Errol Damelin

Errol Damelin, 43, is the co-founder and chief executive of Wonga, a digital finance company based in the UK. Born in South Africa, he now resides in North London and has previously won numerous awards in recognition of his skills in business and his success as an entrepreneur.

Wonga: innovating the world of finance

Since its launch in 2007, Wonga has grown into one of the UK’s leading and most innovative finance companies, offering unique, fast and short term financial solutions that are fully automated to private individuals and small businesses. As well as the UK, the company now operates in South Africa, Poland and Canada. In 2011 Wonga was ranked as Britain’s number one technology company in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100. In 2013, the company announced a net profit of £62.5m, an increase of 36% on the previous year, after it provided loans to more than one million customers.

Upsetting the status quo

Despite already achieving significant levels of success in what in business terms is a relatively short period of time, Errol Damelin has spoken of his desire for Wonga to grow further and continue to revolutionise the world of finance. In the same way that Amazon changed the way people shop online or how Facebook provided people with new ways to interact and connect with one another online, he too wants Wonga to become a truly world class operation to rival the biggest and most successful companies across the globe.

Always on the go

Outside of his business and professional career, Errol Damelin leads an active and busy lifestyle. An avid traveler, in his spare time he is also a keen mountain biker, skier and marathon runner. When his schedule permits, he also likes to take to part in sailing and sea kayaking.