BA (Marketing Management), BA (Anthropology), MBA executive programmes (London, INSEAD, IMD)
Joined the group in August 2017
Thomas is responsible for the group’s European operations and is based in London. He has held senior executive positions at Johnson & Johnson Consumer (MD Nordic region), Reckitt Benckister (head of global consumer healthcare) and Novartis Consumer Healthcare (head of global health segment). Most recently he has focused on non-executive board positions for private equity and listed companies mainly in the pharma sector.
Dip IMM, MBA, MAP
Joined the group in 2015
Cliff joined Ascendis Health in 2015 after more than three decades in the FMCG sector. He was managing director of Foodcorp for seven years, growing the turnover to more than R7 billion, and during his nine years as managing director of National Brands turned the business into a highly profitable contributor to AVI.
B Com (Hons), H Dip (Auditing), CA (SA)
Joined the group in 2015
Kieron has over 20 years experience in financial management across a range of industries, including five years at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health care in the UK and Dubai, five years as CFO at TransUnion Group Africa and two years as CEO of Nando’s Company-owned Restaurants Division.
B Sc (Chemistry)
Joined the group in June 2017
Yogish has over 25 years international pharmaceutical experience, including serving as country head of Ranbaxy Romania and holding senior positions for Sun Pharmaceuticals in India, Africa and Ukraine. He founded Sun Wave Pharma in 2008 and has grown the business into one of the leading pharma companies in Romania, ranked number one in the nutraceuticals market.
Graduated in Economics (CEU – University of Madrid); 3 years of Marketing at ESIC (Escuela Superior de Ingenieros Comerciales)
Joined the group in 2015
José Luis founded Farmalider in 1986, bringing more than 30 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry to the company. He previously founded Laboratorio Lanzas, Laboratorio Beneline and Lineafarm. Prior to that he spent five years at Sofemasa, a Spanish consulting company.
Masters in Economics from Janus Pannonius University, Courses at Aalborg University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Joined the group in 2017
Andras has extensive experience in the FMCG industry and worked for Unilever for 22 years, serving as managing director of Unilever South Central Europe. Before joining Ascendis Health he was chief commercial officer of Magyar Telekom. During his career Andras has delivered a number of business turnarounds in Hungary, Czech Republic and in the Adria countries.
B Sc, M Sc (Pharmaceutical Technology), MBA
Joined the group in 2016
Charalambos has more than 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has been instrumental in growing Remedica into its current market-leading position. He is the founder and president of the Cyprus Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association, vice chairman of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and was voted as the business leader of the year in 2016 by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
B Com (Hons Marketing), CM (SA)
Joined the group in 2017
Lee-Ann has over 15 years FMCG experience, including four years in the cosmetics industry. She was previously brand general manager for MAC Cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Aerin and Tom Ford. Lee-Ann spent 10 years at SAB focusing mainly on the premium beer portfolio.
BA Marketing, Dip IMM
Joined the group in 2016
Justin has 20 years experience in both the FMCG and pharmaceutical sectors across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. This included seven years at Gillette and 10 years at GlaxoSmithKline where his most recent roles were as sales director and Africa commercial capability director.
B Compt (Hons), HDip Tax (Law), AGA (SA)
Joined the group in 2013
Jayen has over 20 years’ experience in supply chain, operations and finance, and held various executive financial and operations positions with the diversified logistics groups, Unitrans and DHL. Prior to joining Ascendis Health Jayen was managing director of Incolabs, a diversified FMCG company.
M Sc (Chem Eng), M Sc (Management)
Joined the group in 2017
Jaco has over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, spending most of his career at Sano Pasteur in sales, marketing and general management in the USA, and global roles in franchise management and public affairs in France. He was most recently head of Sano Pasteur’s commercial operations in southern Africa.
B Compt
Joined the group in 2012
After 15 years in the FMCG industry Cornélle moved into the direct selling industry in 2001 as the group CFO and then managing director of Avroy Shlain Cosmetics. She is the vice chair of the Direct Selling Association in South Africa and an advisory committee member of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations.
B Pharm, MPS
Joined the group in 2016
A pharmacist by profession, Iain founded and ran Isotec Nutrition for 18 years before selling the business to Fresenius Kabi. He has extensive international experience in the pharmaceutical, nutrition and FMCG sectors as general manager Calea UK and operations director of Fresenius Kabi in the UK, South Africa and later Australia. He joined Coast2Coast Capital Australia in 2016 and moved to Ascendis Health to set up the Australian subsidiary.
Dip IMM, F Tech Dip
Joined the group in 2015
Julliette has over 25 years experience in the South African FMCG industry. She has worked across many diverse categories and held senior management positions in marketing at AVI for 10 years, which included marketing director of Snackworx, and was marketing director of Foodcorp for seven years before joining Ascendis Health.
M Sc (Operations Management)
Joined the group in 2017
Alastair is a seasoned supply chain professional who has held senior executive positions locally and abroad. During his career in the FMCG industry he has gained experience at Reckitt & Colman (Africa, Middle East, Pakistan and Europe), National Brands (South Africa), Super Group (South Africa) and Cadbury (West Africa).
B Acc, CA (SA)
Joined the group in 2008
Andy worked in the information technology industry for over 20 years and was the financial manager for international companies including Hewlett-Packard and Compaq. He was also the financial director and managing director of subsidiaries in JSE-listed IT groups Siltek and Computer Configurations Holdings. Prior to being appointed to his current role Andy was the financial director of five group subsidiaries.
LLB, Admitted attorney
Joined the group in 2014
Darren has spent the past decade in the legal profession, with the last four at Ascendis Health. He is responsible for the consolidation of the intellectual property portfolio for the group as well as implementing intellectual property and contract policy frameworks.
Dip Mech Eng, MBA
Joined the group in 2015
Dave has over 20 years’ experience in information technology within engineering and project environments. Prior to joining Ascendis, he was IT manager for 13 years at engineering and petrochemical companies. Over his career Dave has overseen numerous IT network infrastructures, achieving over 99.5% availability of systems.
HRM Dip, LL Dip, PA Dip
Joined the group on 2010
Chantal has 12 years experience working in the FMCG, pharmaceutical and mining sectors across South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and the USA. She has implemented national and international human capital strategies and has worked at York international acquired by JCI and Shaft Sinkers.
Dip IMM, F Tech Dip
Joined the group in 2015
Julliette has over 25 years experience in the South African FMCG industry. She has worked across many diverse categories and held senior management positions in marketing at AVI for 10 years, which included marketing director of Snackworx, and was marketing director of Foodcorp for seven years before joining Ascendis Health.
