Niyi Adeleye Head: Real Estate Finance, Africa at Standard Bank Group Adeleye heads Real Estate Finance (Africa Regions) at Standard Bank Group where he is responsible for managing the real estate finance activities of the group across its 20 presence countries across South, Central, East and West Africa. With over 25 years’ experience and varying competences, he has worked in roles in real estate finance, investments and advisory; principal investment, project engineering and management. He is an AMDP, alumnus of Harvard University, Graduate School of Design and has master’s degrees in Property Economics and Construction Management from the London South-Bank University, UK and University of Lagos, Nigeria respectively.
Adrian Basson CEO of Hungry Lion
Adrian Basson CEO of Hungry Lion Adrian Basson studied accounting, from here, he then spent a year running his family liquor stores, before joining Shoprite in 2001 as the Hungry Lion Divisional Manager. Coinciding with this, his family purchased 50 percent of the Hungry Lion business. Adrian was also a Shoprite Holdings Director from 2006 this including a three-year s stint as the company's Chief Digital Officer.
Thomas Reilly CEO of Lango Real Estate
Thomas Reilly CEO of Lango Real Estate Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer of Lango Real Estate Ltd (Lango), a business which he founded along with Ninety One and Growthpoint Properties, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Lango has since grown to become a leader in the asset class in Africa., and recently embarked on a roadmap to list on the London Stock Exchange over the medium term.
Tola Akinhanmi Head Real Estate Finance (West Africa) at Stanbic IBTC Capital
Tola Akinhanmi Head Real Estate Finance (West Africa) at Stanbic IBTC Capital Tola is an investment banker and has had various roles within corporate and investment banking with specializations in Real Estate Finance and Project and Structured Finance. He has over ten years of in-country and regional work experience (including Nigeria, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire) which spans across various asset classes (with an estimated portfolio size over US$1.2 billion) within the real estate sector in the leading financial institution in Africa (in terms of market capitalisation). In addition, his project finance deal mandates include debt capital raising for major infrastructural projects in the oil & gas and industrial sectors. His early work experience include treasury operations and commercial banking roles in Fidelity Bank and Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank) in Nigeria respectively.
Thomas Mundy Head of Capital Markets Strategy & Research at JLL
Thomas Mundy Head of Capital Markets Strategy & Research at JLL Tom is an Executive Director at JLL, leading the company’s Capital Markets Strategy & Research for EMEA with additional oversight of Hotels and Living sector research. Previously, he led the firm’s International Capital and Advisory businesses in Africa and has advised on some of the largest real estate transactions on the continent. Prior to joining JLL, Tom served as chief strategist for Russia’s largest private bank and before that was an emerging market equity strategist at Renaissance Capital in Moscow. Tom sits on the European Central Bank’s Financial Stability Contact Group where he advises on real estate. He holds degrees from Oxford University, University College London and is a member of RICS with a specialisation in real estate research. Tom holds a CFA in ESG investing and is a member of the Investment Property Forum’s Research Steering Committee for Europe.
Kambeu Banda CEO of REIZ Plc
Kambeu Banda CEO of REIZ Plc Mr. Kambewu A. Banda brings over 14 years of experience as a Banker, with his last banking post as Head of Core-Commercial Banking and Specialised Finnce at First National Bank Zambia Ltd. After leaving the Banking sector, he ventured on his own as a Business Consultant with his last post at Yamene Consultancy Service Zambia Ltd, which is part of the Casilli group of Companies. He was there after appointed CEO of REIZ Plc in August 2023. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Zambia and an International Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies from Cavendish University.
Kisseih Antonio Managing Director of Sentinel Asset Management
Kisseih Antonio Managing Director of Sentinel Asset Management Kisseih is the Managing Director of Sentinel Asset Management (SAM). Prior to SAM, he was the Managing Director of EDC Investments Ltd, the Ghanaian subsidiary of Ecobank Capital’s Asset Management business. Kisseih is also a member of the Board of Trustee of the Ghana Venture Capital Trust Fund, a Governing Council member of the Pan-African Managers Association and is Vice-President of the Ghana Securities Industry Association. Kisseih holds a BA (Hons) in Economics & Law from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University.
Ruth Okal Assistant General Manager at ICEA LION Asset Management Limited
Ruth Okal Assistant General Manager at ICEA LION Asset Management Limited Ruth is a seasoned investment expert with a wealth of experience in the Real Estate industry. Her experience in the industry spans 17 years having worked in different sections of the Real Estate industry such as valuation, property management, REIT management, portfolio management, agency, listed real estate, capital raising and fund administration. Ruth was instrumental in setting up and managing the first listed Real Estate Investment Trust in East Africa, then STANLIB Fahari I-REIT, and later ILAM Fahari I-REIT. She has also served in various capacities as an advisor at industry and policymaking levels on developing interventions meant to transform the Real Estate Investment space and deepen the capital markets in Kenya. Ruth is the current chairperson of the Policy, Research and Publications (PPR) Sub-Committee of the REIT Association of Kenya (RAK), a Board Member at the Valuers Registration Board and an examiner for the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK). Ruth has also held various speaking and investor education engagements as part of her strategic professional development initiatives and giving back to society.
Samuel Karuiki CEO of Mi Vida Homes A senior Business, Finance and Investment Executive, with over 16 years of experience in Corporate
Nnema Byrd Managing Director of Community Infrastructure DFC
Nnema Byrd Managing Director of Community Infrastructure DFC Nnema Byrd is a Managing Director within DFC’s Office of Infrastructure. With over 22 years of finance and investment experience, she is responsible for leading corporate and project financing solutions for transformative projects that address the critical need for affordable, climate-resilient housing, logistics/industrial space, mortgage finance, secondary mortgage market liquidity, and housing microfinance across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
Bronwyn Williams Partner at Flux Trends
Bronwyn Williams Partner at Flux Trends Bronwyn Williams is a polymath who will challenge your assumptions about the present and the future. She is a Futurist, Economist and Business Trends Analyst. She has over a decade’s worth of experience in strategic management, trend research and strategic foresight. She has consulted for clients in public and private sectors across the world. Part economist, part strategist, Bronwyn’s particular areas of expertise include fintech trends, alternative economic models, and sustainable futures design.She co-authored The Future Starts Now published by Bloomsbury UK and Rescuing our Republic, a thought-provoking book with interviews from a diverse group of public intellectuals, business leaders and political mavericks discussing tangible ways South Africa can rescue itself from itself. She’s a columnist for leading business and technology publications and is a sought-after media commentator on future trends and economic trajectories for network channels, including CNBC Africa and eNCA in South Africa.
Ken Osei Principal Investment Officer at IFC
Ken Osei Principal Investment Officer at IFC Specialties: Corporate Finance and M&A Advisory, Business Advisory, Strategy Consulting, Environmental Technology, Environmental Engineering & Management, Electric and Gas Operations
Anne Keppler Regional Director Southern Africa of DEG
Anne Keppler Regional Director Southern Africa of DEG Anne Keppler is Regional Director Southern Africa for DEG based in Johannesburg. Together with the local team and colleagues in Cologne she is responsible for originating, executing and managing DEG’s debt and equity investments in the region. The regional office provides debt or equity funding solutions to corporate clients, private equity funds, project finance transactions and Financial Institutions. Before assuming this role in June 2018 she has been working as Vice President for DEGs Private Equity team since June 2010 and is already based in Johannesburg since 2011. Prior to joining DEG’s PE team Anne has been part of DEGs Financial Services team working on debt and equity transactions since 2005 and worked as credit analyst for financial institutions at WestLB in Germany.
Cheick Sanankoua Managing Partner at HC CAPITAL PROPERTIES
Cheick Sanankoua Managing Partner at HC CAPITAL PROPERTIES A graduate from Northwestern University and Harvard Business School (MBA), Cheick Sanankoua is the co-founder and Managing Partner of HC Capital Properties (HCCP). He has over 15 years of experience with international financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch (New York and London) where he worked on M&A transactions exceeding US$30 billion and the London based Africa focused US$3 billion private equity firm Helios Investment Partners.
Quintin Rossi CEO of SPEAR REIT Limited
Quintin Rossi CEO of SPEAR REIT Limited Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Strong professional skilled in Negotiation, Lettings, Budgeting and overall Business Management.
Rob Kane CEO of Boxwood Property Fund
Rob Kane CEO of Boxwood Property Fund Rob retired as CEO of JSE listed Texton Property Fund Limited (formerly VPIF) in mid-2015 which he started in 2006 and then listed on the JSE in 2011. Since inception, Rob grew the fund to an asset value of R5.5 billion comprising 350,000m2 of commercial, retail and industrial buildings throughout South Africa. In 2014 Rob diversified the business offshore and the fund had 25% of its asset base in the UK. In the same year, he concluded a BEE transaction placing 26% of the listed shares in black hands. In addition, Rob is the non-executive Chair of the Cape Town City Improvement District (CCID), a Public-Private Partnership which is responsible for public safety, urban management, social development, and PR/Communications. The CCID is accepted as the organization primarily responsible for the turnaround of the Cape Town CBD. Rob sits on the South African Property Owners Association Board for the Western Cape Committee and is an occasional lecturer at UCT. Rob holds a B.Sc. Civil Engineering degree from UCT and an MBA from Bath University, UK. Text content
Nicholas Leck Account Executive: Occupier Solutions at MRI Software
Nicholas Leck Account Executive: Occupier Solutions at MRI Software Freeing Corporate Real Estate Occupiers with Comprehensive, Flexible and Open Solutions. International digital process manager with decades of experience developing impactful solutions for blue-chips and public sector. Skilled in strategy, management, software development, business process automation, and business analytics. Graduated from Rhodes University.
Bobby Patel Managing Director & Global Head of Real Estate Investment at CrossBoundary
Bobby Patel Managing Director & Global Head of Real Estate Investment at CrossBoundary Bobby Patel graduated Magna Cum Laude from Austin College, where he majored in International Economics & Finance and minored in Chemistry. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa US national honor society. He is originally from Kenya and has also lived in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Prior to CrossBoundary, Bobby worked as an Investment Analyst for the International Finance Corporation, supporting transactions in Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, and other African markets. His focus sectors included manufacturing, agribusiness, and real estate. Bobby was previously an Investment Analyst for the Goldman Sachs & Co. Special Situations Group, where he was involved in principal investing through middle market debt and structured equity under the Specialty Lending Group platform, with facilities ranging from US$10m to US$150m.
Bangwani Maphophe Banker, Commercial Property Finance at Absa
Bangwani Maphophe Banker, Commercial Property Finance at Absa A banking professional and chartered accountant (South Africa) who is passionate about Africa’s real estate financing and investment banking opportunities. I work alongside our clients to invest in the development or acquisition of some of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most iconic real estate opportunities. Our clients are keen investors in the residential, industrial, retail, office as well as emerging sub sectors of real estate in Africa.
Andile Mnguni Head of Property Commercial at Dube TradePort Corporation
Andile Mnguni Head of Property Commercial at Dube TradePort Corporation An extremely passionate and dynamic industry leader and professional with over 22 years of working experience in the property and built environment investment field. He served as a Director and Chairman on various Management Associations for over a decade. He is currently the interim Chief Operating Officer at Dube TradePort and most successful past Treasurer General of the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners who has held various leadership positions from a young age (communities, schools and sporting activities). He is a responsible but yet down to earth person who is focused and transformation driven. He is a visionary and strategist who is collaborative in approach and execute investment projects swiftly and flawlessly.
Laila Razack Chief Financial Officer at Equites
Laila Razack Chief Financial Officer at Equites Qualification: BBsc (Finance & Accounting), PGDA, CA(SA). Laila joined Equites in 2015 and has played an integral role in growing the scale and sophistication of the overall finance function. She was appointed as Group CFO in May 2020. Prior to joining Equites, she worked in PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.’s Advisory division with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. She has a keen interest for environmental, social, and sustainable initiatives and serves as a director of The Michel Lanfranchi Foundation (NPC).
