Board of Directors
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Independent Non-Executive Chairman
Born: 1950
Larry has over 40 years’ experience in his long and successful corporate career, both in South Africa and internationally. Larry is a co-founder and former executive director of Investec Bank Limited. He assisted in the creation and strategic development of a number of listed companies such as Capital Alliance Holdings Limited, Super Group Limited, Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited, SIB Holdings Limited and Global Capital Limited. He is the past chairman on each of the boards of these companies.
Larry has also served on the board of directors of Softline Limited, JCI Limited and Abacus Technologies Holdings Limited. He was a former director of a number of non-listed companies, internationally and locally, viz, Stenham Limited (UK) and Prefsure Life Limited (Aus). Currently, Larry holds various directorships and is executive chairman of Global Capital Proprietary Limited, and chairman of Melrose Motor Investments, MoreCorp Group Proprietary Limited, SellDirect Marketing Proprietary Limited and National Airways Corporation Proprietary Limited.
Larry joined the Board on its establishment in 2007. As a respected senior member of the South African business community, his strategic vision, guidance and experience contribute significantly to the Board and its deliberations.
Independent Non-Executive Director
BBusSci (Hons) (UCT), FCMA, CGMA, CA(SA)
Born: 1957
Gary graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1979, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (SA) in 1982, an associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) in 1983 and as a fellow chartered management accountant (UK) in 1996. His career was forged in merchant and investment banking. In the early 1990s he became an adviser to the African National Congress in developing Black Economic Empowerment strategies and in 1992 was instrumental in the creation of Thebe Investment Corporation South Africa’s first broad-based black-owned company. Gary served as Joint Chief Executive Officer of Msele Corporate and Merchant Bank, South Africa’s first black-controlled merchant bank.
In 1996 Gary was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of Unihold Limited, where he remains Executive Chairman. He led its transition from an engineering conglomerate to an international IT and telecommunications group, followed by a delisting through a management buyout in 2002. Gary continues to serve on numerous private and public company boards.
He is also chairman and/or director of various Group subsidiaries.
Independent Non-Executive Director
BCompt Hons/CTA (Unisa), CA(SA)
Born: 1965
Joe qualified as a chartered accountant in 1993. In 1996, he co-founded Gobodo Incorporated, an accounting practice with eight other partners which in time became the largest black accounting firm in South Africa. In 1999, he led a management buyout of Gobodo Corporate Finance from the accounting firm and rebranded it AloeCap Proprietary Limited, of which he is currently executive chairman. He also serves on the board of directors of various non-listed companies in which AloeCap Private Equity is invested.
Independent Non-Executive Director
BA (Unisa), MA (Thames Valley), MA (London) and MBA (California Coast University)
Born: 1961
Jerry is executive chairman of the Palama group of companies which he co-founded with the view to investing in private and listed companies. He previously served as CEO of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA). He is also the chairman of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Mpumalanga Gambling Board and Trubok Proprietary Limited. Jerry was previously a director of PPC Limited and recently retired from the position of Chairman of Netcare Limited. He currently holds directorships at Goliath Gold Limited, Sibanye Gold Limited and Saatchi & Saatchi. Jerry is a member of the National Planning Commission and previously served on the Presidential B-BBEE Advisory Council and Public Service Commission. He is an adviser to Citi Bank in South Africa.
Independent Non-Executive Director
BPharm (UDW) and MSc (Pharm Tech) from Chelsea College, University of London
Born: 1953
Yusuf is chairperson of the Cell C Foundation which is responsible for Cell C Proprietary Limited corporate social investment initiatives. He is also a director of Legend Power Solutions Proprietary Limited and alternate director of Avon Peaking Power Proprietary Limited and Dedisa Peaking Power Proprietary Limited. His previous directorships included Cell C Proprietary Limited, Siemens Proprietary Limited and Ubambo Investment Holding Proprietary Limited. He was also a member of the South African Pharmacy Council. Yusuf is one of the founder members of 3 C Telecommunications, Cellsaf and Cell C Proprietary Limited.
He also serves as a director of Cigicell Proprietary Limited, a Group subsidiary.
Joint Chief Executive Officer
Born: 1975
Brett has an impressive entrepreneurial history having founded and operated many small businesses in the early 1990s. He has been involved across a wide range of industries, including the distribution of fast-moving consumer goods and insurance replacements for electronic goods. Brett’s business achievements have earned him a number of prestigious nominations, accolades and awards. These include the ABSA Bank Jewish Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2003) and the ABSA Jewish Business Achiever Non-Listed Company Award (2007), which he won jointly with his brother Mark. Brett was nominated as an Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur SA Finalist for 2007. In 2010 he received the Liberty Life Award for a Remarkable Success Story in the David Awards and was a finalist in the Top Young Entrepreneur category of the African Access National Business Awards. In 2011 he shared with Mark the Top Entrepreneur accolade in the African Access National Business Awards.
Brett joined the BLT Board on its establishment in 2007 and is a director of various local and global Group companies.
Joint Chief Executive Officer
BCompt (Unisa)
Born: 1971
Mark graduated with a BCompt degree from Unisa in 1993. After some years as a commodities trader, he decided to pursue a goal of becoming an entrepreneur, which skill and strength he has applied over the past several years in spearheading Blue Label’s impressive organic and acquisitive growth and expansion in international markets. His business achievements are frequently recognised. Together with his brother Brett, Mark received the ABSA Jewish Business Achiever Non-Listed Company Award (2007). He was nominated as an Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur SA Finalist for 2007. In 2010 Mark was voted Top IT Personality of the year by ITWeb and was a finalist in the Top Young Entrepreneur category of the African Access National Business Awards. In 2011 he shared with Brett the Top Entrepreneur accolade in the African Access National Business Awards.
Mark joined the BLT Board on its establishment in 2007 and is a director of various local and global Group companies.
Chief Operating Officer
BCom (Wits), BCompt (Hons) (Unisa), CA(SA)
Born: 1972
Mark completed his articles at PwC before joining Mercantile Bank’s corporate finance department. In 1999 he moved to the boutique advisory firm, Nucleus Corporate Finance, before joining Blue Label in 2001. Mark has played an integral role in the Group’s strategic and operational management and much of its expanding telecommunications footprint can be attributed to his vision and leadership. Mark is a member of SAICA and the Young Presidents Organisation.
Mark joined the BLT Board on its establishment in 2007. He also serves as a director of a state utility and sits on the boards of various Group companies.
Financial Director
BCom (Wits), Hons (Unisa), CA(SA)
Born: 1977
Dean completed his articles at PwC where he continued working after qualifying as a chartered accountant, assisting in the audits of various large corporations and multi-national companies. In 2003 he joined BSC Technologies, a business established by the Levy brothers, and later became its Financial Director. In 2005 he transferred to The Prepaid Company in the role of Financial Director. Dean is a member of SAICA.
Dean joined the Board on his appointment as Financial Director of BLT in 2013 and is a director of various other Group companies.
Non-Executive Director
National Diploma in Company Administration
Born: 1968
Kevin joined the family business, Ellerine Holdings, in 1991. After serving in various roles, in 1993 he was appointed as property manager of Ellerine Bros. Proprietary Limited, rising to managing director of the property division in 2000, a position he still holds today. He sits on the boards of the property and private equity companies in which Ellerines is invested. Kevin’s all-round business skill and acumen contribute to Board and Committee deliberations of the Group.
Kevin is a director of various other companies, including some Group subsidiaries.