Sappi Limited leadership

Members of the Executive Committee, Group Management Committee and the Sappi Limited Board of Directors:*

The Executive Committee, Group Management Committee and Sappi Limited Board of Directors collectively determines major policies and strategies and is responsible for managing risk.

Executive and corporate management

Steve Binnie

Stephen Robert Binnie (Steve)**
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Limited

Age: 56
Qualifications: BCom, BAcc, CA(SA), MBA
Nationality: British
Appointed: September 2012


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Binnie was appointed CEO of Sappi Limited in July 2014 and brings extensive experience in financial management, leadership, corporate activity and strategy to the role.

Glen Pearce

Glen Thomas Pearce**
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Sappi Limited

Age: 60
Qualifications: BCom, BCom Hons, CA(SA)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: June 1997


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Pearce joined Sappi Limited in June 1997 and was promoted to CFO and Executive Director of Sappi Limited in July 2014. Mr Pearce has extensive financial management experience, both locally and abroad.

Marco Eikelenboom

Marco Eikelenboom (Marco)**
Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Europe

Age: 56
Qualifications: MS (Business Economics)
Nationality: Dutch
Appointed: September 1992


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Eikelenboom was appointed CEO of Sappi Europe on 01 April 2021. Mr Eikelenboom was previously Vice President Marketing and Sales for Graphic Papers and was integral in the successful restructure and refocus of Sappi’s European operations.

Mike Haws

Michael George Haws (Mike)**
Chief Executive Officer of Sappi North America

Age: 60
Qualifications: BSc (Paper Science and Engineering)
Nationality: American
Appointed: January 2012


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Haws brings his extensive industry leadership and strategy experience to the business. Mr Haws was integral to the development and execution of Sappi’s 2020Vision and the investments made in North America to grow the dissolving pulp and packaging and speciality papers businesses.

Alex Thiel

Alexander van Coller Thiel (Alex)**
Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Southern Africa

Age: 62
Qualifications: BSc (Mechanical Engineering), MBA (Financial Management and Information Technology)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: December 1989


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Thiel has a long history with Sappi. His experience and expertise include marketing, logistics, procurement, strategy and operations across Europe and Southern Africa.

Richard Wells

Richard Wells***
Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Trading

Age: 54
Qualifications: BCom (Accounting), BCompt Hons, CA(SA), GEDP, EDP
Nationality: South African
Appointed: October 1997


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Wells joined Sappi in October 1997 and has held several senior financial roles in the organisation including Sappi Kraft, Sappi Southern Africa, Sappi Europe, Usutu Pulp Mill, the Jiangxi Chenming Joint Venture and at Saiccor Mill, where he was also a director of the Lignotech Joint Venture. After many years in financial roles, he joined Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging in 2012 as Vice President Sales and Marketing and has played a significant role to restore profitability in this business. He is well qualified to lead Sappi’s efforts in the international markets.

Mohamed Mansoor

Mohamed Iqbal Mansoor**
Executive Vice President of Sappi Pulp

Age: 56
Qualifications: BSc (Chemistry and Mathematics), BSc Hons (Chemistry), MBA
Nationality: South African
Appointed: August 1991


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Mansoor’s expertise includes contract negotiation and management, supply chain management, strategic planning, sales management, key account management, dissolving pulp, international logistics and technical application support.

Fergus Marupen

Fergus Conan Salvador Marupen (Fergus)**
Group Head Human Resources

Age: 58
Qualifications: BA Hons (Psychology), BEd (Education Management), Masters Diploma (HR Management), MBA, LCOR
Nationality: South African
Appointed: March 2015


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Marupen’s experience across a variety of industries in South Africa enables him to offer insight into human resources, governance and management, among many other fields.

Maarten van Hoven

Maarten van Hoven**
Group Head Strategy and Legal

Age: 50
Qualifications: BProc, LLM (International Business Law)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: December 2011


Skills, expertise and experience
As an admitted attorney of the High Court in South Africa, Mr van Hoven brings expertise in corporate, commercial and competition law, in the private and public sectors, as well as experience in mergers and acquisitions.

