ArcelorMittal South Africa appoints new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director

 
The Board of ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) announced earlier this week that Mr Hendrik Jacobus (Kobus) Verster has been appointed as new CEO and Executive Director of ArcelorMittal South Africa. Mr Verster will join ArcelorMittal South Africa on 2 January 2018 as CEO designate to ensure a smooth handover and will officially assume the position of CEO and Executive Director with effect from 1 February 2018.

This appointment follows AMSA’s announcement on 24 October 2017 that Mr Wim de Klerk was stepping down as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Executive Director from the Board of Directors of ArcelorMittal South Africa with effect from 31 January 2018.

 
Mr Verster served on the Board of Aveng Limited as CEO from 11 February 2014 until 26 September 2017. He holds a BCom degree from the University of Potchefstroom, a BCom Honours (Economics) degree from the University of Pretoria, a MBL from the University of South Africa (Unisa) and attended the Executive Management Programme at the University of Virginia in the USA.

Mr Verster served on the Board of ArcelorMittal South Africa as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Executive Director from 17 February 2006 until 23 August 2010 and played a broader strategic role within the Company during that period. Prior to his appointment as CFO, he held various senior roles in Financial Management including as General Manager, Corporate Finance & Treasury from 1990.

Mr Mpho Makwana, Chairman of ArcelorMittal South Africa said: “In our search for a CEO, we placed a high premium on a candidate with knowledge of, and experience in the steel industry. In Kobus we believe we have found such a candidate, who will also provide much needed continuity with our strategic turnaround programme.”

Mr Lakshmi N Mittal, ArcelorMittal Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We look forward to having Kobus on board. As someone we have worked with previously, we believe he will sustain the momentum of leading our important strategic investment in Africa, restoring the Company back to profitability and sustainable performance.”

The Board is confident that he is well qualified and has the requisite experience and understanding of the steel industry to fulfill the role of CEO effectively. The Board congratulates Mr Verster on his appointment and looks forward to his contribution.