CA (Z), CA (SA), Executive MBA (UCT), Business, International Relations and the Political Economy (LSE)
Executive director and chief financial officer
Chairman of social, ethics and transformation committee, and member of audit and risk committee
Appointed to the board in December 2020
CJ was a partner at Ernst & Young from 2008 to 2017 during which time she served as an audit partner and the strategic growth markets leader for Africa. In 2017 she joined Adcorp Holdings as the group CFO, leading the company’s balance sheet restructuring process and later served as interim CEO from October 2019 to May 2020. CJ joined Ascendis in December 2020.
DIP Theology
Non-executive director
Harry is the founder of the Ascendis Activist Investor group.
Harry is forward thinking and has a strong affinity for facilitating and building consensus amongst diverse individuals. He has historically acted as a company representative for firms of
attorneys, has experience with loan funding having worked at ABSA in several roles including lending, and has extensive experience in the construction sector.
Bachelor of Commerce
Chartered Accountant
Non-executive director
Gary is the founder of Ascendis Health and has extensive professional experience in investing, primarily in the health and consumer brands sectors, having built three Billion-Rand companies, acquired over 62 companies spanning 3 continents with earnings in excess of R2.5 billion, raised over R15 billion in debt and equity and managed one of the largest private equity companies in South Africa. Gary has sat on numerous boards and committees, both private and listed, has over 12 years experience in the health sector, with strong commercial skills and is a solution finder with a keen sense of the bigger picture.
National Diploma Information Technology
Post-graduate Diploma in Computer Auditing
Non-executive director
Lawrence (Shumani) has extensive experience at a senior and directorship level and is currently serving as a director on the boards of Total Energies Marketing Services (formerly Total South Africa), Tosaco Energy, Kilimanjaro Capital, Kefolile Health Investments, Kefolile Consumer Brands and Blackgold renewable energy. Lawrence is the Co-founder of Kilimanjaro Capital and has invested in excess of R2.5 billion in multiple businesses ranging from health, consumer products and energy.
Bachelor of Accountancy
Non-executive director
Richard is a forward-thinking business leader who applies systems thinking for results. He has held the role of Acting Chairman and Lead Independent Non-Executive Director of a bank, an insurance company, property group and asset manager. He has been a member of he Strategy and Innovation Committee, the Human Resource Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. Richard has financial and operational experience at Directorship level in African and Asian markets and is proficient in a broad range of Industries ranging from pharmaceuticals, medical devices, retail, hotels, agri-processing and manufacturing.
Masters degree in Economics
Doctorate (PhD) in international economics (magna cum laude)
Guest lecturer at MBA school of University of Stellenbosch from 2010 – 2015
Non-executive director
Karsten has extensive top-management and M & A experience with global health care and retail companies. Karsten was the co-founder and group CEO of Ascendis Health (Pty) Ltd seeing the company through its listing onto the JSE and growth in its former years. He is the founder of GEC Consulting, has been a director of Alpha Pharm Western Cape and EC Holdings and worked for the listed global health care company Fresenius for 18 years in various countries and regions like Germany, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, Middle East and South Africa.