Henning Rasmuss Founding Director of Crux Architects Africa
Henning Rasmuss Founding Director of Crux Architects Africa Henning Rasmuss, born and raised in Johannesburg, was influenced by the building boom in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was fascinated by the energy of the large building sites and chose to study architecture, graduating Cum Laude from Wits University in 1994.
Paulo Cruz SVP International at DAMAC Properties
Paulo Cruz SVP International at DAMAC Properties My expertise is to deliver results and to maximize the (cashflow, asset, sustainable and reputational) value of my shareholders/investors portfolio, whilst focusing on getting the job done together with my team and stakeholders! Damac group SVP: Iconic Real Estate | Masterplanning | Data Centers | Hospitality | Luxury Fashion & Retail | Logistics. Angola, BeNeLux, Cape Verde Islands, Conakry, Congo, Djibouti, GCC region, Germany, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Maldives, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, São Tomé, Senegal, Spain, Tanzania, UAE, UK and USA.
Simon Ardonceau FOUNDER & CEO of AIRE
Simon Ardonceau FOUNDER & CEO of AIRE Self-driven Head of Business Development & Consulting and Exco member with 15-year’ experience in the real estate sector in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Successfully set up and led the growth of a consulting division and was promoted 6 times in 12 years with 3 international relocations within JLL. Built a track-record of >300 consulting assignments and executed transactions / deal due diligences for c. $2B across office, logistics, retail, mixed-use and residential asset classes in >35 countries across EMEA. Graduated from INSEAD with an Executive MBA.
Boniface Abudho Research Analyst - Africa at Knight Frank With over six years of experience in Urban Management and Research, Boniface has served in various roles within both government and private sectors. Notably, he was a pivotal team member in reviewing the building codes for Malawi and Afghanistan and the Konza Techno City Development Plan. Boniface's educational background in Urban Planning and GIS provides a strong foundation for his professional work. As a corporate member of the Kenya Institute of Planners and the Commonwealth Association of Planners, Boniface is committed to promoting sustainable urban development. Currently, he serves as the Knight Frank Africa Research Analyst, acting as a Research Spokesperson for Africa. Boniface is passionate about real estate research and regularly contributes to several Knight Frank Global and Africa Research publications.
Jean-Baptiste Recher Regional VP Development Luxury Brands at Accor
Jean-Baptiste Recher Regional VP Development Luxury Brands at Accor As RVP Development Luxury Brands MEAT, Jean-Baptiste oversees the development activities of the Accor Group in over 75 countries for Accor luxury, ultra luxury and resorts brands including Orient Express, Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Emblems, MGallery and Mantis. He has been instrumental in driving the Group’s organic growth over the last eight years and in particular in Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Jean-Baptiste’s wealth of experience spans over a decade within leading companies including Marriott and JLL. His senior leadership roles covered several disciplines from real estate advisory, feasibility studies to asset management and operation across France, the United Kingdom and the Middle East and Africa region. In his previous role, Jean-Baptiste worked for JLL, a leading real estate advisory firm. In this key leadership role, he was responsible for conducting market research, financial modeling, feasibility studies, asset valuation and operator selection. Jean-Baptiste has an MBA in International Hospitality Management from ESSEC Business School, Paris, France as well as a Masters of Hotel and Tourism Management from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Mike Vroom Chief Operating Officer at Newmark Hotels & Reserves
Mike Vroom Chief Operating Officer at Newmark Hotels & Reserves An accomplished executive with over 20 years of global experience steering consumer-facing companies towards sustained growth and market leadership, Mike Vroom was the executive Executive Director – Africa of Newmark until 2023 and is now Chief Operating Officer for the group. He is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of existing and new properties within the Newmark Hotels portfolio With a Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management Hospitality Administration/Management from the International Hotel School, Mike began his career managing restaurants at some of Cape Town’s best hotels. He then moved to Johannesburg where he grew within other management divisions at one of Africa’s top five-star hotels, The Saxon, before joining Newmark as the Hotel Manager at the Queen Victoria Hotel in 2014. After nearly two years, Mike headed to Dubai to open one of the leading international hotels in the UAE, which was voted “World's leading new hotel for 2017”, during his time there. Mike returned to Cape Town in 2018 where he rejoined Newmark as the Group Operations Manager and then Director.
Vivek Mathur Managing Director of SARV Management LLC
Vivek Mathur Managing Director of SARV Management LLC Vivek is an experienced hospitality professional with a robust background in hotel management, spanning over two decades. Vivek founded SARV Management in 2023 to manage franchise branded hotels in Africa. He has played pivotal roles in pre-opening teams, hotel operations and spearheading hotel rebranding efforts. Vivek has expertise in project planning, budgeting, inventory management, and maintaining customer care excellence. In just about a year since inception SARV Management is currently managing 3 branded hotels in East Africa with about 6 hotels in the pipeline opening in the next 2 years. Vivek did his Hotel Management from IHM Pusa New Delhi and has a bachelor’s degree in Commerce & Finance from Delhi University. A native of India, he is settled in Kenya since 2015.
Graham Hutchinson Managing Director of Burstone Group
Graham Hutchinson Managing Director of Burstone Group I have been Managing Director of South Africa at the Burstone Group since October 2023. Prior to this, I was Managing Director of South Africa at Investec Property Fund (IPF), which rebranded as the Burstone Group in 2023. Having joined Investec more than ten years ago, I have been fortunate to witness and be part of the growth and evolution of Investec Property Fund, which has now rebranded as the Burstone Group. Burstone is a fully integrated international real estate business investing in best-in-class assets in select markets, including South Africa. My skill set, which is a balance between pure property and financial skills, has allowed me to play a role in defining and implementing business and building strategies. I am passionate about being part of and leading a great team, building a great business, and playing our role in the growth of the South African economy.
Michael Avery Radio Anchor at Hot 1027
Michael Avery Radio Anchor at Hot 1027 With two decades greying in the media industry, I bring a bit of know-how and my skill set that spans journalism, broadcasting, radio production, and academic research, which qualifies me as partially batshit crazy. My track record speaks for itself – when I don’t. I have a proven ability to deliver compelling content that agitates with audiences across various platforms.
Murray Clark Founder & CEO of Neighbourgood
Murray Clark Founder & CEO of Neighbourgood Co-Founder & CEO of Neighbourgood. We are building the worlds first all access passport to connected living and working spaces and experiences in lifestyle cities. Leveraging a density model, together with best in class propco/opco economics, we acquire, repurpose and add value to buildings with a focus on adaptive reuse, creating cultural relevance once again. Since founding Neighbourgood in 2020, we have launched over 1000 living and working units, grown our team to 100+, repurposing 15 different buildings, grown revenue from 0-$10m US and becoming EBITDA profitable.
Tim Harris Partner at Consulum
Tim Harris Partner at Consulum Tim is a partner at public sector advisory firm Consulum where he leads the Competitiveness practice and the Cape Town office. He was previously the CEO of Wesgro, the Tourism, Trade & Investment Promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. During the more than six years that he led the agency it was regarded by the World Bank as the best sub-national agency in Africa.
Danny Saksenberg Chief AI Officer at EMERGE
Danny Saksenberg Chief AI Officer at EMERGE Danny started his career as an actuary working at the Southern Africa Actuarial Consultants and
Natasha Bruwer Managing Director of Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL
Natasha Bruwer Managing Director of Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL Managing Director of a division of 65+ employees delivering end to end corporate real estate services to multi national companies. Over 18yrs experience in global corporate real estate services, with a demonstrated history of managing large scale outsource real estate portfolio's for banking, petroleum, insurance and industrial sector Clients. Skilled in Business Strategy, Operations Management, Finance, Real Estate and Client Relationship Management.
Bradley Wentzel Chief Financial Officer at SPARK Schools
Bradley Wentzel Chief Financial Officer at SPARK Schools Conscious and authentic leader. Out the box thinker, innovator, and strategic minded individual who loves a challenge. Passion for numbers, grower of people, expert in manufacturing and retail combined with some entrepreneurial spirit. Lover of investments and sports. Filled with grit and a passion to impact lives in our great country.
Wayne Godwin CEO of JLL Africa As CO-CEO Africa, Wayne focuses on delivering strategic advisory services and capital market oversight to local, regional, and global clients across Sub-Saharan Africa. Wayne has over 13 years’ experience in the hospitality real estate industry. His broad range of experience includes hotel feasibility assignments, commercial due diligence for hospitality platforms and portfolios, hotel asset management and operator selection and management contract negotiations.
Ivan Cornet Managing Partner at Latitude Five
Ivan Cornet Managing Partner at Latitude Five I am the Managing Partner in charge of real estate and urban infrastructure at Latitude Five, an investment and advisory firm operating in emerging markets. In my role, I collaborate closely with institutional investors, developers and operators, providing market insights and uncovering exclusive off-market opportunities. My expertise extends to structuring, executing, and managing diverse commercial and financial transactions, including sustainable initiatives for which I hold the IFC EDGE Expert for Green Buildings in Emerging Markets credential. With over twenty-five years of extensive experience in the real estate landscape across the EMEA region, I have worn various hats—as a lawyer, investor, and financier. My journey has equipped me with an understanding of the complexities of emerging and frontier markets involved in underwriting and executing structured projects and transactions. I hold senior executive and non-executive positions with several international and African real estate and investment companies, including as a member of the RICS World Regional Board for the Middle East and Africa. I am passionate about contributing to the growth and development of the regions and sectors I am dedicated to. I actively participate in events, publications, and initiatives aimed at promoting these countries and strengthening the real estate, infrastructure, and investment sectors across Africa. Since 2022, I have been a member of the judging panel of the Africa Property Investment Awards, which each year recognise outstanding achievements within the African real estate sector. Having been based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (2012-2018 and again in 2023) and Casablanca, Morocco (2018-2019), I bring a unique perspective shaped by my experiences in diverse and vibrant settings.
Richard von Kalmar Partner at Senga Bay Capital
Richard von Kalmar Partner at Senga Bay Capital Dr. Richard von Kalmar is a Founder and Partner at Senga Bay Capital, a strategy and financial advisory firm involved in projects across Europe and Africa. Richard asset manages a hotel in Milan and has worked on the development and financing of hotels in South Africa, Germany, Nigeria and Morocco. Richard also serves on the board of Wahed Inc., a Sharia-compliant investment platform and fund manager and is an Advisor to several other businesses. Richard was born in Germany and spent his childhood in Italy, Lebanon, Malawi, South Africa and the United Kingdom, where he completed his education with an MBA and a Doctorate from Cranfield University.
Caitlin Adair Director of Turner & Townsend
Caitlin Adair Director of Turner & Townsend Caitlin Adair's career trajectory is marked by a blend of academic excellence and professional expertise. She holds a BSc (Honours) in Construction Management with Cum Laude distinction, as well as a BSc in Construction Studies, both from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. These have provided her with a solid foundation for her role as Western Cape Regional Director at Turner & Twonsend. With over a decade of experience, Caitlin's leadership in the Cape Town office is characterized by a results-driven but inclusive ethos, underpinning her success in managing diverse projects across sectors such as hospitality, commercial, residential, education, heritage, data centre and urban precincts. Her recent recognition with the Nelson Mandela University Alumni Rising Star Award underscores her significant contributions to both her professional field and the broader community. This honor reflects Caitlin's unwavering commitment to excellence and her ability to lead projects that not only meet but surpass client expectations, thanks to her client-focused approach and dedication to quality outcomes.
