Illovo Sugar Africa - Our People
PEOPLE ARE OUR BUSINESS
Our people are key to achieving the group’s capacity to create and sustain value.
Attracting, developing, and retaining our people is central to our business strategy and we administer an array of training, managerial, organisational, leadership, executive and self-development programmes across the organisation.
ILLOVO SUGAR AFRICA offers various career opportunities across multiple functional disciplines within the 6 African countries in which it operates.
“I have always wanted to be PART OF A GREATER PURPOSE rather than just working a day job. I really hold onto the ‘BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE’ concept, and believe that we in our ILLOVO operations do have a significant PURPOSE in the regions and communities in which we operate that goes beyond just doing business - it is humbling to be part of that.”
- Gavin Dalgleish
Illovo Sugar Africa forms part of ABF Sugar which is a division of Associated British Foods plc. Click here to view the ABF Sugar Executive team.
OUR ILLOVO SUGAR AFRICA EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Group Directors
Gavin first joined Illovo in 1988 as a post-graduate student, thereafter holding a number of technical, business development, operational, and general management roles. From 2008 he led the Australia-based global technology unit of the AB Mauri yeast business, re-joining Illovo in December 2010. Gavin was appointed to the Illovo Board as Operations Director in April 2012 and subsequently, as Group Managing Director in September 2013. He has played an integral role in the group’s evolution towards becoming a leading, pan-African, consumer-facing agri-business.
Gavin Dalgleish
Chief Executive Officer
Gavin first joined Illovo in 1988 as a post-graduate student, thereafter holding a number of technical, business development, operational, and general management roles. From 2008 he led the Australia-based global technology unit of the AB Mauri yeast business, re-joining Illovo in December 2010. Gavin was appointed to the Illovo Board as Operations Director in April 2012 and subsequently, as Group Managing Director in September 2013. He has played an integral role in the group’s evolution towards becoming a leading, pan-African, consumer-facing agri-business.
Craig joined Illovo in 2022 as Group Operations Director after having worked for 25 years within the sugar industry in a variety of technical, operational, project and business roles. He is passionate about operational excellence, and over his career has developed and commercialised a variety of technologies that improve sugar recovery, energy efficiency and facilitate downstream product diversification.
Dr. Craig Jensen
Group Operations Director
Craig joined Illovo in 2022 as Group Operations Director after having worked for 25 years within the sugar industry in a variety of technical, operational, project and business roles. He is passionate about operational excellence, and over his career has developed and commercialised a variety of technologies that improve sugar recovery, energy efficiency and facilitate downstream product diversification.
Andre joined Illovo in 2017 from SABMiller Africa where he spent almost a decade immersed in the African FMCG sector. His focus at Illovo is to drive the development of a winning sales, marketing and distribution organisation, aligning strongly with the group’s #AfricanSugar4AfricanMarkets advocacy position.
Andre Lubbe
Group Commercial Director
Andre joined Illovo in 2017 from SABMiller Africa where he spent almost a decade immersed in the African FMCG sector. His focus at Illovo is to drive the development of a winning sales, marketing and distribution organisation, aligning strongly with the group’s #AfricanSugar4AfricanMarkets advocacy position.
Dr Ernest Peresu joined the Illovo Group in 2011 when he was appointed as the Chief Medical Officer at Ubombo Sugar Limited in Eswatini and in 2018 was appointed as the Group’s Chief Medical Officer. Ernest has a host of academic qualifications including a PhD in Development Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine & Surgery. With his extensive experience in resolving African health and social development issues by partnering with key external stakeholders such as government, rural communities and civil society, Ernest was appointed on 1 December 2023 to lead Illovo Sugar Africa’s first Group Social Development Directorship.
Dr. Ernest Peresu
Group Social Development Director
Dr Ernest Peresu joined the Illovo Group in 2011 when he was appointed as the Chief Medical Officer at Ubombo Sugar Limited in Eswatini and in 2018 was appointed as the Group’s Chief Medical Officer. Ernest has a host of academic qualifications including a PhD in Development Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine & Surgery. With his extensive experience in resolving African health and social development issues by partnering with key external stakeholders such as government, rural communities and civil society, Ernest was appointed on 1 December 2023 to lead Illovo Sugar Africa’s first Group Social Development Directorship.
Business Managing Directors
Having joined Illovo in 2021 as Manufacturing Director with 36 years of senior, executive and technical experience within the sugar industry, Ricky was appointed as Managing Director in the same year. With his solid “sugar” knowledge base, Ricky’s focus is on leading the company through challenging headwinds being faced by the industry and Illovo Sugar South Africa itself, and to deliver on the business’ ambitious growth plans by capturing new and exciting opportunities.
