Oceana Group Limited appoints new Financial Director

BRAND ACTIVITY

Jul 30th, 11:16

Experienced chartered accountant Imraan Soomra joined the Oceana Group Limited this month as Group Financial Director.

Soomra replaces Rod Nicol, who retired last month after 27 years with the company.

Having worked in a diverse set of industries during the course of his career, Soomra brings an innovative approach to Oceana’s business and has plans to positively impact both top and bottom line growth. “This role is an opportunity to be part of an industry leader, which has an enviable balance sheet and as such is uniquely placed to explore additional opportunities to deliver incremental shareholder returns. At the helm is CEO Francois Kuttel, who I will enjoy partnering with as Oceana attempts to continue to deliver superior returns while being very aware of the need to harvest fishing resources in an ethical and sustainable manner,” Soomra said. Oceana was ranked number 15 in the Financial Mail’s 200 Top Performers for 2013.

For the past three years, Soomra, 38, held the position of Financial Director of Netcare Limited’s Hospital Division. Previously he was with Multichoice from 2003 until 2010, where he was Head of Channels at Supersport International as well as Financial Director of MNet and Supersport. As head of finance and operations for the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup Bid Committee from 2001-2003, Soomra was part of the team instrumental in securing the event for South Africa, which he considers a career highlight.

“As a South African one wants to be part of a South African success story, and as a truly empowered company Oceana represents that ,” Soomra said. Oceana was this year rated the second M&G Most Empowered Company in South Africa by the Mail and Guardian in association with Empowerdex.

The Pretoria-born CA, who has also completed Harvard Business School’s Programme for Leadership Development, is a father of three and counts fishing and running among his hobbies. He is looking forward to exploring the Cape’s hiking trails.

Oceana employs more than 3 000 people in both South Africa and Nambia, where it is listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange, and has operations in St Helena Bay, Lambert’s Bay, Hout Bay, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Walvis Bay. Click here for more information on Lucky Star, an Oceana Group Company