Michael Aldridge CEO of KOFISI Africa Michael is a successful entrepreneur with over 15 years business experience in multiple sectors, including business services and retail. He is also committed to creating wider social impact in education through innovation in finance. Michael cofounded KOFISI, the leading provider of flexible workspace, fit out and facilities management in Africa. Responding to client demand and the market opportunity, KOFISI, set a goal of being Africa’s top provider of inspirational workspaces. KOFISI and Sunbird operate in over six African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Nigeria. KOFISI has office centres in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.
Heath Andersen Founder of DC Design Africa Technical advisor to a private equity firm on a bid for a West African data centre operator. I provided technical assessments on the existing facilities and operations and of the planned expansion of the data centres. Completed 2021. Technical advisor to a fibre network operator who is looking to expand their offering further into data centres. I prepared business plans for board approval. Currently assisting with the implementation of the strategy. Site selection at +10 locations across Africa for suitable sites for an African colocation provider. This involves working with owners, developers and local authorities to establish if the site in question is suitable for hosting a Data Centre. To achieve this, I am managing a team of engineers, architects and specialists who are undertaking studies and surveys of the sites. The outcome of which is a RED flag report that is used in the business case. Project director for a new build data centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. 4 x 1,500m2 Data Halls, IT Load of 12MW, completed 2022. Site due diligence of 6 data centres across South Africa for a global data centre operator who required valuation, compliance and upgrade analysis of each site as part of an asset valuation program.
Phil Barttrams Director of Pooled Data Services
Phil Barttrams Director of Pooled Data Services Phil Barttram’s been in financial services for over 3 decades having worked in the UK and the Middle East and is now based in Cape Town. In addition to enjoying time with his family (preferably out-doors) , Phil’s interest lies in real-asset investment strategy and portfolio data virtualisation.
Mikayla Benkenstein CEO of Hodari Africa A dynamic project manager and the Chief Executive Officer of Hodari Africa. I’ve worked at other project management companies in my time, and I felt that the old-school way of doing things was not the best and that there was a way to service clients better. This is why I got started with Four Collaboration, and this is still what we are all about at Hodari Africa. But, like everyone else, I had to start somewhere. Both my grandfather and mother were involved in the construction industry, so it was something I was familiar with, but I initially wanted to become a chartered accountant. Thankfully, I had a change of heart while I was at university and decided to move into project management. In my final year, I was selected to do an internship at Growthpoint, and I loved every minute of it. Through my experience as an intern working for Growthpoint, I was approached by Mace Management Services SA to work as an intern for them, which means I was already working by the time I wrote my final exams. This helped me gain project management experience in commercial development and hotel and leisure, as I worked on the V&A Waterfront Silos precinct development. I specialised in procurement management and also developed my project financial management and project controls experience by developing and managing six of the projects delivered as part of the V&A Waterfront silos precinct development. After cutting my teeth working for other companies, I became one of the founding members of Four Collaboration, a tailor-made, best-in-class professional project management and construction management services company created to better respond to changing market conditions and client-specific requirements. Then, in 2022, Four Collaboration was approached by Hodari Africa Real Estate Solutions with the proposal for a permanent merger of our teams to manage future developments throughout Africa and beyond - taking us from a small firm with big capabilities to an even bigger firm with even greater capabilities. If you’re interested in learning more about Hodari Africa or want to pick my brain about project management, you’re welcome to connect with me.
Wayne Berger Co-CEO of Smartbuildingapp.com
Wayne Berger Co-CEO of Smartbuildingapp.com Wayne is an experienced technology entrepreneur with a top international MBA. Wayne currently holds the position of Managing Director of iShack Ventures, a Venture Builder mandated to develop disruptive technologies in the Property industry, FinTech and Big Data. In addition, Wayne is the chairman of iShack Innovation Consultancy (established in 2005). iShack Innovation, a consultancy specialising in advising both local and international corporations on their online advertising and software development initiatives, ensuring maximum ROI on their digital spend. iShack Innovation’s clients include, Internet Solutions, Walt Disney, Warner Bros Growthpoint Property Fund, L’Oreal, Canon, Gareth Cliff and Cliffcentral to name a few.
Matthew Bernath Head of Data Ecosystems at ShopriteX
Matthew Bernath Head of Data Ecosystems at ShopriteX Matthew is passionate about leveraging data to bolster economies and facilitate strategic dealmaking. He is a CFA® Charterholder with a proven track record in monetising data and building secure and privacy-preserving Data Ecosystems. Matthew is currently building secure and privacy-preserving Data Ecosystems to enable data collaboration for the benefit of Shoprite's customers. He is focusing on uplifting the citizens and companies of South Africa using data. This includes advancing financial inclusion, health and wellness accessibility, and providing economic insights through alternative data. Before joining Shoprite, Matthew was leading the data analytics capability of Rand Merchant Bank, one of Africa's largest investment banks. Before transitioning into data analytics, Matthew was in RMB's Infrastructure Finance division, focusing on structuring and building financial models for multi-billion-rand project financing deals, always driven by data-focused decision-making. His deals include a ZAR3.3bn sale of a grain handling and storage business, a ZAR1.5bn brownfields project financing of an alcohol plant expansion, a ZAR4.5bn project financing of a wind project and advisory on a $300m border post modernisation project. Recognized as one of the "60 Data Changemakers to Know" by Narrative Science and a finalist for Data Analytics Leader of the Year in 2022, Matthew's achievements extend beyond his professional role. His contribution to community-building initiatives includes hosting the Johannesburg Data Science and Financial Modelling meetup groups and the highly regarded Financial Modelling Podcast, which was awarded Financial Modelling Resource of the Year 2021. He also formerly hosted the RMB Data Analytics Podcast, where he interviewed decision-makers on how they use data analytics to turn insights into action.Prior to investment banking and retail career, Matthew held leadership roles in various advisory and technology firms, bringing his data-driven approach to different industries. He is also a startup investor, having co-founded several tech startups.
Hiren Bhagat General Manager: Sustainability & ESG at ARISE Group
Hiren Bhagat General Manager: Sustainability & ESG at ARISE Group At ARISE IIP, Hiren drives the climate and sustainability initiatives, leads carbon audits for all assets, for investors and provide solutions to achieve low carbon operations. He leads the Life Cycle Carbon Assessment and Circularity Initiatives for products and develops carbon reductions goals at various stages of production. Hiren has more than 20 years of experience in Sustainability and Climate Change, Carbon Accounting, Green Building Services and LEED certified portfolios. He holds expertise in Carbon reduction strategies, Building energy efficiency plans and execution, Green building design, Health & Wellness and Zero Waste Facility Operations. He has worked on multiple large-scale projects providing Sustainable Design and Green building solutions to Developers, Banks, IT, Housing and Hospitality industries in India, APAC and Middle East.
Matt Biden CEO of The Royal Portfolio
Matt Biden CEO of The Royal Portfolio Matt Biden joined the family hotel business, The Royal Portfolio, in 2012 to lead the expansion of the brand and manage operational, staff, and financial matters in the business. The Royal Portfolio is a collection of luxury boutique hotels, lodges and villas in iconic destinations across South Africa, including Royal Malewane in the Greater Kruger National Park, offering an award-winning safari experience; Birkenhead House in the whale-watching paradise of Hermanus; La Residence in Franschhoek, focused on the wine and cuisine of the Cape Winelands; and The Silo Hotel, centred on the art and culture of vibrant Cape Town. Before joining The Royal Portfolio, Matt spent four years at one of London’s leading corporate advisory boutiques, advising on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and disposals for both listed companies and private equity-owned assets. He holds a Business Science degree with Honours in Finance from the University of Cape Town and an MSc from Oxford University.
Shevira Bissessor Chief Operating Officer at GREA
Shevira Bissessor Chief Operating Officer at GREA Shevira joined Gateway Real Estate Africa in June 2019 and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer to identify and capitalise on long-term development opportunities that supports business growth. In addition, Shevira is also the Head of ESG at Grit Group (parent company to GREA). Shevira is a recipient of the Golden Key Award from the International Honours Society. She also lectures Feasibility Studies on the Property Development Programme at University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business in collaboration with SAPOA. Having distinguished herself at a very young age in a male dominated sector, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of talented women to reach the top of their chosen fields.
Frederic Bittar Head of Strategy & Development at PFO Immobilier
Frederic Bittar Head of Strategy & Development at PFO Immobilier With a proven track-record in development finance and M&A, Frederic Bittar joined PFO Immobilier in 2022 and is currently Head of Strategy and Development. His expertise spans complex financing operations and risk management particularly focused on Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mark Boyd CEO of APERTURE Properties
Mark Boyd CEO of APERTURE Properties It is noted by referring consultant, Vedarsharn Pillay, that Mark Boyd’s industry knowledge, transferable skill-set, and experience in the Hospitality Sector will make him an excellent fit for this commission. An accomplished Property Development and Hospitality Specialist offering more than 20 years of successful project and construction management. Additionally, highly skilled on diverse hospitality criteria, business development, contract management, resource management, and business operations. Extensive experience in concept design, planning, and construction of developments from inception to end result, and solid knowledge of all development principles, practices, and procedures. Committed to identifying and implementing continuous improvements in organisations and consistently setting high standards across all areas. Mark began his career as a bursar with Grinaker in 1984. Having completed studies and two years of active military service I worked for Grinaker Building as a Site Engineer and later as a Contracts Manager. With a leaning towards Project and Construction Management, he migrated to the Grinaker Projects and Properties division overseeing various commercial and industrial developments. It was here that he was exposed to turnkey project management affording insight on the concept, design, and budget approvals process along with the handling of on-site construction management. He was head hunted by Sun International in 1998. As a Development Manager, he gained extensive Hotel and Casino experience before being approached and offered the position of Development Director at Southern Sun (later Tsogo Sun). Here he was strategically charged with custodianship for all hotel assets, technical services, operating criteria, and purchasing along with all hotel related developments, viabilities, asset purchasing, facilities management and capex for the hotel group throughout Africa. The in-depth experience gained through his career progression over the last 20+ years has given him an unmatched, comprehensive understanding of the hospitality development in the construction industry. He has a consistent and proven track record of successfully employing best business practices that improve efficiency, reduce operating costs whilst increasing performance, all to tight time scales and within budget. Due to the significantly diverse deliverables in his role, he continuously seeks efficiencies by understanding the key drivers of success. Through regular re-evaluation he can perceive and mitigate risk within the industry and understand the critical business issues affecting the profitability and growth of the organisation.
Martin Brage Managing Director of Curzon Holdings (Mauritius) Ltd
Martin Brage Managing Director of Curzon Holdings (Mauritius) Ltd Martin is a qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 30 years’ experience focused on the delivery of residential, resort and hospitality led projects. Proven in all aspects from project feasibility, operational analysis, strategic site acquisitions, planning, procurement, project management of construction activities and ongoing asset management. Martin is extremely knowledgeable in hotel operations and can provide clear views on brand positioning, optimisation of spaces, return on investment analysis and cost control. Martin is experienced in large, complex projects and is focused on delivering predictable results, managing risk, adding value and delivering a quality product against defined delivery programmes.
Guy Briggs Partner at dhk Architects
Guy Briggs Partner at dhk Architects An architect and urban designer / planner, with 30 years experience working on projects around the world. Based in Cape Town since 2010, and with dhk Architects since 2012 - where I am a Partner & urban design principal, as well as executive director responsible for business development, business strategy, governance and risk. I serve as company secretary on on dhk's board of directors, and as non-executive director with our interiors business - dhk. I regularly talk at conferences and events, publish articles and papers, and have lectured in the UK, USA and South Africa. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (London), and an Academician of the Academy of Urbanism (London). I have previously served as a member of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront design review committee, and as Cape Town city representative for the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). Before moving to Cape Town in 2010, I was a panel member and co-Chair of the Bristol Urban Design Forum, and head of its Strategic Urban Design Advisory Group. I have also been a panel member of the London Borough of Hackney Design Review Panel, a guest critic at the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) for MA Urban Design reviews (2006 – 2008), and for the design studio at the London School of Economics Cities Programme (2001). I am a member of the Urban Design Institute of South Africa (UDISA), served on the steering committee from 2012 to 2021, and was UDISA Chairperson from 2018 to 2021. My work in practice, research and teaching is driven by a strong belief in the need for a socially responsive approach to urbanism and development, in which places are shaped and created by and for the people that will use and inhabit them.
