Diversified group AECI reorganised the structure of its executive leadership team, on December 20, to be more aligned to a corporate business that will enable the delivery of its strategic ambition to double the profitability of its core mining and chemicals business by 2026.

This is also in line with its ambition to become a global top three integrated mining explosives and chemicals solutions provider by 2030.

“It was important that as we head towards celebrating 100 years of AECI in 2024 with a revised strategy, we hit the ground running as an executive leadership team that is structured for success,” says group CE Holger Riemensperger.

He adds that the AECI team is diverse and largely made up of individuals who have been with AECI for numerous years, with the newest members to the team being himself, group CFO and executive director Rochelle Gabriels and group chief people officer Khabonina Ramoupi.

Riemensperger also points out that this team was involved in the development of the strategy which AECI unveiled earlier this year.

Four new positions have been created to support the business as it takes on a new path. Former acting group CFO, who was also previously finance executive for AECI Mining, Rafael Fernandes will take on the new role of chief transformation officer.

In this role, Fernandes will oversee the rollout of the strategy across all businesses.

Denvor Govender steps into the newly created group COO position, which will benefit from his over 26 years’ experience, nine of which have been with AECI including AECI Mining global operations executive. Govender’s portfolio will include operational and manufacturing optimisation across the group.

Focussing on the business operations, AECI Chemicals executive VP Dean Murray will leverage his over 18 years’ experience at AECI and his exposure to the chemicals industry to drive the cash generative abilities of AgriChem and steer it towards becoming a key contributor to group revenue.

AECI notes that it is continuing to recruit for the role of AECI Mining executive VP, the group’s main growth focus.

AECI’s group company secretary and general counsel Cheryl Singh remains in her role and will continue to ensure that as the business pivots, its guardrails to ethical success are met and it retains its understanding of the complexities of operating across multiple markets.

“I am confident that the structure as it stands puts us in good stead to continue to build on the legacy that has been created and to continue to benefit the communities and societies we operate in.

“As I move to South Africa, with my family, following the issuance of my critical skills visa, I am extremely excited at the possibilities for the group and look forward to working closely with this group of seasoned executives into the future,” says Riemensperger.