The 2025 CEOs
The Odgers CEOx1Day programme is proud to announce the list of 2025 CEOs who are participating in the programme.
JUSTIN APSEY
Unilever Southern Africa
Justin is the CEO of Unilever Southern Africa. He joined Unilever in 2000 through the Management Trainee programme and has held senior roles in Customer Development and Marketing, including an international posting to Australia. He served as Vice President of Homecare on the Unilever South Africa Board before becoming Managing Director for East Africa in 2016. In 2021, he was appointed Vice President – Africa Transformation and, in 2022, took on the role of CEO for Southern Africa.
ANDREW ROSS
Diageo
Andrew is the General Manager for Diageo Southern Africa and Indian Ocean, overseeing operations across 12 countries. With over 26 years of experience in the beverage industry, he has led both emerging and developed markets across Africa. Known for building strong, sustainable businesses and turning around underperforming operations, he brings a blend of leadership, commercial, and marketing expertise to drive long-term growth.
The 2024 CEOs
The Odgers CEOx1Day programme is proud to announce the list of 2024 CEOs who are participating in the programme.
RIAAN HEYL
PepsiCo
Riaan Heyl is the CEO for PepsiCo South Africa. He is a Chartered Accountant by training and joined Pioneer Foods in 2000. Riaan has had a rewarding career that included senior leadership roles within finance and general management. He led the Essential Foods portfolio within Pioneer Foods from 2017 and, following PepsiCo’s acquisition of Pioneer Foods, in 2020 took on the role of Vice President Go-to-Market and Commercial Integration across the South African portfolio. He served as PepsiCo South Africa’s Chief Operating Officer before taking the reins as CEO.
JASON QUINN
Nedbank
Jason, appointed as Nedbank Group Chief Executive in May 2024, began his career at EY, becoming a CA (SA) with degrees from Unisa and the University of Natal. At Absa Group Limited, he held senior roles, led major transactions like the $1 billion Barclays separation, and served as Interim Group CEO. Jason chairs the CFO Forum of SAICA and was recognised for 10 years as Best at Investor Relations on the JSE.
CLARE AKAMANZI
NBA
Clare is is an accomplished business executive and international trade and
investment lawyer who was named NBA Africa CEO in December 2023. She oversees the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts in Africa and is responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball, the NBA and the Basketball Africa League
(BAL) across the continent, including through grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives that improve the livelihoods of African youth and families. Prior to joining the NBA, Clare spent six and a half years as CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB). She was recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.
RICHARD FRIEDLAND
Netcare
Dr Richard Friedland is the CEO of Netcare Group and a trained medical doctor. Prior to joining Netcare, he served Medicross as the Operations Director and developed an initial network of 36 clinics. Joining Netcare in 1997 as COO, he drove the company’s transformation journey. In 2001, Richard was the CEO of Netcare UK, where he launched NHS partnerships and mobile cataract services. Upon returning to South Africa in 2005, he expanded Netcare to become the largest hospital group, founding key units like Netcare 911. Passionate about digitisation and sustainability, Richard has led award-winning environmental initiatives and community projects.
ANDREAS BRAND
Mercedes-Benz
Andreas became CEO of Mercedes-Benz in 2022, and serves on the Board of Directors. Andreas joined Mercedes-Benz in 1997 as a production engineer and has held various leadership roles while gaining international experience. Andreas has also held various management functions in planning, production and factory launches. In 2010 he led the press and body shop in Kecskemét, Hungary. In 2016, he worked in the area of strategic alignment and, in 2018, he was Chief Engineer of Production for the Compact Car-Platform.
ADRIAN NAUDE
Ackermans
Adrian learned and fell in love with retail during his a 24-year career at Pick n Pay, doing most jobs including store management, operations, buying, marketing and strategy. His most recent role was COO. He was privileged to work closely with and learn from the late legendary Raymond Ackerman for many years, and served on his exco when he was still executive chairman. Adrian joined Ackermans in May 2023. He learns something every day about the value fashion business, and is proud to lead Ackermans, South Africa’s number one retailer for baby and kids.
The 2023 CEOs
During 2023, the Odgers CEOx1Day programme partnered with a number of CEOs from various companies and sectors.
BURTON NAICKER
MiWay Insurance
Burton was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of MiWay in January 2022 and also serves as a member of the Santam Group Executive team. He has over 25 years of experience in financial services, including his role as Chief Operating Officer at OUTsurance, prior to joining MiWay. Burton completed his Master’s in Business Administration at the University of the Witswatersrand in 2015.
FLEETWOOD GROBLER
Sasol
With almost 40 years’ Sasol experience, Fleetwood is dedicated to accelerating the company’s transition to a low carbon world. Together with his executive team, he is championing the delivery of Sasol’s medium and longer-term decarbonisation targets, through multiple pathways, ultimately aimed at reaching net zero by 2050. He is a member of the Green Hydrogen Panel, established by South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
IAIN WILLIAMSON
Old Mutual Limited
Iain joined the Group in 1993 and following various roles across employee benefits and personal finance, He served in a number of roles across distribution, technology and finance before being promoted to CFO Retail Affluent and then Managing Director of the Retail Affluent segment.
KHOLIWE MAKHOHLISO
SAP
Kholiwe was the Country Managing Director for Software AG, for five years. She also worked at Oracle South Africa in a range of leadership positions ultimately serving as Country Managing Director. She had a six-year tenure at Accenture, where her final role was Sales Director.
PETER WHARTON-HOOD
Life Healthcare
Peter is a chartered accountant and has completed the Harvard Advanced Management Programme. He is a seasoned and proven business leader with strong global experience in strategy and operational delivery in complex and evolving environments. Peter has successfully and passionately driven diversity and inclusion programmes, both in South Africa and internationally.
PAUL HANRATTY
Sanlam
Paul was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer at Sanlam in July 202. He started his career in the insurance industry in 1984 and has worked in various financial service businesses in South Africa, Africa, the UK and several other markets. Paul obtained his Bachelors Degree in Actuarial Sciences (BBusSc Hons) from the University of Cape Town in 1984 and is a Fellow of Actuaries (FIA).
Previous Participating Companies