Etienne Britz Consulting Manager at Pegasys
Etienne Britz Consulting Manager at Pegasys Etienne Britz joined Pegasus as a Consulting Manager in 2021. He leads a team of consultants in the Cities Practice which specialises in developing urban and regional strategic plans, urban design policies and plans for public sector clients in South Africa and the Middle East. Etienne draws on his 15 years of expertise as a Professional Architect and Urban Designer. He has delivered a diverse range of projects, from small residential buildings to large-scale institutional campuses and district masterplans, which skillfully integrates client needs with strategic design solutions. As a project architect, he is adept at managing multidisciplinary teams, coordinating specialist information into construction-ready documentation, and overseeing on-site problem-solving and quality control. His urban design work, which includes frameworks, form-based codes, and development guidelines, reflects his ability to navigate complex stakeholder interests to shape collaborative urban visions.
Francis Chemaly Civil Engineer at H & I Construction
Francis Chemaly Civil Engineer at H & I Construction Francis Chemaly, is a seasoned Civil Engineer with an economics background and over 35 years of experience in the construction and real estate development industry. Since graduating from the University of Stellenbosch in 1989, he has managed major roads and prestigious projects in South Africa, notably the main airport access interchange and the Chapmans Peak Concession. Holding various positions at H&I, promoted to Director from 1989 to 2020. As the Group Commercial/Financial Director since 2008, alongside Managing Director Adrian Robinson, he helped grow the H&I Group. Amongst other projects, he played a crucial role in initiatives such as the Masakh’iSizwe Public-Private Partnership, the Go for Gold education initiative, and national negotiations representing the South African construction industry.
Kura Chihota Regional Property Consultant at eXp Realty Kura is a seasoned property professional with experience across property development, asset management especially in listed real estate environment. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of the Witwatersrand, and attended the Real Estate Management Program at Harvard Business School. He has served as Chairman of Investment Committee on the Boards of two listed real estate companies in South Africa and consulted in Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Maruza Chikwanha Managing Director of Ivhu Logistics Real Estate
Maruza Chikwanha Managing Director of Ivhu Logistics Real Estate Zimbabwean born and raised Maruza Chikwanha is the Development Director for award winning company Africa Logistics Properties based out of Nairobi, Kenya. Responsible for delivering Kenya’s first Grade A Industrial Park, he is an accomplished and versatile property developer with over 18 years of construction and development experience in emerging and developed markets, namely Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Australia. An environmentally and socially conscious property professional with an undeniable passion for the African continent and her people. He is a Construction Management graduate from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and was a finalist of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Young Professional of the year.
Itai Chirume Executive Director of MMC Capital
Itai Chirume Executive Director of MMC Capital Itai has over 16 years of professional working experience in the financial services sector, spanning asset management, stockbroking, investment banking, and commercial law. He is a member of the CFA Society (South Africa), a registered legal practitioner, conveyance, and notary public as well as a registered stockbroker and member of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE)
Eng. Silibaziso Chizwina Chief Investment Promotion Officer at Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency
Eng. Silibaziso Chizwina Chief Investment Promotion Officer at Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Strategic land and urban development specialist, experienced in Infrastructure Development with a demonstrated history of working in quasi Government and Public Sector developments and administration. Passionate about creating public and private sector synergies in the financing and development of infrastructure and increasing the involvement and role of women in the construction industry. Skilled in Project Management, Value Engineering, Public Procurement, Public Financial Management, Strategic Planning, Project Estimation & Urban Planning and Development
Dr Wanda Chunnett Consultant at Turner & Townsend
Dr Wanda Chunnett Consultant at Turner & Townsend Wanda has more than 30 years of experience in the public, mining, infrastructure and energy sectors. She consults to a range of global and local blue-chip clients involved in large projects and infrastructure development, assisting them with effective project implementation and delivery improvement initiatives. Wanda graduated with a BSc from Rhodes University and an MBA from the University of Cape Town and, as she has a passion for the development of small businesses and the potential value that they can add to infrastructure delivery, she completed her PhD in Economics, developing a model for how developing economies can leverage the value that constrained entrepreneurs deliver through the establishment of such small businesses. As she understands how both private and public sector entities work and the business drivers that enable them to function, Wanda is able to work on large EPC, EPCM and PPP projects for both private and public sector entities and has extensive experience working with State Owned Enterprises on the delivery of megaprojects.
James Delaney Artist at Delaney Studios
James Delaney Artist at Delaney Studios James Delaney is a contemporary artist working in print, charcoal, paint, photography and sculpture from his studio at Victoria Yards, Johannesburg, South Africa. His work has been shown in over 50 group and solo exhibitions in SA, the USA, England and France over the past 20 years, as well as at art fairs including Art on Paper in New York. He has won awards from BASA and SAIA for public art installations.
Sebastian Dieperink Sales Executive at ARCIS
Sebastian Dieperink Sales Executive at ARCIS Sebastian Dieperink is a Sales Executive at Arcis in Cape Town, holding a Bachelor of Science in Property Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). With a strong foundation in property management and development, Sebastian began his career as a Project Manager at Rawson Developers, where he oversaw residential projects around Cape Town. At Arcis, he brings his expertise to the sales team, assisting clients in navigating the local real estate market and managing the existing rental portfolio.
Sarah Divaris Chief Operating Officer at Boxwood Property Fund
Sarah Divaris Chief Operating Officer at Boxwood Property Fund Sarah Divaris serves as Boxwood Property Fund’s Chief Operating Officer. At age 30, she stands as one of the youngest COOs in the sector. With a Business Science Degree in Finance and Economics and a CFA Charterholder designation, Sarah brings a remarkable blend of financial acumen, strategic thinking, and creative vision that has been pivotal in Boxwood's growth. Her early involvement in planning and executing Boxwood's first major acquisition laid the foundation for her growing responsibilities in managing and expanding the company’s now R3 billion property portfolio across various sectors and geographies. She is renowned for making key decisions and collaborating effectively with professionals to drive business excellence. With a forward-thinking approach, Sarah continuously seeks innovative solutions to drive sustainable growth and success within the organization.
Mncedisi Dumse Senior Transactor: Real Estate Finance at Standard Bank Group
Mncedisi Dumse Senior Transactor: Real Estate Finance at Standard Bank Group Property Finance: I have been working in the Property Finance industry from 2012. I have been exposed to funding opportunities across various sectors (industrial, retail, residential and offices) and geograhic locations (North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng in South Africa. Cross border includes Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique and Zambia).
Tarek ElGamal Chairman at Redcon Properties
Tarek ElGamal Chairman at Redcon Properties With over forty years in construction development, Tarek mastered management and innovation. Civil Engineering graduate, certified consultant in “TQM”, “Leadership Excellence” – AUC & Kellogg School of Management, "Latest Technological Developments in the field of Construction & Energy Efficiency”, Tarek is considered one of the most visionary businessmen in the Egyptian market being a board of directors’ member of two governmental companies; former founding board member of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development-the biggest real estate developer in Egypt- as well as an active board member in the largest TOD developer in Egypt - The Ministry of Transportation for Investments and Projects. Tarek is also a board of directors member in eight international chambers and councils. Tarek Elgamal is the founder and Chaiman of Redcon Construction, one of the ‘big 5’ construction companies in Egypt, with 5 billion EGP annual turnover as of 2019. In 2019, Redcon founded a subsidiary company with the name of Redcon for Offices and Commercial Centers (ROCC). Golden Gate project will be the first flagship development by ROCC. The “Golden Gate” project is a breakthrough innovation in mixed-used developments introduced for the first time in the Egyptian market.
Neil Elison Head: Tech & Marketing Design at RoomKing
Neil Elison Head: Tech & Marketing Design at RoomKing Graduated with his BSc. Hons. in Property Studies in 2011, Neil started his career as a Property Portfolio Manager in SA. In 2015, he helped build a property asset management company that grew its portfolio to over R1billion within 4 years. Following a brief consulting period in Denmark, Neil came back to South Africa to launch his Real Estate Group which focuses on servicing and educating the affordable residential property market in South Africa. Using his experience and knowledge of the affordable space, Neil heads up the marketing and tech design for RoomKing.
Julien Fouilliart Building & Infrastructure Leader at Bureau Veritas Group
Julien Fouilliart Building & Infrastructure Leader at Bureau Veritas Group Julien is a seasoned business development professional with 15 years of experience in international, multicultural, and cross-sector environments. He currently leads the growth of Bureau Veritas' Building & Infrastructure market across the Middle East, Caspian, and Africa regions. Julien holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Belfort University in France. He is based in Kenya and has a deep passion for the African continent. Julien has played a key role in the development of iconic infrastructure projects across the region. His experience includes collaborating with public and private institutions in sectors such as aerospace, IT, rail, building and transport infrastructure.
Raghav Gandhi CEO of Africa Logistics Properties
Raghav Gandhi CEO of Africa Logistics Properties Raghav is an experienced real-estate professional with a proven track record of delivering results globally across asset classes. He has jointly led the growth of a major commercial real estate start-up venture in India and headed the development of projects across the MENA region for a major real estate developer in Kuwait, where he was also responsible for optimising returns from a number of underperforming investments. He subsequently established his own consulting practice, which advised GCC families and corporates on real estate transactions and projects in the UK and the Middle East. Raghav joined Acorn in February 2020 as a consultant for the implementation of the Acorn REITs. He worked closely with the Corporate Finance and Corporate Affairs/Legal teams, as well as with transaction advisors, service providers and investors. Effective 1st November 2020, Raghav was appointed as Chief Investment Officer – AHL / Managing Director – AIML. Raghav holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Sciences in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Zachariah George Managing Partner at Launch Africa
Zachariah George Managing Partner at Launch Africa Zach is the Managing Partner at Launch Africa Ventures - Africa's most prominent and active early-stage VC Fund with a portfolio of 140+ tech ventures across 20+ countries. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Startupbootcamp AfriTech – the leading multi-corporate backed venture accelerator program in Africa. Zach is a prominent Angel investor in 50+ leading tech startups in Africa including Flutterwave, KudaBank, Mono, Marketforce and several others. He was featured on the cover of Fast Company (May 2018), Destiny Man (Nov 2019), Forbes (Aug 2023), and on several occasions on CNBC Africa. In 2020, he was recognized as one of the Top 4 Most Influential Persons in Technology in Africa by Les Echos (the French equivalent of the Financial Times). Zach was formerly the head of Africa Investments for U-Start – the largest network of private Multi-Family offices in Europe. Prior to moving to South Africa, he was an investment banker on Wall Street covering mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance strategy and risk management at Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital, New York. Zach has a Master’s degree in Finance & Management from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology. Outside of his professional life, Zach is an acoustic guitarist, pianist and vocalist with cover albums ‘Give A Little’ (2010) and ‘Humans with Hearts’ (2018) on iTunes and Spotify. He is an avid lover of theater and the performing arts, likes hiking and a good game of tennis and squash. He enjoys creative writing and is currently busy finishing a work of non-fiction.
