Movers: Change is in the air

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

Finance professionals are embracing change as they take on new roles, new organisations and new industries.

Ian Kramer

AngloGold Ashanti appointed its senior VP of group finance Ian Kramer as interim CFO after Christine Ramon took early retirement on 30 June. Ian previously served as the interim CFO when Christine was serving as the interim CEO of the mine, but returned to his senior VP role when the company appointed Alberto Calderon as its new CEO.

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) appointed Averen Deonanan as its new CFO. He replaces Euan McNeil, who became managing director of the group in November 2021. “I am really excited to be joining FCTG, especially at this juncture, with so much opportunity ahead in the industry,” Averen says. Jubilant Speckman resigned as the CFO of Salungano Group, previously known as Wescoal, for personal reasons. Jubilant joined Salungano in September 2020, when it was still Wescoal, as its acting group CFO. In February 2021, she was appointed to the role permanently. Sasfin appointed Harriet Heymans as its new financial director. Harriet takes over from Angela Pillay, who tendered her resignation in January to pursue other endeavours. Harriet says that she is excited to join Sasfin because the company echoes her own values.

Stephen Griffiths has taken up the role of interim CEO along with his current role as CFO, following the retirement of CEO Martyn Wade. Stephen joined Grindrod in 2004 as group financial manager and was promoted to CFO of the shipping division in 2009.

Mustek appointed Shabana Aboo Baker Ebrahim as its new group financial director. “I am humbled about my appointment and feel hugely fortunate to have been given this amazing opportunity. It is a huge privilege that the board has seen in me the qualities needed to help take Mustek forward,” she says. Nilza Mngomezulu has been appointed as the new head of finance at Hollard Insurance. “AfroGlobalisation is at the heart of Hollard International’s brand and the new role will provide me with exposure to the African continent’s prospects and difficulties,” she says.

Kyle Paulsen stepped into the role of Takealot.com’s head of finance, after serving as a financial manager for the company since 2019. “The last three years in the Takealot group have been exciting, eventful and a phenomenal growth experience. I am looking forward to continuing the journey,” he says.

Sam Hopwood has been appointed as the new senior finance manager

Averen Deonanan

Going far as Capitec’s new CFO

Grant Hardy

Grant Hardy has officially taken over the role of CFO at Capitec following the retirement of André du Plessis at the end of June. “I feel immensely privileged and grateful for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” Grant says. ”I am passionate about Capitec, what we are building and the continued positive impact we strive to make in the lives of our clients.” Grant has been with Capitec since 2015 and worked closely with André in his previous role as head of financial management. “Being part of André’s team and reporting to him has allowed me to learn about business, leadership, Capitec and myself. I believe this puts me in a good position as I step into this role, ” he says. He explains that his first course of action in the new role will be to ensure the bank continues to unlock the full potential of all the people and teams at Capitec. “I am a firm believer that if you want to go fast, you go alone, but if you want to go far, you go together. From what I have seen over the years the talent at Capitec can take us incredibly far.” l

Jubilant Speckman

of Mars Wrigley North America, bidding goodbye to his role as the company’s CFO of its South Africa region. The 2021 CFO Awards nominee said that the move is in line with his development plan to move to a large-scale market such as North America.

Mars South Africa has appointed Bartek Szarapa as Sam’s replacement.

Bauba Resources has appointed Berrangé Nelson as its new financial director. This follows the promotion of previous CFO Jonathan Knowlden, who has been serving as acting CEO, to the company’s CEO role.

Mweb appointed Johan Jordaan and Lizette Loxton as acting

Shabana Aboo Baker Ebrahim

Sam Hopwood

co-CFOs to take over from CFO Imraan Parker in June. Johan, who has been with Mweb for 19 years, started at the company in 2003 as a financial controller and was later promoted to finance manager in 2006.

Lizette joined Mweb in 2006 as a management accountant, and later progressed to the position of senior management accountant. She most recently served as the financial manager of planning and analysis.

Tyme Group promoted its CFO, David Pfaff, to the position of CEO on 1 July. David takes over from Coen Jonker, who has been appointed as TymeBank’s CEO for South Africa. In his new role, David will move to Tyme Group’s head office in Singapore, where he assumes responsibility for the group’s international growth strategy.

TymeBank has also appointed Yusuf Dockrat as its new CFO.

Raluca Buzuleac, who has been serving as deputy CFO of MAS Real Estate, has officially taken on the responsibilities of CFO. Raluca took over from CFO Irina Girgore as deputy CFO in December 2021, after Irina was appointed as deputy CEO. Now, Irina will be stepping into the role of CEO permanently as well.

York Timber appointed its CFO Gerald Stoltz as the company’s permanent CEO. Gerald has been acting as both CFO and interim CEO of York since July 2021, following the passing away of Pieter van Zyl. He will continue to serve as interim CFO until a replacement for the role has been appointed.

Cobus van der Merwe was appointed CFO of Kibo Energy on 1 June. Cobus has over 10 years’ experience in managerial and executive roles in the investment management and the energy, utilities and resources sectors.

CIVH has appointed Byron Billett as the CFO of its new infrastructure company, which is a combination of its Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) and Vumatel assets.

Jaco Joubert was appointed as the group CFO of Fundi Capital on 1 March. “I am extremely excited to be joining Fundi, as it is aligned to two areas that are very important to me and close to my heart: driving financial inclusivity and the power of education,” Jaco says.

Sandi de Souza has been appointed CFO for SAP Africa. “I am proud to be part of the team that is helping drive transformation across our finance functions to provide the needed support as SAP transitions to its exciting new cloud-first path,” she said, adding that she is excited to play a guiding role in the company's transition.

EIMS Africa project CFO Tasneem Khan has been promoted to project CEO. Originally coming from a private equity background, when Tasneem joined EIMS as a finance manager for its Umoya Wind Farm and REISA projects, she had no experience in renewable energy. Soon thereafter, Cookhouse Wind Farm was added to Tasneem’s portfolio. She was appointed as CFO of EIMS in 2018.

US-based Gatos Silver appointed South African André van Niekerk as its new CFO on 1 July. He joins

Jaco Joubert Sandi de Souza

Gatos Silver from Nevada Copper Corporation, where he has served as CFO since 2020.

Australia-based Graphene Manufacturing Group appointed South African Frederick Kotzee as its new CFO on 25 July. Frederick has served in various finance leadership roles in various South African and Australian mining companies, including Anglo American, Kumba Iron Ore, Kalium Lakes and Kidman Resources.

Lumicks has appointed South African Andre Nel as its new CFO. “I am excited to join Lumicks as it begins to expand its operations around the world,” he says. “My expertise in working with life sciences companies on a global basis has prepared me well to build scalable operations that enable companies to achieve successful growth.” l

Khuthadzo Mbedzi

Making a difference in the public sector

Khuthadzo Mbedzi has left the private sector to be a public servant, as the new CFO of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). Passionate about the future of South Africa’s youth, Khuthi says she is both excited and nervous about her appointment. “I am excited about the appointment, because it aligns my professional career with my passion and purpose. I love empowering and working with young people. I’m also nervous because, like the start of any new journey, the unknown comes with some nerves.” However, she explains that she welcomes both feelings, as they keep her grounded and humble, and drive her to invest in understanding the organisation. Khuthi adds that she hopes to have an impact in her tenure as the CFO of NYDA. “I hope to enable growth within my team, to increase the NYDA’s footprint, and to ultimately better the lives of the South African youth by affording them opportunities through various programmes in line with the Presidency’s mandate, and in collaboration with partners both in public and private sector.” l