Louis Kruyshaar

Louis Kruyshaar**
Group Head Manufacturing and Innovation

Age: 53
Qualifications: BEng (Chemical Engineering), BTech (Pulp and Paper), MBA, EDP
Nationality: South African
Appointed: January 1993


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Kruyshaar joined Enstra Mill in 1993 as a Sappi bursar, becoming a production superintendent. From 2001 until 2003 he was Technical Manager at Sappi Usutu Mill in Swaziland before moving to Ngodwana Mill as the Paper Mill Manager in 2004. In 2006, he became the Pulp Mill Manager at Ngodwana Mill before moving to Tugela Mill as the General Manager in 2008.

Ami Mahendranath

Ami Mahendranath***
Group Company Secretary 

Age: 55
Qualifications: BCom ACIS, Certificate in Corporate Governance
Nationality: South African
Appointed: November 2017


Skills, expertise and experience
Ms Mahendranath joined Sappi in November 2017 as Group Company Secretary. She provides secretarial services to the Sappi board and all board committees, as well as the Group Executive Committee.

Tracy Wessels

Tracy Wessels***
Group Head Investor Relations and Sustainability

Age: 48
Qualifications: PhD (Organic Chemistry), PMD
Nationality: South African
Appointed: January 2021


Skills, expertise and experience
Ms Wessels has worked for Sappi since 2001 holding progressively more senior positions. After starting in research and development at Saiccor Mill, she transitioned into a customer technical services role, which covered both the applications R&D and customer technical services. She brings a strong technical background to her new role, coupled with significant customer relationship management experience, and regular engagement on sustainability-related matters.

André Oberholzer

André Oberholzer***
Group Head Corporate Affairs

Age: 56
Qualifications: BCom (Law), Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP®)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: September 2001


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Oberholzer joined Sappi Limited in 2001 as the Group Head for Corporate Affairs. In this role he has global responsibility for Sappi’s internal, external, corporate and business communication and reputation management programmes. In addition, he has line responsibility for Sappi’s Southern African communication function. Prior to joining Sappi he worked for 14 years as a diplomat for South Africa, focused on multilateral affairs.

Marjorie Boles

Marjorie Boles
Group Chief Information Officer

Age: 53
Qualifications: BA (Economics and Mathematics), MBA (Entrepreneurship)
Nationality: American
Appointed: June 2018


Skills, expertise and experience
Mrs Boles has been with Sappi since 1999. In 2012, she assumed global responsibility for Sappi’s customer-facing digital solutions. She was appointed CIO for Sappi North America in 2016 as well as being a member of the global IT Leadership Council. Prior to joining Sappi, Marjorie was a process optimisation consultant with Andersen Consulting and drove technology improvements for equity and control operations at Fidelity.

Jörg Pässler

Jörg Pässler
Group Treasurer

Age: 62
Qualifications: BCom (Hons) Cum Laude, MCom, HDip (Tax), CAIB (SA), FT Non-Executive Director Diploma
Nationality: German
Appointed: August 1999


Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Pässler joined Sappi in 1999 as South African Tax and Treasury Manager and moved to the Group Treasury operation in Brussels in 2001. He has been Group Treasurer since 2007, responsible for managing the group’s debt portfolio, financial risk management and treasury operations. Prior to joining Sappi, Jörg was the Group Treasurer at a South African construction and property development firm and also spent 17 years in banking. 

Board of directors

Sappi Limited Board of Directors

Nkululeko Sowazi

Nkululeko Leonard Sowazi
Independent Chairman

Age: 60
Qualifications: MSc (Urban Planning)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: October 2022


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Nomination and Governance Committee (Chairman)
  • Human Resources and Compensation Committee
  • Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Sowazi has over 30 years senior executive and investment management experience and has served on numerous boards of both listed and unlisted companies. Mr Sowazi has a strong commercial and entrepreneurial business track record and presents with an impeccable reputation in the market.

Brian Beamish

Brian Richard Beamish (Brian)
Independent

Age: 66
Qualifications: BSc (Mechanical Engineering), HBS PMD
Nationality: British and South African
Appointed: March 2019


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Human Resources and Compensation Committee
  • Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Beamish, a qualified mechanical engineer, brings more than 40 years’ experience in management, business and leadership in capital intensive industries to the board.

Mike Fallon

Michael Anthony Fallon (Mike)
Independent

Age: 65
Qualifications: BSc Hons (First Class)
Nationality: British
Appointed: September 2011


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Human Resources and Compensation Committee (Chairman)
  • Nomination and Governance Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Fallon brings management and leadership experience that extends across a wide range of functions from research and development, human resources, finance, plant management, sales and marketing and supply chain to general management, including mergers and acquisitions.

