|
Anglo’s right-hand man
|
|
|
Matthew Hill
Financial Mail
Friday, December 11, 2009
|
|
|
|
After two new appointees left a post that appears to have become a poisoned chalice, Godfrey Gomwe has been named executive director of Anglo American SA.
Previously, Lazarus Zim served as the company’s SA CEO. He left the job in 2006 after only a year. Kuseni Dlamini took up the position as head of Anglo American SA in July 2008, also quitting a year later.
What’s the difference between “executive director”, “CEO” and “head” of Anglo SA? London-based Anglo American spokesman James Wyatt-Tilby says executive director is a new position created for the recently restructured group.
This comes after CEO Cynthia Carroll announced a seismic shake-up of the group’s corporate structure in October, which resulted in some big names losing their jobs. Former Gold Fields CEO Ian Cockerill was one of the casualties, as was Anglo American lifer Philip Baum, who acted as Anglo SA CEO after Zim’s departure.
According to Wyatt-Tilby: “Godfrey will act as Carroll’s right-hand man in SA — on the ground to take responsibility for all day-to-day relationships and country-related matters — a crucial role for Anglo American.”
Should this be read as government-relations man? Hopefully not, for Anglo’s sake. Mining minister Susan Shabangu hit out at mining companies last month for appointing black faces as government liaisons.
At least Gomwe, who has been with Anglo American for 10 years, will understand what he’s getting himself into. His most recent position with the company was head of group business development for Africa. Before that, he was FD and COO of Anglo American SA. Gomwe has also served as chairman of Highveld Steel & Vanadium.
He moved to SA in 2003, from Zimbabwe, where he served as chairman of Anglo American Zimbabwe. Gomwe is a CA, and holds a master’s degree in business leadership from the University of SA.
Wyatt-Tilby says his new role will also include bringing cohesion across Anglo’s SA businesses.
“He will work closely with Anglo’s business unit executives to deliver the group’s strategy in SA, thus helping to recreate the centre of gravity in SA and drive the ‘One Anglo’ strategy.”
Perhaps Gomwe realises the trouble his predecessors had in staying in their posts. In Anglo American’s announcement of his appointment, Gomwe uses the words “I look forward” twice.
Self-reassurance perhaps?
|
|
|
 Print this article |
 Send to a friend
|
|