Failure isn’t the opposite of success – it’s often the path to it.
That was one of the most powerful takeaways from our recent Rolodex Day talk with Peter Armitage, CEO of Anchor Capital.
Peter didn’t sugarcoat his journey. Before building one of South Africa’s most successful investment firms, he faced major setbacks, including running a once-celebrated business that ultimately failed. He shared how being on the cover of Financial Mail felt like a victory, but behind the scenes, the numbers told a different story. The turning point? Learning to pivot, rebuild, and apply hard-won lessons to create a business that thrives.
Perhaps one of the most valuable insights Peter shared was the power of mindset. After setbacks, he gave himself a deadline: a few weeks to process failure, then a firm decision to move forward. “I woke up one morning and decided – today, I choose to be positive.” That shift in mindset, paired with his expertise, led him to build Anchor Capital – an investment empire now worth R230 billion – from the ground up.
