We’re in the business of HAPPY – a passionate team with deep local and international incentive expertise. We believe in the power of people, and in building a workplace where energy, purpose, and positivity drive performance.
Meet the TIC Family
Debbie Ghillino
Founder & Chairman
Debbie has 32 years Incentive industry experience, having worked for some of the top Incentive companies in South Africa. She also has 7 years Incentive experience in the United Kingdom where she worked for leading Performance Improvement companies. Debbie founded The Incentive Company in 2015. The company have offices in the UK and Spain but staffed mainly in South Africa.
2025 Elected President of the IMA MEAPAC Chapter
2025 Elected Vice President of the IMA’s Global Connect Committee
2024 Named as one of 10 most empowering business leaders in Africa
2023 Recipient of the European Presidents award for excellence
2023 Recipient of the MEA APAC Regional award for service
Co-founder of the global Women in Incentives Network NPO (WiiN)
President of the Global Incentive Council 2013 to 2015
First African to attend the IMA for 5 consecutive years
Invited to present sessions at three of the IMA Summits on incentives from a global perspective
Has been published in numerous SA publications regarding incentive and loyalty best practice
Judge at USA and European Incentive awards
Happy Place
Walking on a non-windy beach
Super Skill
My intuition
Catharine Parsons
Chief Executive Officer
Catharine has 17 years of global Incentive and Loyalty experience, having managed international brand programmes and opened offices worldwide. She has held senior operations and technology roles, including leading large-scale system developments, and has won two European industry awards for platform innovation. Catharine was appointed CEO of The Incentive Company in 2025, where she continues to drive growth and innovation.
Achieved the prestigious Incentive Professional accreditation, issued by the Incentive Marketing Association in the USA
Ran international incentives across 5 continents
Established South Africa’s first international direct payments reward mechanism across 171 countries
Ran the countries’ longest established incentive programme for BMW FS
Ran the countries first 24 hour reward payment programme for Nokia with exceptional results
International incentive summit speaker in 2018
Respected industry thought leader
Happy Place
Fireplace + Wine + Family
Super Skill
Simplifying the complex
Debbie Ghillino
Founder & Chairman
Debbie has 32 years Incentive industry experience, having worked for some of the top Incentive companies in South Africa. She also has 7 years Incentive experience in the United Kingdom where she worked for leading Performance Improvement companies. Debbie founded The Incentive Company in 2015. The company have offices in the UK and Spain but staffed mainly in South Africa.
2024 Named as one of 10 most empowering business leaders in Africa
2023 Recipient of the European Presidents award for excellence
2023 Recipient of the MEA APAC Regional award for service
Co-founder of the global Women in Incentives Network NPO (WiiN)
Current board member of the MEA chapter of the IMA (Incentive Marketing Association)
President of the Global Incentive Council 2013 to 2015
First African to attend the IMA for 5 consecutive years
Invited to present sessions at three of the IMA Summits on incentives from a global perspective
Has been published in numerous SA publications regarding incentive and loyalty best practice
Judge at USA and European Incentive awards
Happy Place
Walking on a non-windy beach
Secret Skill
My intuition
Catharine Parsons
Chief Executive Officer
Catharine has 17 years of global Incentive and Loyalty experience, having managed international brand programmes and opened offices worldwide. She has held senior operations and technology roles, including leading large-scale system developments, and has won two European industry awards for platform innovation. Catharine was appointed CEO of The Incentive Company in 2025, where she continues to drive growth and innovation.
Achieved the prestigious Incentive Professional accreditation, issued by the Incentive Marketing Association in the USA
Ran international incentives across 5 continents
Established South Africa’s first international direct payments reward mechanism across 171 countries
Ran the countries’ longest established incentive programme for BMW FS
Ran the countries first 24 hour reward payment programme for Nokia with exceptional results
International incentive summit speaker in 2018
Respected industry thought leader
Happy Place
Fireplace + Wine + Family
Secret Skill
Simplifying the complex
Tamarin Hetherington
Client Service Director
Happy Place
In the mountains with my family, good coffee, and snacks!
Super Skill
Creative thinker with a knack for turning the abstract into actionable
Jeff Hudson
Rewards Director
Happy Place
Cooking for the family
Super Skill
Patience
Drieka Wilson
Finance Director
Happy Place
When the dots start connecting and the path forward becomes clear and a glass of bubblies
Super Skill
Connecting the numbers to what really drives the business
Rudi Cronje
IT Director
Happy Place
Going for gold and getting that parking spot right in front of the entrance
Super Skill
Turning "We have a problem" into "We have options"
Belinda Ollewagen
Marketing and Creative Director
Happy Place
Not a location but a headspace: when everything goes quiet and I can tinker, arrange, build, or shape something slowly
Super Skill
Reading the room, even when no one says anything
Malcolm Ratz
Shareholder
Happy Place
A walk in nature (with a golf club looking for a ball)
Super Skill
I can make chocolate…...disappear!
