About Us
Two university students, a garage in Kew, and a soldering iron. Nearly three decades later, that's still the same instinct running the business, we just build bigger things with it now.
It began with a soldering iron
Every business has an origin story. Ours is not a boardroom story, it is a workbench one, and it is why, as an IT support company Johannesburg businesses can still call and get a director on the phone, not a call centre.
01
A garage in Kew
Every business has an origin story. Ours started in 1997, in a garage in Kew, with two university students, a soldering iron, and more curiosity than capital.
02
One co-axial network, wired by hand
Richard Levine and Gavin Bodill were still studying when their first real break arrived: a friend of Gavin's father needed a co-axial network built for his business. They took the job, wired the network by hand, and supplied the hardware to go with it. For two students, the payday felt like something close to magic, and it planted a seed neither of them could ignore.
03
A paint recipe database, and a real business
Buoyed by that success, they took on a second project: designing a paint recipe database in Microsoft Access for another client, working out of the only premises they had, Richard's garage in Kew. The fee from that job did more than cover expenses; it gave them the capital to turn a student side hustle into a proper business. Executive Solutions was born.
04
Same instinct, bigger machine
Almost three decades later, the garage has long since given way to real offices, the co-axial cable to enterprise networks and round the clock cybersecurity operations, and the two students to directors who still answer their own phones. What has not changed is the engineer's instinct that built ES in the first place, paired with the entrepreneurial drive to turn a solved problem into a business: spot what is broken, fix it, then build something bigger out of it. That combination is still exactly how we operate today, and it is still Richard and Gavin doing it themselves.
Plenty of IT companies can promise service excellence
When a customer isn't happy, we take it personally
We are genuinely, personally invested in the businesses we serve, to the point that when a customer isn’t happy, we take it personally. That’s not a slogan, it’s why both Managing Directors put their own cell phone numbers on every email signature. If something needs fixing, you don’t get a call centre, you get us.
No call centre
Both MDs’ cell numbers sit at the bottom of every email they send. That has been true since the garage in Kew, and it is still true now, whether the job is a single login reset or a full managed IT support contract.
Growth changes plenty. Not this.
As ES has grown from two students into a managed IT company Johannesburg businesses now recognise as one of the more established names in the market, plenty has changed, but that commitment hasn’t, and it never will. No matter how large we become, our attitude stays the same: a relentless, laser sharp focus on service excellence, delivered by people who actually care whether you are happy. If you want the fuller case for why Johannesburg businesses choose us over bigger, more anonymous providers, read why ES is different.
The people behind the work
Richard Levine
Richard co-founded Executive Solutions in 1997 and serves as joint Managing Director, based in Johannesburg. Over nearly three decades he's helped build ES into a trusted managed IT and cybersecurity partner for South African businesses, staying hands-on across sales, legal, finance, and operations along the way. Outside the office, he's a busy father of three boys, a keen golfer, and wellness enthusiast.
Gavin Bodill
Gavin co-founded Executive Solutions in 1997 and serves as joint Managing Director, based in Johannesburg. Over nearly three decades he's been the technical brain of the business, designing and building the systems used successfully by our teams. He leads R&D, operations, and the technical teams, and is humorously referred to as 'the real brains of ES.' Outside of work, Gav is a proud father and grandfather who enjoys running, hiking, wakeboarding, working with his hands, and farming.
John Kinghorn
John serves as CFO of Executive Solutions and is a Chartered Accountant and MBA graduate from Henley Business School (UK). With over three decades of leadership experience across industries, including automotive, manufacturing, mining, FMCG, ICT, and professional services, he brings deep expertise in finance, strategy, and change management. Beyond business, John enjoys mountain biking, fitness, and spending time in nature.
Deseree O'Neill
Deseree has been with Executive Solutions for 18 years, long enough to have earned the affectionate nickname 'Mommy ES' from the team. As Financial Manager she keeps the numbers in order, and she also oversees HR, looking after the people behind the numbers just as carefully. Outside the office, she's a proud mother and grandmother who stays active with the gym, walking, and time in nature.
Gideon Smit
Gideon has been part of the team for 18 years. He oversees the general operations and security teams and isn't afraid to get hands-on with day-to-day IT work when it's needed. Outside the office, Gideon is a father of three and still a gamer at heart.
Marlon Damons
Marlon joined Executive Solutions in 2013 as a Field Engineer and today serves as Project Team Leader. Over his 13 years with the company, he's led projects across the business and grown alongside a team he's learned a great deal from. Outside the office, he's a proud father of two with a passion for sports and a genuine love of technology.
Stuart McDonald
Stuart joined Executive Solutions in 2018 as a Field Engineer and has since worked his way up to Service Manager, where he looks after the service desk, escalations, and overall customer experience. Outside the office, he's a general knowledge wiz and an avid gamer.
Between them, this team holds over 100 years of time served at ES.
People stay here. That continuity is why your environment is looked after by engineers who already know it.