James Lopez

James Michael Lopez (Jim)
Independent

Age: 64
Qualifications: BA (Economics)
Nationality: American
Appointed: March 2019


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Lopez brings his experience as the former President and CEO of Tembec Inc (2006 to 2017) a manufacturer of lumber, pulp, paper/paperboard and speciality cellulose and a global leader in sustainable forest management practices.

Zola Malinga

Zola Nwabisa Malinga
Independent

Age: 45
Qualifications: BCom, CA(SA)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: October 2018


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Audit and Risk Committee (Chairperson)

Skills, expertise and experience
Ms Malinga has extensive experience in investment banking, real estate, corporate finance and governance, having held senior roles at various financial institutions. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Jade Capital Partners, a women-owned investment company.

Bonakele Mehlomaku

Dr Bonakele Mehlomakulu (Boni)
Independent

Age: 50
Qualifications: PhD (Chemical Engineering)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: March 2017


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Audit and Risk Committee
  • Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Dr Mehlomakulu has experience and expertise in innovation policy, environmental, social and governance (ESG) oversight; corporate management and leadership.

Valli Moosa

Mohammed Valli Moosa (Valli)
Independent

Age: 66
Qualifications: BSc (Mathematics and Physics)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: August 2010


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee (Chairman)
  • Nomination and Governance Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Moosa has held numerous leadership positions across business, government, politics and civil society in South Africa and internationally. Mr Moosa has expertise in finance, general business and mining and is an international expert on sustainable development and climate change.

Rob Jan Renders

Robertus Johannes Antonius Maria Renders (Rob Jan)
Independent

Age: 70
Qualifications: MSc (Mechanical Engineering), MDP
Nationality: Dutch
Appointed: October 2015


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Audit and Risk Committee
  • Human Resources and Compensation Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Renders currently serves as a business consultant and independent director and brings to the board his extensive experience in governance and leadership as well as operational expertise in manufacturing and packaging internationally.

Louis Von Zeuner

Louis Leon Von Zeuner
Independent

Age: 62
Qualifications: BEcon (Economics)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: September 2022


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Audit and Risk Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr von Zeuner holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Stellenbosch and is a Charted Director (SA). His role as board member, aside from the normal focus on strategy profitability and sustainability, is a key focus on governance status. Despite his role change from executive to non-executive Mr von Zeuner has been able to continue to play a leadership role in the activities of various organisations and contribute to growing the businesses. He is results driven and supports growing customer relationships.

Eleni Istavridis

Eleni Istavridis
Independent

Age: 66
Qualifications: BA, MBA, MIA
Nationality: American
Appointed: October 2022


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Audit and Risk Committee

Skills, expertise and experience
Ms Istavridis is a seasoned leader with international experience, including 17 years in the United States and 22 years in Asia in financial services and manufacturing. She has deep expertise in strategy, finance and global operations. Most recently, she was Executive Vice President at Bank of New York Mellon as Head of Global Client Management for Asia and later Head of Investment Services, Asia Pacific. Earlier she served in a variety of senior leadership roles, including President and COO of Tristate, an Asia-based manufacturer, and Managing Director at Bankers Trust Company. She is currently an independent board member of two public companies and has committee assignments focused on audit, financial policy, employees and public responsibility areas.

Steve Binnie

Stephen Robert Binnie (Steve)**
Chief Executive Officer

Age: 56
Qualifications: BCom, BAcc, CA(SA), MBA
Nationality: British
Appointed: September 2012


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee
  • Attends meetings of all other board committees by invitation 

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Binnie was appointed CEO of Sappi Limited in July 2014 and brings extensive experience in financial management, leadership, corporate activity and strategy to the role.

Glen Pearce

Glen Thomas Pearce**
Chief Financial Officer

Age: 60
Qualifications: BCom, BCom Hons, CA(SA)
Nationality: South African
Appointed: June 1997


Sappi board committee memberships

  • Expected to attend Audit and Risk Committee meetings by invitation

Skills, expertise and experience
Mr Pearce joined Sappi Limited in June 1997 and was promoted to CFO and Executive Director of Sappi Limited in July 2014. Mr Pearce has extensive financial management experience, both locally and abroad.

Footnote

* All ages as at 30 September 2023.
** Member of the Executive Committee.
*** Member of the Group Management Committee.