Lindi Cronje
Finance Manager
Happy Place
The bush and the calmness it brings
Super Skill
I’m a Phoenix due to my Passion and Resilience
Hanli De Coning
Head of Data
Happy Place
My TV chair and Kleinmond with my family
Super Skill
Solving complex problems while helping where I can
Megan Nitsche
Head of Travel
Happy Place
Anywhere with my family
Super Skill
Expert in turning travel ideas into reality
Israh Sait
Account Director
Happy Place
Listening to a podcast with my favourite cup of tea
Super Skill
Calm under pressure key ingredient = Optimism
Laura Blommestijn
Account Director
Happy Place
In the bush with my family enjoying the slower pace, wildlife and nature’s beauty
Super Skill
“Candid Whisperer” I tend to speak from the heart, share unexpected truths and authentic opinions
Kyle van Niekerk
Account Director
Happy Place
Sunrise on the beach
Super Skill
Dishwasher tetris
Lyndsay Gassert
Account Director
Happy Place
Anywhere that I can hear the sea
Super Skill
Organising
Melanie Strydom
Senior Account Manager
Happy Place
Being at the beach
Super Skill
Flexibility and open-mindedness
Toni Shuping
Senior Account Manager
Happy Place
A hammock strung up between two palm trees on a golden beach
Super Skill
The ability to consume large volumes of coffee in a 24 hour period
Yogen Reddy
Senior Developer
Happy Place
With my family
Super Skill
Staying calm
Janice Cele
Finance Controller
Happy Place
Where debits meet credits and drama gets reconciled
Super Skill
Master multi-tasker - juggling deadlines and dance recitals without breaking a sweat
Aiden Brody
IT Security & Support
Happy Place
Chasing sunsets with my wife
Super Skill
Fluent in human–computer negotiations
Megfira Hasen
Participant Support
Happy Place
Where creativity flows and kindness leads – surrounded by motivated people and a strong sense of purpose
Super Skill
Spotting patterns others miss – whether it’s in data, people, or strategy
Aneesah Isaacs
Senior Data Analyst
Happy Place
Little things, a good book, nature, a bubble bath, spending time with my son
Super Skill
Understanding people on a deeper level
Kate Turok
Senior Account Manager
Happy Place
Outdoors in nature
Super Skill
Planning holidays!
Rebecca Bradley
Financial Compliance
Happy Place
The tranquility of the Drakensberg or beach walks in Umhlanga – family time
Super Skill
Dedication
Kieron Tudor
Rewards Administrator
Happy Place
My vegetable garden
Super Skill
Communicating and connecting with people
Rebecca Matthews
Junior Account Manager
Happy Place
Somewhere in a forest with a magical view
Super Skill
Detail detective - Who needs chaos when you can conquer the world one perfectly aligned spreadsheet at a time
Ronan Bradley
Intermediate Developer
Happy Place
Enjoying time with friends and family
Super Skill
Being incredibly patient and doing anything with a smile
Jackie Elliott
Participant Support
Happy Place
Relaxing in the sun with a good book
Super Skill
Keeping calm in chaos
Tertia Hutton
Travel Support
Happy Place
Sitting in our braai area with my family and a big glass of Chenin
Super Skill
Staying calm under pressure
Samantha Nealon
Participant Support
Happy Place
Home on my farm
Super Skill
I speak three languages: English, Afrikaans and Spanish
Hanneke De Sousa
Participant Support
Happy Place
In the arms of the person I love – my calm in the chaos
Super Skill
Organisation with intention – ensuring every detail supports an exceptional customer experience
Deandre Burnett
Junior Account Manager
Happy Place
Hanging out with my friends – whether it's a board game, yelling at the TV during a big game, or just loafing doing nothing
Super Skill
Having OCD can be challenging, but when mixed with persistence and determination, you get someone who doesn’t stop until every detail is just right
Ché Upton
Senior Account Manager
Happy Place
Around a table that’s as full of food as it is of love and laughter
Super Skill
Turning inspiration into connection, and connection into results
Louise Brönn
Designer
Happy Place
Ontop of a mountain with my family
Super Skill
Delusional optimism. There is always a way
Stefan Olivier
Senior Developer
Happy Place
Outside in nature with a good book to read and a view to enjoy
Super Skill
Being calm and objective
Elmari Oberholzer
Senior Travel Account Manager
Happy Place
A peaceful hilltop with endless views and nowhere else to be
Super Skill
Operational Charisma
Ryan Peel
Junior Account Manager
Happy Place
Exploring the mountains and chasing the next great adventure with my family
Super Skill
Mastering new skills faster than most people can find the instructions
