Appointments Update

Libstar promotes its current CFO Charl de Villiers to CEO position

SOUTH AFRICA – Libstar, one of South Africa’s leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers and distributors, has named its current group CFO Charl de Villiers as its new CEO, effective 1 January 2023.

The appointment follows the announcement of the retirement of the company’s CEO and Co-founder Andries van Rensburg, at the end of the year.

Andries co-founded Libstar in 2005 with the vision of building a valueadded consumer goods business.

Pegged to take over the helm, Charl will continue to drive the repositioning of the group’s portfolio towards a higher-growth and valueadded food portfolio, as well as the growth of its categories and channels through both organic expansion and acquisitions.

Charl is a Chartered Accountant and LLB graduate, with a unique combination of legal and financial qualifications, which provides a breadth of technical competence, strategic problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.

Copia Global deepens focus on regional growth with new executive appointments

KENYA – Copia Global, the fastgrowing B2C e-Commerce platform operating in East Africa, has promoted its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Kenya division, Dominic Dimba to Managing Director of the East Africa region.

Dominic will take on his new role, having amassed over 20 years in strategic, financial, strategic, and business development roles on three continents.

He will oversee the operating and financial performance of Copia Kenya and Uganda businesses, and drive profitability through growth, margin improvement, and unit cost optimization.

Alongside his appointment, Copia Global has named Caren Robb as its new Global Chief Financial Officer and Mike King to take over the role of Chief Technology Officer.

Caren Robb brings on board over 20 years of experience, leading teams across thirty countries, specializing in finance, governance, risk, analytics, corporate affairs, transformation, and strategy for the retail and financial services sectors.

Kenya Breweries Limited boss John Musunga takes helm of sister company Guinness Nigeria

KENYA – Multinational drinks maker, Diageo, has appointed Kenya Breweries Limited’s current Managing Director Mr. John Musunga, to be the CEO of Guinness Nigeria PLC, with effect from 1st November 2022.

Mr. Musunga, a seasoned leader with local and international leadership experience, joined KBL 19 months ago following the promotion of Ms. Jane Karuku as the new Group Managing Director for the company's parent company, East African Breweries PLC, in 2020.

Prior to joining the maker of Tusker Lager, he had a highly successful career at GSK, working at senior levels in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and Europe. Mr. Musunga will take over the helm of Guinness Nigeria from Mr. Baker Magunda who headed the company since 2018.

Before joining the Nigerian business, he was Managing Director of Diageo Ethiopia and the Indian Ocean Markets.

Michael Joseph lends his expertise to Kenyan insurtech startup Pula, to lead its board

KENYA – Kenyan agriculture digitalinsurance startup, Pula, has announced the appointment of Michael Joseph, the former Safaricom PLC Chairman, and CEO, as the new Chairman of its Board effective September 19.

Pula is an agricultural insurance and technology company that designs and delivers innovative agricultural insurance and digital products to smallholder farmers.

Michael is famously known as the founding CEO of Kenya’s giant telco Safaricom PLC, which he took from a subscriber base of 1800 to 14 million in just 10 years.

He is currently the Chairman of Kenya Airways board of directors and also doubles up as the Chair of the MPESA Foundation Academy. In addition, Michael holds several executive roles in the larger Vodafone group.

Fishing giant Oceana appoints Zafar Mahomed as Chief Financial Officer

SOUTH AFRICA – Africa’s largest fishing company, Oceana Group, has appointed Zafar Mahomed, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Cell C and McDonald's SA, as its new financial head effective November 1.

Mahomed will take over from interim CFO Ralph Buddle, who has been filling in since February 2021 after the suspension and eventual firing of Hajra Karrim from the company for “gross negligence”.

He will officially assume office as its CFO and executive director of its board from 1 February 2023, to allow for a smooth transition and handover.

The new appointee has more than 25 years of experience in finance and business across major multinational and listed companies as well as worldwide brands in multiple industries ranging from manufacturing to retail, financial services, real estate, and property, food, medical devices, hospitality, mining equipment, and FMCG.

He has vast experience, and a proven track record in the telecommunications, food franchise; and furniture retail industries.

Nestlé appoints Nicole Roos as first female MD for East & Southern Africa region

SOUTH AFRICA – Food giant Nestlé has appointed Nicole Roos as Managing Director for the East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR).

To be based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Roos becomes the first female head of the region. She takes over from Bruno Olierhoek, whose term ends on 31 October 2022.

Olierhoek is set to take up a new assignment in due course, having served as Chairman and Managing Director of the region since 2018.

Roos is currently the Business Executive Officer (BEO) for Coffee and Beverages for ESAR. She started her career at Nestlé in 2002 and has had an illustrious journey since.