Eleni Georgopoulou Founder & CEO of YourHost
Eleni Georgopoulou Founder & CEO of YourHost With over six years of experience as the founder and CEO of YourHost, I lead East Africa's premier property management company that operates in the short-term rental industry. YourHost helps property investors and developers in the African continent generate the highest possible yield for their assets in a smart and effortless way. At YourHost, we are committed in unlocking property's value by using sustainable design practices, hospitality practices and cutting-edge technology. As an individual and leader, I am passionate about hospitality values, tech innovation, and impactful design practices. I leverage my skills in customer relationship management, team leadership, and public relations to deliver innovative tech solutions and out-of-the-box design practices. My goal is to create a community where all three pillars are accessible to everyone, anywhere. Therefore, this is the mission of YourHost; to disrupt Africa's existing real estate landscape towards a greener, impactful, and well-balanced future.
Sterik Gerber Director & Pricipal Architect of Boogertman + Partners Architects
Sterik Gerber Director & Pricipal Architect of Boogertman + Partners Architects Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the architecture & construction industry (22years).Experience and skills in Project Management, Mixed-use developments, Commercial Offices, Hotel and Leisure, Industrial, Motor Related Retail, Commercial Retail and High Density Residential. Strong professional with a M. Tech Arch from Tshwane University and MBL (Business Leadership) from University of SA focused in Architecture and Business Strategy.
Sylvain Gilet Director of AIRE
Sylvain Gilet Director of AIRE Sylvain is a director for AIRE covering North and Francophone Africa. He has nearly 10 years of experience in Africa and in real estate.
Gary Goliath Innovation Lead: Real Estate Products at Quoin Technologies
Gary Goliath Innovation Lead: Real Estate Products at Quoin Technologies Gary is an executive at Quoin – a local firm focused on real estate technology products for institutional property investors and brokers.
Jason Green General Manager: Property at Fedgroup
Jason Green General Manager: Property at Fedgroup Property professional holding degrees in Finance and Property. Optimist and lifelong learner. Special interests in property finance, investments, development and technology.
Bani Haddad Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality
Bani Haddad Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality Following a successful 25-year career in the hospitality business, Bani Haddad founded Aleph Hospitality in 2015 to provide hotel owners in the Middle East and Africa with a customised, results-driven alternative to traditional hotel management models. A visionary leader, acclaimed speaker and widely respected hotelier, Bani successfully developed, launched and managed several major international hotel brands prior to making the bold move to set up Aleph Hospitality. From site selection, fundraising and construction at Hospitality Management Services and pre- and post-opening operations at Starwood and Disneyland Resort Paris, to strategic growth and development as Regional Vice President Middle East & Africa for Wyndham Hotel Group, Bani has first-hand experience in virtually every aspect of hotel management.
Cheryl Hillman Director: Property Development of Citra
Cheryl Hillman Director: Property Development of Citra Development manager with over 15 years experience delivery of affordable housing projects, from concept, planning and approvals, to final product delivery. In addition, my 20 years in the Architectural field provides an in-depth understanding of best-practice design approaches in development concepts, planning and specification. Driven by a passion for sustainable development, a key focus is to achieve the best quality living environments within the limited budgets of the affordable housing space. Edge and Eco districts accredited professional.
Malcolm Horne Group CEO of Broll Property Group
Malcolm Horne Group CEO of Broll Property Group Malcolm is the Group CEO of the Broll Property Group a leading commercial property company whose reach extends from South Africa right across 15 Sub-Saharan African countries and into the Indian Ocean Islands. With more than 2,000 employees and assets under management of R260 billion, Horne’s expertise in the highly competitive commercial property sector is widely respected. He has a degree in Law backed by numerous post-graduate courses in property-related fields. Horne has always had a vision to give back , transform and to develop a professional property services business that can compete with the best in the world. In June 2019 Broll announced a strategic partnership affiliation for Occupier Services across Sub Saharan Africa with Cushman & Wakefield known as Cushman & Wakefield|Broll reporting to Horne.
Sandeep Sinha Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Consulting at JLL
Sandeep Sinha Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Consulting at JLL Sandeep has 24+ years of experience in the healthcare industry with rich experience in strategic consulting, hospital projects, operations & management, and HCIT solutions. He has managed over 700+ research and consulting projects across MEA and South Asia region in the areas of ; healthcare delivery, medical technology, healthcare IT, biotech & pharma, diagnostics, wellness, extended care, business & financial Sector (Private Equity & IBs). Sandeep ‘s core strength lies in growth strategies, market entry strategies, geographical expansion, new product launch, detailed business plan & feasibility studies, , business facilitation and partner search, competitive benchmarking, technical , commercial & operational due diligence & M&A support, healthcare IPOs. Sandeep has worked with most of the leading healthcare and life sciences clients in the region: In his previous assignments Sandeep has worked with Frost & Sullivan, Dubai as Head and Associate Partner of Healthcare practice for MEA and SA region, Televital India, Narayanan Health India (he was involved in setting up six hospitals projects across South Asia), NU Hospitals, India.
Tim Irvine National Client Experience & Asset Manager at Growthpoint Properties
Tim Irvine National Client Experience & Asset Manager at Growthpoint Properties Tim has over 20 years of experience in property law, finance, development, management, and asset management. After earning a BA and LLB, Tim was admitted as an Attorney, Notary, and Conveyancer. He also holds an MBA and other qualifications.
Dirk Janse Van Rensburg Managing Director Key Software Solutions of Pragma Global
Dirk Janse Van Rensburg Managing Director Key Software Solutions of Pragma Global At Pragma, my leadership over the past 6 years has centered on spearheading On Key software solutions that revolutionize asset performance management. Our organization's mission, to be at the forefront of maintenance management globally, is fueled by my expertise in business analysis, strategic planning, and software development. The collaboration with my team has resulted in the creation of smart enterprise asset management tools, a testament to our dedication and innovation. We take pride in our tailored approach, always aiming for a synergy of strategy, systems, and human insight to elevate the assets' life cycle and performance.
Gavin Johnston Partner at PWC
Gavin Johnston Partner at PWC Passionate about purpose and making a difference. I love what I do. Gavin is a partner at PwC, where he leads the Workforce Productivity and Performance business for Africa. He has over 17 years of experience in helping organisations improve their operational efficiency, customer experience, and revenue growth through lean and agile transformations. He is also a global relationship partner, managing the strategic and long-term partnership between PwC and two multinational clients. As a results-focused, purpose-driven, and people-oriented leader, Gavin thrives on building strong client relationships and bringing out the best in his teams. He has successfully created and grown new business capabilities for PwC, both in the UK and Africa, based on his international and cross-sector expertise. He has delivered multiple large and complex business improvement programmes, achieving 15-30% productivity uplifts and significant value creation for his clients. He is passionate about developing operational leaders and employees who can innovate and solve problems in a connected, resilient, and agile way.
Tim Harlech Jones Executive Director of Bentel Associates International
Tim Harlech Jones Executive Director of Bentel Associates International A a registered Architect, my specific experience has been very much in the hospitality and mixed-use genre of design, having worked on numerous retail, hotel, resorts and mixed-use (incorporating retail, hospitality, office and residential) projects across Africa and the Middle-East. As Executive Director, I am responsible for the growth of the brand and also the pipeline of new projects. Our major geographical area of growth at present is Sub-Saharan Africa, across retail, residential, hospitality and office projects, majority of which are in a mixed-use or planned multi-use or masterplanned precincts. My strengths lie in the initiation and viability of projects, establishing the design, costing and indicative project program, and the broad development process to establish a viable and feasible project. My skill set is varied and I have the ability to be able to effectively manage a project right through to completion and handover, having done this on projects ranging in size and complexity from a small retail centre or vehicle showroom, to a mega mixed-use development in the 100,000's of sq/m.
Mark Kalkwarf CEO of ATYPICAL
Mark Kalkwarf CEO of ATYPICAL I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in the 80s and had a pretty ‘normal’ upbringing with my two older siblings. After finishing school, I was encouraged to get into technology by my dad who owned his own software development company for many years. I worked as a software developer for a bit but slowly gravitated towards a role that allowed me to explore my creativity and be more people-facing. I found this in marketing. I moved to Cape Town in 2007 with my wife and had three kids (bgb). In 2018 I started ATYPICAL and finally scratched the entrepreneurial itch that was passed on to me from my father. When I am not ‘being a CEO’, I’m trying to be a good husband and dad. When I need to clear my head, I’m either taking photographs, walking in the forest, reading, or exploring some other hobby that has caught the attention of my ADHD brain.
Patrick Katabua Managing Director of KATAFRICA Strategic Solutions
Patrick Katabua Managing Director of KATAFRICA Strategic Solutions Independent Consultant. Experienced Advisor and Fellow of RICS, having unlocked value & created opportunities in 35+ countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. Passionate about strategic consulting- for business development & growth. Previously in Corporate and Investment Banking focusing on origination & deal structuring for key clients across Sub-Saharan Africa. Board member for organisations seeking to create positive impact on how we live, work and play. Frequent conference moderator.
Andrew Kusewa Kilonzi Director & Principal Architect of Boogertman and Partners Architects Andrew Kusewa Kilonzi is the Director at Boogertman + Partners Architects. Andrew holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon.
Santosh Lalloo Fund Principal Private Equity at PIC
Santosh Lalloo Fund Principal Private Equity at PIC I completed my audit articles with Ernst & Young (“EY”), Johannesburg and thereafter joined the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which facilitated shaping a career in unlisted asset management. Through active engagement in my role, I have gained strong experience and
Tracy Leibowitz Head of Strategy: Workplace and EVP at REO Consulting
Tracy Leibowitz Head of Strategy: Workplace and EVP at REO Consulting I am an experienced professional with over 16 years experience in both corporate and consulting environments and have a proven ability to deliver under pressure. A few of the highlights from my career include; being the strategy and change lead for numerous large-scale property consolidation projects, the successful roll out of agility and new ways of working in a variety of environments, the derivative hedging of very large M&A transactions while at Citi, the launch of Citi's online dealing platform which significantly changed the manner in which the bank interacts with its clients and the launch of my company just THRIVE. I am very passionate about the employee experience, workspace and the future of work and have utilised my expertise and knowledge to develop cutting-edge solutions for companies of all sizes and complexities
Rael Levitt Chairperson at Lisa
Rael Levitt Chairperson at Lisa I have spent over 30 years establishing and growing businesses. I have experienced the exciting path of entrepreneurship, leadership, and turning vision into reality. I firmly believe that persistence, passion, introspection and boundless curiosity are essential for success. As the CEO and founder of Inospace and Lisa, I am committed to propelling these companies forward through technology and innovation, revolutionising the commercial real estate industry. Inospace specializes in last-mile logistics and industrial parks to support entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Lisa provides advanced technology for lease management, tenant relationship enhancement, and comprehensive demand-side analytics for commercial property portfolios. Growing up in the beautiful city of Cape Town and having studied in various parts of the world, my pioneering nature has enabled me to travel extensively. I consider myself a global citizen who enjoys collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds. During my travels, I obtained dual master's degrees from UCLA and the National University of Singapore and authored a best-selling memoir. I am a devoted runner, loyal friend, and family member with a profound interest in people, history, and future trends. Throughout my journey, I have learned that success is not about the numbers we achieve but the impact we create.
Ram Lokan Principal-Investments at Kasada Capital Management
Ram Lokan Principal-Investments at Kasada Capital Management I am a passionate and successful operator and investor in the global retail and real estate sector. My numerous years of experience in both the institutional and entrepreneurial world have given me unique insights when assessing new investment opportunities. I hold a B.Comm with First Class Honors in Economics & Finance from McGill University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School where I was a George F. Baker Scholar. I am the author of Sweat the Small Stuff!, a book describing my experience buying, building, and selling a business in East Africa.
