its’ President, as well as to the Council for Debt Collectors by the Minister of Justice.
The evolution of VeriCred
The VeriCred Group has evolved into a comprehensive credit management and debt recovery business, specialising in solutions that support the entire credit lifecycle.
The core focus areas include debt collection, credit risk management, data analytics, and technology-driven recovery solutions that help clients maximise recoveries while maintaining positive customer relationships and regulatory compliance.
VeriCred has continuously evolved alongside the credit and collections industry, adapting to changing technologies, regulatory developments, and consumer expectations.
From the outset, VeriCred has believed in being at the forefront of innovation. As technology transformed the debt-recovery landscape, the entity invested in systems, data analytics, and operational processes that enabled it to improve efficiency, strengthen compliance, and deliver better outcomes for both clients and consumers.
”Our willingness to embrace change and continuously improve has allowed us to remain relevant and competitive for more than three decades,” Maré says.
”We are also proud of the role we have played in advancing the professionalism of the industry. When VeriCred started, the debt collection sector was not yet governed by the legislative framework that exists today. Through our longstanding involvement with ADRA, we have actively contributed to the development and credibility of the profession.”
As the operating environment has become increasingly complex, regulatory compliance, data protection, anti-money laundering requirements, cybersecurity risks, and the emergence of artificial intelligence all require constant attention and engagement.
VeriCred works closely with regulators, industry bodies, clients, and technology partners to ensure that they remain proactive in addressing these challenges.
The VeriCred difference
What distinguishes VeriCred is the entity’s ability to combine decades of collection expertise with advanced technology and data intelligence.
They understand that successful debt recovery begins long before an account enters collections. Through sophisticated data analytics and behavioural modelling, VeriCred helps clients improve collection outcomes at every stage of the credit journey, from account origination and early intervention through to legal recovery and portfolio management.
”A key component of our offering is Accolade, our proprietary CRM platform with an integrated dialler solution. The system has been developed specifically for the collections environment and is available as a rental solution for organisations that manage collections internally.
”Accolade provides businesses with the tools to manage customer engagement, automate workflows, monitor performance, and drive greater operational efficiency within their own collection environments,” Maré explains.
The platform also offers advanced functionality for organisations that utilise multiple external collection agencies, enabling the ethical and data-driven management of outsourced collections through detailed performance measurement, agency ranking, return-on-investment analysis, and strategic allocation models.
This allows clients to make informed decisions based on performance metrics and outcomes, ensuring that collection strategies remain both effective and accountable.
A challenging environment
The collections industry is currently navigating a complex landscape shaped by economic pressure on consumers, increasing regulatory requirements, rapidly advancing technology, and growing expectations around data protection.
While each of these factors present challenges, the real difficulty lies in finding the right balance between consumer protection, responsible innovation, and economic growth.
One of the most significant issues facing the industry today is the uncertainty surrounding the use of artificial intelligence. AI has the potential to improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and deliver more personalised solutions for consumers.
However, without clear regulatory frameworks and responsible oversight, there is a risk that these technologies could be misused.
”The industry needs sensible guidance that encourages innovation while ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness,” Maré says.
”We must carefully consider the impact of technological change on employment. We invest heavily in training, skills development, and career growth, equipping employees with valuable professional experience.
”As businesses increasingly adopt automation and AI-driven solutions, it is important that technology is used to enhance human capability rather than simply replace it.”
Riandi Maré the leader
Maré’s leadership philosophy is simple: lead by example and remain consistent.She has learned that sustainable success is not built on short-term wins, but on discipline, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
”Consistency counts, and people are inspired by leaders who demonstrate the standards they expect from others,” Maré insists.
As a woman leading a significant business, sadly, barriers are encountered. However, Maré believes that being a woman has actually given her distinct advantages as a leader–helping to break down those barriers.
”Women often bring a strong sense of purpose, empathy, and responsibility to leadership. We care deeply about the impact we make, about leading people well, and about creating opportunities for others to grow and succeed,” she states.
”What motivates me most is knowing that our work makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Even in the debt collection industry, our role is about more than recovering debt. It is about helping to maintain a healthy credit ecosystem so that responsible consumers can continue to access credit, improve their circumstances, and build better futures for themselves and their families.”
Looking ahead, Maré would like to see more women in senior leadership positions, not because of quotas, but because their unique perspectives, experiences, and leadership styles add tremendous value to organisations, industries, and society as a whole.
The future of VeriCred
Maré’s ambition for VeriCred is to help transform the way people think about debt and debt collection in South Africa.
Too often, debt is viewed as something to be feared or hidden from, when in reality it is often a natural part of life’s journey.
Whether it is financing a vehicle, purchasing a home, funding an education, or starting a business, responsible access to credit can be a powerful tool for building wealth and improving quality of life.
”The real challenge is not debt itself. The challenge is a lack of financial knowledge and confidence. As a result, they miss valuable opportunities to improve their lives and create lasting assets for their families.
”Through VeriCred’s continued growth, I want us to be known not only as a leader in debt collection, but also as a trusted partner in financial education and empowerment. I believe our industry has an important role to play in helping consumers face financial challenges head-on, understand their options, and regain control of their financial futures,” Maré concludes.