Skip to main contentChris Muller
Role & Responsibilities
Primary role: Chief Technology Officer
Chris is charged with leading the Solutions Department as CTO, while also heavily involved as a lead software engineer and solutions analyst.
Background
Chris is born-and-bred in Durban, South Africa. After studying a BSc in Applied Mathematics & Economics, Chris went on to eventually complete a Masters in Economics at UKZN. At the time he had little passion for Economics and wasn’t keen to get into the industry. In early 2014 an opportunity came up for him to join a family business ALT, which was the beginning of a long start-up journey co-founding AdvantageLearn.com & Salt.
Personal
Chris loves to be fit and active, primarily: running, kayaking and doing yoga. If there’s an event to organise or a social occasion to be part of, Chris will almost certainly be there and be a key participant. A dream of Chris’s was to be a digital nomad and he realised this dream in 2018 traveling and working in Spain, France, Mauritius, Bali and South Africa.
Paul Schoeman
Role & Responsibilities
Primary role: Software Engineer
Paul assists with the creation and maintenance of the various Salt digital apps. As a mid-level developer he supports the senior staff and is involved in the onboarding and growth of junior staff.
Background
Paul was born in Durban and, apart from a few extended travels, has happily lived there most his life. He graduated from UKZN with an Honours Degree in Economics and proceeded to work the corporate life in the KZN sugar industry for nearly a decade. After a much needed change Paul did some travelling, dabbled in a few diverse careers such as graphic design and teaching, but ultimately returned to his interest in technology and a career in web development at Advantage Learn in 2020.
Personal
Paul is a man of simple pleasures and tastes. In his down time he prefers to be away from screens and getting into nature of any sort, but preferably mountains or beaches. He enjoys staying active, time with friends and family, and wondering about what exactly is going on.
Blake Merchant
Role & Responsibilities
Primary role: Trainee Junior Software Engineer
Blake assists with the creation and maintenance of the various Salt digital apps.
Background
Blake grew up in Durban, South Africa, and joined the team as an Intern after completing his Bachelor’s in Computer and Information Sciences at Varsity College, Durban North. Blake was always fascinated by technology and software but was never offered the opportunity to study it in school, and always thought he would eventaully go into Accounting or some kind of Engineering, until he stumbled upon the world of software development when deciding what to study at the end of Matric. Blake hasn’t looked back since, and has grown to love the industry. Blake is currently completing his Honours Degree in Data Analytics through Varsity College.
Personal
Outside of work, Blake has a passion for multiple musical instruments, and has played in bands most of his life. He also enjoys staying active through skateboarding, drinking coffee and spending time with his loved ones.
Nicholas Bell
Role & Responsibilities
Primary role: Strategic Analyst & Trainee Software Engineer
Nick is strategically involved with large projects for key partners whilst he upskills as a trainee software engineer.
Background
Nick grew up in Zinkwazi Beach, on the north coast of Durban, South Africa. He joined the team in 2022, after taking a year’s sabattical where he overlanded with his partner Steph around Southern and East Africa. Nick took a career change to join Salt, after previously working as a civil engineer, project manager and quantity surveyor in the construction industry. Nick qualified from UKZN with a BSc Civil Engineering, and went on to work for 8years in Durban ending as a Senior Engineer and qualifying as a Professional Civil Engineer. He moved to London and lived and worked there for 3years, primary as a Quantity Surveyor before resigning and taking a sabattical in 2021. Having always felt that software engineering was best suited to him, he joined Salt to pursue this passion.
Currently Nick is living in Edinburgh, Scotland and working remotely for Salt.
Personal
Nick is an adrenaline junkie and loves downhill mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding and all sports along those lines, and also most ball sports. Nick loves travelling and has been fortunate to travel Africa, Europe and USA and experience the different cultures and make some new friends along the way. Nick has many other passions which vary significantly from coffee to global finance. An ideal day includes spending time with meaningful people, working towards something meaningful and a bit of time spent doing a fun sport. 