Dr. Michael Louis Chairman at WestProp Holdings
Dr. Michael Louis Chairman at WestProp Holdings Dr Louis has vast experience as a Property Executive for some of the largest property companies in South Africa. His personal leadership positions in Property Development includes Shopping Centre Executive for OK Bazaars Development & Estates where he managed 25 shopping centres and Provincial Fund Manager for Sanlam Properties, Gauteng Province. Michael was National Chairman of the African Christian Democratic Party of South Africa and provincial Minister of Local Government and his passion is to make a social difference to Africa.
Steven Louw CEO of Steyn City
Steven Louw CEO of Steyn City Steven Louw is the CEO of Steyn City Properties, a 2,000 acre residential lifestyle estate in Gauteng, ranked among the world's top ten.
Pumi Lukhele Head of Developments and Construction: East Africa at GREA Nompumelelo (Pumi) Lukhele is armed with over 18 years of experience in commercial real estate development and in the last 4 years Pumi’s experience expanded across the African continent delivering on retail, offices, hospitality, industrial and data center projects. Pumi joined Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA) in 2018 when it was 2 years in business and was involved in introducing processes and procedures to be implemented specifically in the development department and then later integrated these into other departments. Pumi’s successful engagement with land and property owners, local authorities, financial institutions, local and international consultants/tenants as well as the media houses across East Africa and South Africa enhanced industry awareness of GREA’s appetite for commercial real estate investment and development. This resulted in the acquisition, refurbishment, and launching of its 1st retail property in East Africa in 2019 and further increased project pipeline within the East African Region.
Anneke Lund Executive Sustainable Finance at Standard Bank Group
Anneke Lund Executive Sustainable Finance at Standard Bank Group Success is best when it's shared, and Anneke Lund firmly believes that there is power in appreciating our differences as we come together to achieve a common goal. An environmentalist at heart, she is committed to sustainability, and it’s no surprise that her favourite ways to stay active involve being out in nature. In her spare time, she can be found either riding a wave as she surfs or riding her bike. Fiercely competitive and highly self-assured, Anneke is unfazed by the male dominance in the industry and is, instead, committed to driving transformation, where men and women are equally judged, purely on merit. As an executive in the Sustainable Finance team, she has played a crucial role in driving the right behaviour across her client portfolio and within the bank, as it relates to environmental and social impact. Recently, her team successfully led the arrangement of the first ZAR-based sustainability-linked funding in the South African automotive sector for Motus Holdings. This innovative financing solution is designed to support the continued growth ambitions of the business while also aligning with its ESG commitments.
Simanga Madhlabuta Director: Projects of Troika Design Workshop
Simanga Madhlabuta Director: Projects of Troika Design Workshop A budding entrepreneur & property developer with vast corporate management experience in various industries. Having worked in FMCG, Telecoms & Real Estate, I felt that I had gathered enough experience to start carving out my own story. I ventured into the fun & creative industry of construction & property development, and I’ve loved every bit of it so far. I still consult & coach in various spheres and love tech and traveling.
Wabo Majavu Executive Strategy & Business Operations at African Data Centres
Wabo Majavu Executive Strategy & Business Operations at African Data Centres Experienced Head Of Product Management with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications industry. Skilled in 3G, Analytical Skills, Requirements Analysis, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and IT Strategy. Strong product management professional with a Master's Degree focused in Electrical from University of the Witwatersrand.
Chipo Mandela Managing Director of Liam Collection
Chipo Mandela Managing Director of Liam Collection Chipo is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA). She holds an MBA from Management College of Southern Africa. She is an accredited Full Member of the Institute of Administration and Commerce in Zimbabwe (FIAC, Z). She is also a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD,SA). Awarded Female Tourism Manager of the Year 2014 - Megafest Tourism Awards Chipo has over 15 years experience having worked for TA Holdings Ltd as Assistant Company Secretary. She also worked at Cresta Holdings Head Office based in Johannesburg in various capacities before being re-assigned to be based in Zimbabwe in 2012 as Head of Finance & Administration in charge of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana.
Imogen Mantel Head of Analysis at Liberty Two Degrees
Imogen Mantel Head of Analysis at Liberty Two Degrees As a Property Financial Analyst I scrutinize financial, trading, retailer and other associated data by collecting, monitoring and studying data; recommending actions. Specifically looking at the analysis of retail property portfolios and trends. This information allows the clients to make well informed decisions on their investments.My organisational skills and work ethic allow me to adapt quickly to new environments and produce high quality work.
Waldo Marcus Industry Principal at MRI Software
Waldo Marcus Industry Principal at MRI Software An accomplished Commercial, Sales and Marketing Executive with over 17 years experience leading and executing omni-channel marketing and sales strategies across industries. A Well-rounded strategic thinking ability with a strong financial and business acumen to support decision making to ensure business objectives are achieved. Demonstrable career in Marketing and Consumer Leadership roles prior to evolving into Customer Experience and Sale Leadership with sophisticated knowledge of marketing and sales tactics to drive revenue and growth. Passionate about the adoption of cross-industry skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure business innovation and growth. Culturally nuanced with experience working in complex organisational structures with multi-cultural teams (focused on Diversity and Inclusion). NQF Level 8 with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (with distinction) from Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), a BCom degree in Marketing Management from the University of Pretoria and completed a certificate in Sports Marketing at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
Richard Marshall Founder of Nox Cape Town
Richard Marshall Founder of Nox Cape Town Richard Marshall founded Nox Cape Town in 2004. Nox is a leading vacation rental property manager, and estate agency. Over the past 20 years in the industry Richard has been involved in building the Nox brand, developing a vacation rental distribution technology which was acquired by a major US organisation (MyBookingPal), and is currently working with industry partners to establish an industry body representing short-term rental stakeholders. A proud South African, he is passionate about property, hospitality and property investment, and about the fantastic experience Cape Town has to offer.
Welcome Mavingire Managing Consultant at Intellego Investment Consultants
Welcome Mavingire Managing Consultant at Intellego Investment Consultants Welcome boasts over 25 years’ experience in financial services and prior to co-founding Intellego in 2013, he had spent over a decade as an investment analyst and fund manager. Intellego consults for over 70 pension funds in Zimbabwe and have advised a number of property-related transactions including investment structuring, capital raising, property funds & REIT set-ups as well as listings on securities exchanges. Welcome is a CFA Charter-holder and founding president of the Investment Professionals Association of Zimbabwe (IPAZ). He is also the Interim Vice-Chair of the Capital Markets Association of Zimbabwe and an Interim Board Member of the Zimbabwe REIT Association
Kenneth Mbae Managing Director of Centum Real Estate Kenneth joined Centum in 2010 as an intern in the real estate team and has grown to his current position though delivery of various projects including leading the setup of Pearl Marina (UG), establishing the estate and mall management business within Two Rivers Development, setting up Vipingo Development from value creations all the way to ground breaking. He also served as the Ag. Deputy Managing Director of Athena Properties.
Andrew McLachlan Founder & Managing Director of develop hotels inc
Andrew McLachlan Founder & Managing Director of develop hotels inc Andrew McLachlan is the Founder and Managing Director of develop hotels inc, a multi-discipline company specializing in the hotel, resort, and lodge industry. The firm provides independent expertise and services exclusively to owners and investors in areas such as hotel development management advisory, investment viability, capital raising, buy- and sell-side advisory, asset management and owner representation. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, develop hotels inc brings extensive skills and a deep understanding of Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands to all aspects of hotel development. The company's clients and projects range from boutique hotels and safari lodges to large, globally branded new build hotels and refurbishments. Their clients include high-net-worth individuals, family offices, multinational conglomerates and listed property funds.
Thando Mcunu Senior Associate & Data Analyst at Genesis Global Business Services
Thando Mcunu Senior Associate & Data Analyst at Genesis Global Business Services Analyst and Researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting industry. Strong research development professional with an academic background in anthropology and social science and a keen interest in market research .
Thomas Meyer Senior Investment Manager at DEG
Thomas Meyer Senior Investment Manager at DEG Experienced Senior Investment Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services- and development industries. Skilled in Impact Investing, Structured Finance, Risk Management, Derivatives, Financial Analysis, and Commodity Markets. Strong finance professional with Degrees in Finance & Banking, Investment- and portfolio management, Accounting/Auditing, Law and Theology. Specific specializations in Impact- and Environmental Finance.
Modicai Mnculwane CEO of RoomKing
Modicai Mnculwane CEO of RoomKing I am Modicai Mnculwane, the CEO of RoomKing, and it is my honour to share with you the vision and motivation behind my platform. From a young age, I have always believed in doing something that will make a difference. This belief is not abstract for me; it is deeply personal. I have seen firsthand the challenges that come with informal backroom through the experiences of my own family and friends. These challenges have shaped my commitment to creating a solution that not only addresses these issues but also empowers those involved in this sector. Growing up in the small village of Estcourt, Midlands as herdboy, farmer running home daily chores balancing with matric I learn valuable lesson of uBuntu and making a difference become my ever inspiration. In pursuit of something bigger, I made my way to Johannesburg in early 2006. I found refuge at the Jeppe flats and landed a job as a rent collector in Hillbrow – neither of which were for the fainthearted. Day in and day out, I knocked on doors collecting rent money, and that’s where my journey and passion for property were born. I later move to Alexander township where backroom rental passion was fuel and fall in love with it. My family (Smangele) has backroom in Alexander, Lyndhurst and been involved in renting and managing them, back then. The success of RoomKing is a testament to the importance of personal experience and empathy in driving innovation and social impact. By addressing the challenges, I have faced personally, I am committed to creating positive change in the lives of others. This journey has shown me the power of personal connection and dedication in driving meaningful change. Today, I invite you to join us on this journey. With your support, we can continue to expand our impact, improve the lives of countless individuals, and redefine the landscape of informal rentals.
Nkosi Moyo Analyst at Control Risks
Nkosi Moyo Analyst at Control Risks A highly-motivated and driven individual with a particular interest in the links between businesses, socio-economic issues, governance in Africa and the international political economy. My academic background includes a Master of Arts qualification in International Relations at Wits University and an MBA at Wits Business School, with a focus on Strategy, Management Consulting and Business in Africa, to name a few. With working exposure in industries such as Management Consulting and the banking sector, I am constantly seeking to utilize my expertise to deliver high-quality performance and service within the workplace environment. Other interest of mine are sports, investment, conflict management, diplomacy, mediation, the causes of wars, history and politics in general. Future endeavours include travelling to every continent, pro-actively contributing to poverty alleviation, increasing awareness on the importance of education, enhancing my knowledge on business strategy and investment
Theo Mseka CEO of Private Property
Theo Mseka CEO of Private Property My initial entry into the real estate industry was somewhat serendipitous. In 2001, my business partner and I developed a GIS map based on the Open GIS Consortium specifications at GoMedia—this was four years before Google Maps was even on the scene. We began by plotting land parcels and displaying property-specific data like municipal rates, which at the time was groundbreaking.
Daniel Mueller Chief Operating Officer at InfraCredit
Daniel Mueller Chief Operating Officer at InfraCredit Daniel is the Chief Operating Officer at Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited
Emma Muller Founder & CEO of KaacKai
Emma Muller Founder & CEO of KaacKai With close to 15 years of experience in financial investment and project management, Emma has successfully launched and led KaacKai's first of its kind wastewater regeneration Pods that generate high quality clean water without any noise or smell, using Danish patented wastewater treatment technology and mimicking nature's processes. Emma has qualifications in luxury brand management, negotiation, as well as a doctorate in contemporary history. She has successfully leveraged her diverse skills and knowledge to create valuable partnerships and linkages across sectors and regions, and identify and pursue impactful investment opportunities.
