Mohammed Akoojee (pictured) has taken over from award-winning outgoing CFO Osman Arbee, as Group CFO of Imperial, effective 1 March. We spoke to Mohammed about his plans ahead.
- Join us at the CFO Awards 2017.
- Read: Osman Arbee, winner of two awards at CFO Awards 2016
How do you feel about taking on this new role as Group CFO?
"I'm really excited about the role. Imperial is a large, listed company with annual revenues in excess of R120 billion and operations on six continents. We have market leading businesses in both the logistics and motor industries, with a clear strategy on how we can grow these businesses and create value for shareholders. So, there's a lot to be done. It's a big job but I'm up for it and keen to get going."
What will be first on your to-do list once you take over on 1 March?
"I've been with the group for seven years, so I know the company well and won't need to spend a lot of time understanding the business. I was the mergers and acquisitions and investor relations executive for the first five years of my tenure, following which I was the Imperial Logistics African regions CEO."
"I see the CFO role as not only a financial one but also as strategic. In a group like imperial, with operations in both the logistics and motor industries, Imperial Holdings, as the holding company is the custodian of capital. Sourcing, allocating and controlling capital to achieve returns on invested capital superior to peers in similar sectors and businesses is a key priority and objective."
What do you hope to achieve during the course of this year, or what changes do you have in mind?
"The CFO must be a business partner to the CEO and must be involved in designing and overseeing strategy, operations and performance. I want to be a CFO that is proactive and innovative, and act as an independent transformation agent who adds value in the areas mentioned above."
Mohammed is a CA(SA) and CFA, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2003. He completed his articles with Deloitte before moving into banking, where he worked as an equity analyst for 18 months. He then joined Investec as corporate financier, spending five years there. He joined imperial in 2009.
