CFO Prinisha Khoosal: This unprecedented time calls for high quality and a mindset of change.
Bridgestone South Africa has appointed Prinisha Khoosal as its first female CFO. She steps into the role at a time when South Africa is reeling at the hands of Covid-19, which has negatively impacted businesses, requiring many companies, including the tyre manufacturer, to carefully navigate through a recessive and unpredictable economy.
About her appointment, Prinisha says:
“This is an unprecedented time and it calls for high agility and a mindset of change to embrace the challenges and respond appropriately. Cash preservation during these times is key for the sustainability of the business and needs strong financial governance and control to ensure it withstands the changes. I plan to drive and be part of the response plan for Bridgestone while instilling a cost-conscious culture during this difficult time.”
According to a statement by Bridgestone, in her new role, Prinisha’s immediate priority is to understand the key business drivers that underpin the strategy of the tyre manufacturer’s business and ensure that her finance department is fit for purpose to support that strategy for success. “Cash preservation is definitely high on my priority list to ensure we have business continuity and growth for the future,” she says.
Prinisha has over 21 years’ experience in commercial finance and has held various leadership roles in high-profile companies like BP Southern Africa, where she filled the role of commercial integration manager from 2016 until joining Bridgestone South Africa in July 2020.
Prior to her time at BP, she served as the head of EMEA regional finance of Blackberry in 2014. Other companies she has worked for in a finance role include Motorola Sub-Saharan Africa, Procter & Gamble South Africa and Universal Pictures in London.
Prinisha has a bachelor of commerce degree in business finance and economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is currently pursuing a managerial level certificate with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
“We are delighted that an executive of Prinisha calibre and experience is now a part of Bridgestone Southern Africa family. Her track record speaks for itself, and her expertise in financial management solutions, business partnering and customer focus orientation will be invaluable as the company prepares to optimise its operations and take advantage of new opportunities,” says Jacques Fourie, CEO of Bridgestone South Africa. “Pleasing to see her break the tradition of male CFOs at our company and such is the diversity we are committed to harness and cultivate in our company and industry.”