Kudakwashe Musundire Managing Director of Mashonaland Holdings
Kudakwashe Musundire Managing Director of Mashonaland Holdings Kudakwashe is a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years' experience in financial management and auditing in various industries which have included telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing and retail. Kudakwashe holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree in Accounting from the National University of Science and Technology as well as an Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science from the University of South Africa. Kudakwashe completed his articles training with BDO Zimbabwe Chartered Accountants and has held management positions with TelOne, First Mutual Holdings and PG Industries. Prior to this appointment Kudakwashe held the position of Finance Director of TelOne (Private) Limited.
Gadwel Musyoka Chief Executive Officer at BAKYSON ENTERPRISES LIMITED I am a multifaceted, highly-qualified, and self-motivated professional. My on-the-job experience has afforded me a well-rounded skill set in areas of; Sales and marketing, Customer Service Management, Business Development, Project Planning & Promotions
Edson Muvingi CEO of Zimre Property Investments
Edson Muvingi CEO of Zimre Property Investments Edson has more than twenty years’ experience in real estate particularly project management, property management and property valuations. Edson brings complementary skills to the already highly skilled and experienced team, ensuring that Management represents a resilient, adaptable and productive Company. He worked for DDF, Bard Real Estate (Bard Unit Trusts), and Old Mutual Properties. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rural and Urban Planning (UZ), Diploma in Real Estate (REIZ), Masters of Science Degree in Infrastructure Planning (Germany) and a Masters of Business Administration (UZ). Edson is a Registered Valuer and Estate Agent (Zimbabwe and Namibia).
Wesam Okasha Managing Director & Board Member of TUI Blue Hotels LLC
Wesam Okasha Managing Director & Board Member of TUI Blue Hotels LLC Wesam Okasha is a German citizen and a native Global Player with direct link to worldwide network of ultra high-net-worth individuals (HNWI/UHNWI) and regional Family Offices. He completed his early education in Beirut & received his academic education in Switzerland, Germany and the USA, specializing in all aspects of hospitality & tourism industries. Wesam is well versed in all development, Procurement & operating disciplines including Pre-& Post-openings as General Manager & Regional Manager as well. He was most noted and known for the "Cosmopolitan Energizer Osprey" in all his Merges & Acquisitions activities on 4 continents. Mr. Okasha has completed several strategic merges, acquisitions, rebranding and investments for cnt group and other companies/investors in the Emerging markets and Middle East area, where he also served as Regional Director of operation, turn around General Manager & business developer. Due to his extensive experience & exceptional relationships within the emerging markets, Wesam acted as senior consultant in different merge & acquisition catering-projects before been appointed at the Lufthansa SG as Vice President Sales & Services for the Emerging Markets Region. Since 2014, Wesam fully contributed as Senior Development Advisor to the TUI Group & ROBINSON Club Brands. Introduced 65+opportunities with local JV partners for equity placement abroad. Focus countries Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Vietnam, Thailand, La Reunion, Rodrigues Island, United Arab Emirates & a selected key cities within the EMEA. With a versatile professional and multiple lingual backgrounds, Wesam has command of a variety of cultural settings including Africa, Western Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. He is fluent in French, German, English, Spanish and Arabic, also he is conversant in Italian and Hebrew. Wesam Okasha holds an MBA with major in International Business from the Chase University in Athens, Georgia, United States of America.
Ulrik Raysse Founding Partner & CEO of ARROW
Ulrik Raysse Founding Partner & CEO of ARROW Ulrik is the CEO and founding partner of ARROW, established in 2012. Based in Copenhagen, he leads ARROW's design output and develops design strategies for all projects. Ulrik works closely with project managers and external collaborators to ensure the seamless transition of design concepts to completed projects. With a strong focus on delivering high-quality cross-border projects, he has successfully overseen large-scale developments in Europe and Africa. Under his leadership, ARROW has built a global network of collaborators and consultants, making a significant impact in the international design landscape.
Skye Revell COO at ATYPICAL
Skye Revell COO at ATYPICAL Growing up I wanted to be an actress or a psychologist. Then I realized I wasn’t the next Charlize, that the film industry wasn’t as glamorous as it seems, and that my inner empath wasn’t cut out for psychiatry. Still desperately wanting to pursue something creative that could marry my love for entertainment with my fascination for the human mind and the things that make us tick, I discovered (and fell in love with) the power of marketing and so began my career. Fast forward a few years and I met Mark, he pitched starting ATYPICAL (I thought he was nuts but hell, why not) and the rest is, well… here we are! I try keep the crazy contained and manage the wild ideas that our agency (and Mark) come up with and I love every minute of it. When I’m not in the office, you can probably find me soaking up the sun with a good book, eating something delicious, trying to run it off, or convincing my husband that bodyboarders are as cool as surfers.
Lisa Reynolds CEO of GBCSA
Lisa Reynolds CEO of GBCSA Lisa has been involved in Energy Efficiency and the built environment since 2003. She was President of the SAEEC (Southern African Association of Energy Efficiency Confederation) from 2016 to 2019 and was the previous President of the ESCo (Energy Services Companies) Association. Lisa was instrumental in the formation of SAFEE (Southern African Females in Energy Efficiency) within SAEEC. She was the driver for the drafting of Energy Efficiency Standards and Regulation for Buildings in South Africa. Her passion for the “Green space” started with the birth of the Green Building Council in 2007. For many years Lisa served on the Board of the Green Building Council and became CEO in June 2020. Lisa has a BSc, an MBA and CEM. Lisa’s awards include 2007 ETA award for Women, 2008 Individual Energy (SAEE), 2012 SABS Standards Writer Award; the 2014 Women in Energy (SAWIEN); and the 2016 Ian Lane Hall of Fame award. Lisa believes in a sustainable future created by sharing of knowledge, setting trends and influencing change.
Aileen Rodel CEO of RE-TECSolutions
Aileen Rodel CEO of RE-TECSolutions I have worked in the retail industry for more than 15 years across the disciplines of management, marketing and digital transformation. I have retail in my blood, and it is my passion. I have recently launched my own business consulting agency, providing expert advice and support with a personal touch to enable business, people and brand transformation and growth. I can partner with you offering solutions and support on complex projects, working effectively across diverse business, retail and technology organisations.
Hildegard Rohr Market Intelligence & Research Lead at CBRE
Hildegard Rohr Market Intelligence & Research Lead at CBRE Dr. Rohr is a highly accomplished professional with a strong background in the field of research and analysis of the built environment. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Town and Regional Planning in 2011, followed by a master's degree in 2012, and obtained her doctorate in Planning in 2019 from the North-West University of Potchefstroom. With over 12 years of experience, Dr. Rohr has made significant contributions to various groundbreaking projects. She has authored several influential works, amongst others the "Gauteng Human Settlements Spatial Master Plan," and the "Framework and Guideline towards Water-Sensitive Spatial Planning and Land Use Management,". Additionally, she has co-authored the "Guidelines for Land Use Management Systems applicable to all municipalities in South Africa" in support of Act 16 of 2013. Dr. Rohr's expertise extends across multiple fields of government, and she possesses a comprehensive understanding of both national and international planning theory and practice. She confidently engages with diverse stakeholders and clients, making her a respected figure at National and Provincial Planning Forums as well as National and International Planning Conferences.
Tope Runsewe Managing Director of Dutum Company Limited
Tope Runsewe Managing Director of Dutum Company Limited As Managing Director at Dutum Company Limited, the focus has been on spearheading private sector operations to scale construction ventures and drive strategic business expansion. Our team has successfully navigated complex contract negotiations and project management, leveraging analytical skills to ensure profitable outcomes. Co-founding Stonebricks Development Limited, we've positioned the firm at the forefront of affordable luxury real estate, with a clear vision for transformative community development. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the cultivation of strategic partnerships and innovative business planning that resonate with our mission to redefine industry standards.
Kfir Rusin CO-CEO of admyt
Kfir Rusin CO-CEO of admyt As the Co-CEO of admyt, I lead a ticketless parking management company that delivers innovation, efficiency, and an unparalleled user experience to the real estate industry. With over eight years of experience in the property sector, I have a proven track record of creating value and driving growth for various stakeholders and markets across Africa. In addition to my current role, I am also a strategic advisor at Leasesurance, where I help drive strategic initiatives for the company. I am also the founder and chairman of the Africa PropTech Forum, the leading platform and ecosystem builder for property technology in Africa. I am passionate about the intersection of technology and real estate and believe in the potential for innovation to transform the sector.
Kecia Rust Executive Director of Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa
Kecia Rust Executive Director of Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa My role is to plan and coordinate 3D printing projects, including setting project timelines, managing resources, logistics and working with other departments to ensure that the project goals are achieved. I also oversee printing process on site to ensure that it is running efficiently, effectively, and safely. This includes managing the 3D printing equipment and the team responsible for operating it. At the same time, I actively participate in technical-commercial tasks by preparing documentation and meeting potential clients and partners.
Ommid Saberi Senior Industry Specialist Green Building at IFC
Ommid Saberi Senior Industry Specialist Green Building at IFC Ommid Saberi is the global lead for the Building Resilience Index Program. Ommid works across projects within the World Bank Group, including IFC investment and advisory projects, and has done extensive work with the property sector, as well as funds and commercial bank clients to divert investments toward climate-smart and resilient projects. Before joining IFC, Ommid advised on sustainability strategies for property development projects in the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Asia, including the development of green building codes for various countries. Ommid has also been a member of regional government advisory panels as an expert in low-energy design and technical director for energy conservation at the city scale.
Robert Salzwedel CEO of Kenai
Robert Salzwedel CEO of Kenai Robert Salzwedel is the CEO and Co-Founder of Kenai, a dynamic SaaS Platform committed to redefining how physical spaces are utilized to enhance business operations. As a mechanical engineer with a deep understanding of machine learning, Robert's vision is to harness technology to facilitate seamless interactions within various environments, improving both efficiency and user experience. Starting with sophisticated visitor management and access provisioning systems, Kenai aims to eliminate operational friction by augmenting existing systems, not replacing them. This approach ensures that technology integration delivers valuable insights and enhances experiences without disrupting workflows. Looking ahead, Robert is steering Kenai towards leveraging these interactions to transform physical locations into strategic assets that actively contribute to organizational success.
Pepler Sandri Head: Capital Markets - sub-Saharan Africa at JLL
Pepler Sandri Head: Capital Markets - sub-Saharan Africa at JLL Pepler joined JLL’s Capital Markets team in London in 2016 and moved to the SSA Capital Markets team in Johannesburg later that year. Since then, he has led a wide variety of landmark Capital Markets mandates in South Africa, Kenya, Lagos and Kigali. Pepler is a qualified Attorney and holds a joint-MBA degree from the Graduate School of Business in Cape Town and the SDA Bocconi in Milan (Cum Laude), and a Masters of Advanced Management, focused on real estate finance (Cum Laude) from the Yale School of Management, Connecticut, USA.
Paul Schaefer CEO of LeaseSurance
Paul Schaefer CEO of LeaseSurance Paul is an entrepreneur with various successful and unsuccessful ventures! He was the CEO of Ithemba Property Management for 4 years where he learned his trade in the property industry. Paul is the current Founder & CEO of LeaseSurance. LeaseSurance is an PropTech business that aims to disrupt the residential rental property sector through eliminating security deposits and offering improved tenant affordability and an increase in landlord’s bottom line through additional protection of rent loss and damages, on every lease!
Cheryl Sheppard Partner at TGP International
Cheryl Sheppard Partner at TGP International Partner and CMO of an award-winning global hospitality agency working with passionate brands, clients and entrepreneurs to make their long-term vision a reality through concept development, creative interior design, franchising, advisory services and project management. I’ve spent over 20 years in the marketing industry working in the UK and the UAE within media, events, FMCG and digital roles. I joined TGP in 2014 and have been specializing in F&B marketing working with some of the biggest names in the hospitality space and carrying out advisory contracts all over Europe and the Middle East.
