Datatec, the JSE-listed networking and IT services group, has announced the appointment of Leslie Boyd (former executive vice chairman of Anglo American plc) as non-executive chairman of the board, and Cedric Savage (executive chairman of Tongaat-Hulett) and Colin Brayshaw (former chairman of Delloite and Touche) as non-executive directors.
The appointment of Leslie Boyd allows Jens Montanana to relinquish the role of joint chairman and chief executive to focus exclusively on his role in leading and directing the group`s operations.
The appointment of the new chairman and directors is with effect from 6 December 2001.
Says Montanana: "I`m exceptionally pleased to welcome to the board people of such calibre and experience. We have listened to the recent concerns of shareholders and other stakeholders, and Datatec could really not have secured better people to join the board.
"I have no doubt that their respective contributions will significantly strengthen Datatec`s commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance. We look forward with great anticipation to working with our new chairman and directors and to benefiting from their wisdom and insight. In addition we are actively searching for further international non-executive directors with relevant industry knowledge."
The appointment of the new non-executive directors has ensured that there is now a majority of non-executive directors and has allowed the sub-committees of the board to be restructured as follows:
Remuneration committee Leslie Boyd (Chairman) John Mc Cartney (US) Christopher Seabrooke
Audit committee
Colin Brayshaw (Chairman)
Cedric Savage
Christopher Seabrooke
Risk committee
This is to be established with the following members:
Cedric Savage (Chairman)
John Mc Cartney (US)
Jens Montanana
Robin Rindel
David Pfaff
Montanana says he is especially pleased that a person such as Boyd, with many years of experience in managing mature corporations with substantial international operations, has accepted the role of chairman.
Boyd says he agreed to take up the role as chairman because of his attraction to the company and continuing interest in information technology.
Says Boyd: "Datatec is a very interesting group with great prospects. I have had several detailed discussions with Jens and other directors. The business is on a sound footing with a very strong foundation, notwithstanding the current situation in the global IT sector, and holds great promise. I believe the new members of the board will be able to make a strong and meaningful impact not only in Datatec itself, but also in telling the Datatec story to the investment community."
Boyd is currently chairman of Imperial Holdings, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and the Millennium Labour Council. Some of his other directorships include Absa Bank, Altech, Altron, AngloPlatinum, Kersaf, Powertech, Tongaat-Hulett and Highveld Steel & Vanadium. He was the executive vice chairman of Anglo American plc.
Cedric Savage is currently executive chairman of Tongaat-Hulett and is a director of AECI, BOE Bank and Delta Motor Corporation. He is also a trustee of Business South Africa and a council member of SA Foundation.
Colin Brayshaw is currently the chairman of Coronation and a director of AECI, AngloPlatinum, AngloGold, Highveld Steel & Vanadium and Johnnic Holdings. He was the former chairman of Deloitte and Touche.
For more information, please visit our Web site at www.datatec.co.za
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Datatec is an international networking and IT services company with operations in many of the world`s leading economies. The Group provides active management support in the strategic direction and operation of its subsidiaries and has three international networking focused lines of business:
- . Westcon is a global channel provider of advanced networking and Internet access products;
- . Logical is focused on the provision of professional services and IT network integration; and
- . Mason is a strategic telecommunications consultancy.
By operating in the different stages of the networking supply chain, through these individually branded businesses, the Group believes it can leverage its industry and technology position, deal more effectively with vendors, focus its management and harness its skills base as a sector specialist.
In addition, the group has a number of other operations in South Africa with similar focused business areas. These are Westcon AME, Affinity Logic and RangeGate.
The Group operates on six continents and generates more than 95% of its revenue and profits outside South Africa.
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