Ricky Govender
Illovo Sugar South Africa
Having joined Illovo in 2021 as Manufacturing Director with 36 years of senior, executive and technical experience within the sugar industry, Ricky was appointed as Managing Director in the same year. With his solid “sugar” knowledge base, Ricky’s focus is on leading the company through challenging headwinds being faced by the industry and Illovo Sugar South Africa itself, and to deliver on the business’ ambitious growth plans by capturing new and exciting opportunities.
Lekani joined Illovo in August 2015 and has served as both Financial Director and Human Resources Director, before being appointed to Managing Director in April 2020. Prior to Illovo, Lekani spent almost two decades with Deloitte.
Lekani Katandula
Illovo Sugar Malawi
Lekani joined Illovo in August 2015 and has served as both Financial Director and Human Resources Director, before being appointed to Managing Director in April 2020. Prior to Illovo, Lekani spent almost two decades with Deloitte.
Oswald was appointed as Managing Director of Zambia Sugar on 1 September 2021, transferring from Ubombo Sugar where he held the post of Managing Director from 2013. Oswald brings a solid knowledge base to this role together with 29 years of middle, senior and executive management experience in the sugar, irrigation and international finance sectors having also worked for the World Bank Group (IFC) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Nairobi.
Oswald Magwenzi
Zambia Sugar
Oswald was appointed as Managing Director of Zambia Sugar on 1 September 2021, transferring from Ubombo Sugar where he held the post of Managing Director from 2013. Oswald brings a solid knowledge base to this role together with 29 years of middle, senior and executive management experience in the sugar, irrigation and international finance sectors having also worked for the World Bank Group (IFC) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Nairobi.
Filipé joined Illovo as MD of Maragra Açúcar in 2017, where he leverages his broad business experience in Mozambique’s commercial, marketing and logistics sectors. Prior to this, he was MD of DNA (Distribuidora Nacional de Açucar).
Filipé joined
Filipra Aé joined Illo
Filipé joined Illovo as MD of Maragra Açúcar in 2017, where he leverages his broad business experience in Mozambique’s commercial, marketing and logistics sectors. Prior to this, he was MD of DNA (Distribuidora Nacional de Açucar).
Muzi was appointed as Managing Director of Ubombo Sugar Limited in August 2022 and has held various senior and executive corporate roles in Eswatini and South Africa. He has many years of working in multiple countries across the continent in the telecommunications, financial services, mining and retail sectors and brings extensive leadership and strategic value to the role.
Muzi Siyaya
Ubombo Sugar Eswatini
Muzi was appointed as Managing Director of Ubombo Sugar Limited in August 2022 and has held various senior and executive corporate roles in Eswatini and South Africa. He has many years of working in multiple countries across the continent in the telecommunications, financial services, mining and retail sectors and brings extensive leadership and strategic value to the role.
Guy has served in multiple markets and senior financial roles in his 20+ year career with Illovo, including in Eswatini, Malawi, South Africa, and now, as MD in Tanzania. He joined the business in 1996, after working for Ernst & Young in the USA.
Guy Williams
Kilombero Sugar Company
Guy has served in multiple markets and senior financial roles in his 20+ year career with Illovo, including in Eswatini, Malawi, South Africa, and now, as MD in Tanzania. He joined the business in 1996, after working for Ernst & Young in the USA.
OUR VALUES
These are part of our DNA. They guide our behaviours, inspire our future and govern all that we do.
UPHOLDING OUR VALUES We consistently live our values, treat all individuals in a fair and consistent manner, as well as act in accordance with ethical guidelines and statutory requirements. We are welcomed by the communities in which we operate, are trusted by investors, and our employees are proud to work for us.
INTEGRITY
EMPOWERMENT
EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE We are committed to the development of our people through the continued acquisition of new knowledge and skills. We use various methodologies to enhance the learning experience and the transfer of skills. We earn each other’s trust, provide constructive feedback and hold ourselves and others accountable for performance development.
EMBRACING DIVERSITY We leverage on our diversity in order to maximize performance by actively supporting transformation initiatives. Because we value innovation, creativity and inclusion, we respect each other’s opinions and perspectives, treat people with dignity and respect, and build culturally diverse teams.
INCLUSIVENESS
COMMITMENT
WORKING COLLABORATIVELY We are committed to the success of the whole and together look for ways to co-operate and support each other, even when the immediate benefit is one-way. We value strong networks and working relationships that are underpinned by teamwork, open communication, trust and respect. We invest time and other resources to build and nurture high performing teams.
DELIVERY FOCUSED We find ways to break through resistance and obstacles, and strive to seek new methods in order to continuously improve. We align our day-to-day work with the Illovo vision and strategic intent, and our objectives, action plans and commitments are delivery focused. We also engage in celebrating our achievements.