Cameron Staude Director-Commercial Law of NSDV
Cameron Staude Director-Commercial Law of NSDV Cameron is a specialist in construction law including aspects of construction and engineering law, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. His knowledge and passion for construction contracts, especially on NEC, FIDIC, JBCC, and GCC, sees him training construction professionals, from beginners to experienced users. He advises clients on all issues relating to the use of standard form construction contracts and he also has experience in the drafting of bespoke contracts as and when they are needed, and regularly counsels on how to manage and administer the contracts. Cameron holds a Bachelor of Law degree as well as a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Rhodes University and in 2008 he was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa. In addition to this, in 2015 Cameron successfully completed the Construction Adjudication Law programme run at the University of Pretoria. He has also successfully completed the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC Fellowship Admission Course and is a Fellow member of the Association and eligible for nomination or appointment as arbitrator and/or adjudicator. He has worked on significant projects in which he has assisted with the legal commercial management of the project on a day-to-day basis as well as providing legal advice and dispute avoidance resolution via adjudication and arbitration.
Peter Stokes Partner at dhk Architects
Peter Stokes Partner at dhk Architects Peter has over three decades of experience in the architectural and urban design realm and an extensive track record working with both public and private sector clients in the design and delivery of small- to large-scale projects, accepting full responsibility for maintaining the highest professional and technical standards across all sectors. Peter joined dhk in 2008, where he is a Partner. Peter is familiar with all aspects of sustainable development, from the design of individual buildings to master planning and green infrastructure. In this area his work over the course of his career has included the design of numerous low-energy award winning buildings and involved the use of the latest low-energy and renewable technologies, such as GSHP, CHP, solar water and photovoltaics. This considerable experience in pioneering energy-conscious design work has proved most valuable in the delivery of sustainable developments and working towards innovative zero carbon solutions. Peter has particular experience in the adaptive reuse of historic structures, commercial office space, retail, mixed-use and mixed-tenure residential neighbourhoods and resorts and hospitality. Peter leads the sustainability, IT, AI and BIM initiatives at dhk, ensuring that the company stays at the cutting edge of technology in South Africa.
Sybrand Strauss Founder & Director of Fernridge
Sybrand Strauss Founder & Director of Fernridge Sybrand Strauss co-founded Fernridge in December 2002. Twenty-two years on, Sybrand serves as Director, Head of Operations and Head of Shopping Centre and Consumer Insights in the firm, which delivers actionable insights to help clients make informed business decisions by providing location-based proprietary data and solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has extensive experience in consulting to prominent shopping centre owners, commercial developers and other corporate institutions across sub-Saharan Africa. He oversees numerous advisory reports every month, from existing centres, new developments and revamps conducted in all nine South African provinces and throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Glyn Taylor CEO of Oasis Life
Glyn Taylor CEO of Oasis Life Experienced leader with a exemplary history of working in the Hospitality sector. Skilled in all spheres of Hotel Management. Strong development, technical and pre-opening skills with an intimate understanding of delivering shareholder return whilst nurturing human capital from within.
Daniel Trappler Senior Development Director of Radisson Hotel Group Hotel Brokerage, Finance Raising, Feasibility Studies, Investment Appraisal, Project Concept Development, Hotel Valuation, Asset Management, Investment Packaging, Market Analysis, Business Plans, Operator Selection
Wayne Troughton CEO of HTI Consulting Involved in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries for the past 30+ years. Held operational management positions in hotels in the United Kingdom and South Africa and led a specialist hospitality advisory and brokerage firm consulting to blue chip clients in the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure sectors in 51 countries in Africa and the Middle East over the past 25 years. Specialties: Hotel and mixed-use market and financial feasibility studies, operator selection, valuation analysis, business and financial advice, management contract negotiations, brokerage and finance raising.
Neels Van Niekerk Executive Director of EQUATE
Neels Van Niekerk Executive Director of EQUATE Neels van Niekerk is an Executive Director at EQUATE and a registered Professional Quantity Surveyor. Neels has twenty years’ experience working alongside industry leaders in the built environment, with a specialisation in the commercial aspects of Data Centre construction. His experience in Data Centre projects spans across five continents, majority of them having been constructed in Africa. Neels is dedicated to providing clients with sensible commercial advice, adding meaningful value to their investments. He works closely with EQUATE's expert team of Quantity Surveyors to manage costs throughout the entire project lifecycle, from inception to completion. He is currently involved in several Data Centre projects across Africa and is committed to driving EQUATE’s growth to become a leader in the Data Centre construction industry!
Hugo Venter Executive Director of 12 Cape
Hugo Venter Executive Director of 12 Cape B.Accounting (RAU), B.Accounting (Hons) (UNISA), CA(SA) PWC & UBS. European Hedge Fund coverage. Fixed Income, FX, Equities, Prime Brokerage, Exchange Traded Derivatives.
Francois Viruly Associate Professor at University of Cape Town
Francois Viruly Associate Professor at University of Cape Town Francois Viruly is a property economist with over twenty years of experience in advising public as well as private entities. His research interests are in the fields of Urban Land Economics, Property Finance and Portfolio Management. He held the position of Chief Economist at the Chamber of Mines, Acting Head of Department in the Department of Construction Economics and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand and in 2011 was appointed as Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town. He is a regular industry speaker, and delivers courses for the South African Property Owner’s Association (SAPOA). He is a past president of the African Real Estate Society and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor’s (RICS). He has recently been appointed onto the RICS Sub-Saharan Africa Market Advisory Panel.
James Wallunya Project Delivery at Centum Real Estate
James Wallunya Project Delivery at Centum Real Estate James is a multifaceted programme development specialist with extensive experience in real estate, housing development, investments, research, as well as in project and operations management, having held cross-functional roles across the Private Sector, United Nations System, and Non-profit Sector. He has been instrumental in championing various causes in different fields such as affordable housing and sustainable development. James has a knack for leveraging on his analytical skills, leadership qualities, policy insights as well as collaborative approach to create and enhance impact. He is known for driving initiatives, delivering results as well as fostering collaboration across cross functional teams. James has keen interests in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations, AI (artificial intelligence) as well as community service and leadership, a quality which drives him to contribute towards various causes in Kenya. He is an alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI - RLC EA), where he studied Public Management and holds master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Governance, Peace, and Security as well as a bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from Africa Nazarene University. He is fluent in both English and Swahili.
Weiyi Wang Mozambique Program Lead-Building Resilience Index at IFC
Weiyi Wang Mozambique Program Lead-Building Resilience Index at IFC Weiyi Wang is an Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, which focuses on private sector development in emerging markets. Weiyi leads the Building Resilience Index Program in Mozambique, an innovative initiative that helps real estate investors assess location-specific risks and promotes investments to improve the resilience of buildings and cities. Based in Maputo, Weiyi also oversees the Southern Africa portion of the Africa Fragility Initiative, which aims to promote private sector investment in challenging markets in Africa affected by fragility and conflict.
Allan Wantenaar VP: Advisory Services at HTI Consulting Allan Wantenaar formed a strong foundation for his career as a specialist Hotel Advisory Consultant, having worked for international corporates who specialise in this sector, including Grant Thornton (now BDO) and JLL, before joining HTI Consulting in early 2019. Allan has worked in the consulting space for over ten years with over 70 completed projects in markets throughout South Africa as well as countries elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe (amongst others). His advisory assignments include Feasibility Studies, Due Diligences, Operator Selections, Valuations and Management Contract Negotiations.
Reinhard Winsauer Team Lead-Broader Africa at Rand Merchant Bank
Reinhard Winsauer Team Lead-Broader Africa at Rand Merchant Bank Being outcomes oriented, I have developed a reputation as a high performer who achieves personal goals as well as unlocks team goals. I really enjoy exercising the ability to prove myself and have discovered that this extends to empowering others with the same skillset. Success truly drives me and I'm proud to have grown the broader Africa business significantly after joining a team that was in its infancy. I was nominated as Dealmaker of the year a few times and won it in 2021. This success can be attributed to my passion for transforming the commercial real estate landscape across Africa whilst building and leading a highflier team around me.
Karen Witte Workplace Strategist Specialist at Internal Developers
Karen Witte Workplace Strategist Specialist at Internal Developers Karen is a Workplace Strategist Specialist and Independent Consultant, for Internal Developers, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Broll Property Group. She has been working in commercial interior design and construction management for 26 years and has been specialising in Workplace Strategy for the past 7 years. She is extremely passionate about workplace performance and employee wellbeing. With her vast experience in business needs analysis & creative problem solving, Karen thrives on solving every client’s unique workplace challenge, be it space consolidation, workplace effectiveness, employee wellness or a combination of all. Using various sets of data, Karen generates a unique occupancy strategy based on client requirements whilst benchmarking against industry standards. This takes the guess work out of what is necessary to achieve an organisations workplace objective. During her 4-year tenure with Standard Chartered Bank as Workplace Effectiveness Lead for Africa, Karen supported 15 Countries, summing a total of 4000 staff. This required a consistent reviewing of occupancy and employee engagements to highlight opportunities to optimise and enhance their workplace. Additionally, full Workplace Reports were compiled for various large projects including a new Head Office in Ghana and Zambia and space optimisations to the Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, and Mauritius offices. The real estate portfolio reduced from 56 000 to 46 000 square meters with planned activity to further reduce to 36 000 Square Meters over the remaining 4 years. Karen was also involved with the Hollard Head Office Project, she was the Workplace Strategy Lead we the staff migrated from dedicated spaces to shared spaces, reducing the real estate portfolio by 44%. She supported the CW team with time studies for the Bayer SA workplace strategy and is currently the workplace strategy lead for SABC, focusing on optimising and revitalising their existing office space.
Marthle du Plessis Partner at PWC
Marthle du Plessis Partner at PWC Marthle du Plessis is a Partner in PwC Consulting and Risk Services and leads the Workforce of the Future Platform across Africa. Together with her global counterparts, Marthle works cross industry supporting Executive teams with large scale transformational programmes. Her area of expertise span strategy led operating model design coupled by purpose driven workforce optimisation initiatives. She is furthermore a facilitator in PwC’s global flagship leadership development programme: “Leaders solving for tomorrow” working with leadership on identifying the impact of the megatrends on businesses as well as crafting strategies to best prepare for it.
JK du Toit CEO of The Good People Group
JK du Toit CEO of The Good People Group JK du Toit is a qualified accountant with a diverse background in finance, credit bureau operations, and technology development. He is the founder and CEO of The Good People Data Company, which develops Software and Data Service platforms for corporations in South Africa, focusing on the property and financial services industries. The company's Tenant Management System (TMS) is one of Africa’s most comprehensive lead-to-lease platforms for the residential market, enabling onboarding automation, screening, recovery management, digital leasing, e-signatures, promotions, and third-party service integration. TMS currently serves some of South Africa’s largest residential property management companies.
Jacques van Embden CEO of Blok
Jacques van Embden CEO of Blok Jacques van Embden - Founder & CEO of Blok. Prior to receiving a Masters in Architecture from the University of Cape town in 2008, Jacques already knew that property was his true calling. The tools of his degree equipped him with a spatial knowledge and understanding that drives his everyday thinking. Having worked on many projects in an architectural capacity, through employers or his own freelance projects, Jacques spotted an opportunity in the property market and in 2010 founded Prime Point Properties. The success of this company has since led to the formation of Prime Letting Services, both of which operate in the South African residential market. In 2014, Jacques founded Blok – a residential property development business with 18 developments under its belt. Jacques is currently the CEO of Blok. Jacques is excited by opportunity, fast-paced enterprise, innovation, public spaces and people.
