Motus, the largest automotive group in South Africa, has announced the retirement of Osman Arbee, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ockert Janse van Rensburg, currently the Group’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will succeed him as the new CEO.
Motus says in a statement that Osman reached the retirement age of 65 during the year and will be retiring with effect from 31 October 2024.
Having joined Imperial Holdings Limited (“Imperial”) in September 2004, Osman’s career with the Group has spanned 20 years. He was appointed CEO of Motus in March 2017, prior to the Company’s unbundling from Imperial and its listing on the JSE in November 2018.
Prior to joining the Group, Osman was a senior partner at Deloitte, where he spent 23 years in various roles, which included being a member of the Board and Executive Committee.
The Motus Board extends its gratitude to Osman for his dedication and contributions to the Group during the last 20 years, acknowledging his pivotal role in advancing and positioning Motus as an industry-leading automotive company in South Africa, with a global presence in the United Kingdom, Australia, Taiwan, China and Europe.
Osman demonstrated strong leadership and entrepreneurial skills both during and after the COVID pandemic, guiding and leading the Group through unprecedented and challenging times with commendable skill.
The Board also says it is pleased that Ockert Janse van Rensburg will take over the reins with effect from 1 November 2024.
Ockert joined Imperial in January 2015 as CFO of Motus Corporation Proprietary Limited (previously a wholly owned subsidiary of Imperial). For the six months ended 31 December 2018, he held the position of acting CEO at the time of Osman’s illness, while performing his function as CFO.
Prior to joining Motus, Ockert was Chief Financial Officer of Foodcorp Holdings Limited, a multi-national food manufacturer, and before that he was a partner at PwC.
Ockert holds a BCompt (Hons) and H Dip Co Law (Wits) and is a Chartered Accountant (SA). He recently completed the Global CEO Program (“GCP”), which is jointly facilitated by Wharton (USA) and IESE (Spain) business schools.
As one of three Motus executive directors, Ockert has worked closely with Osman on strategy execution and has a deep understanding of the underlying portfolio of businesses and functions. Ockert has been an executive director of the Board since 2017, an invitee to its various sub-committees and is a member of various Motus subsidiary boards, including those based in the United Kingdom and Australia.
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) notes that August continued the positive trend for new-vehicle sales in South Africa, reflecting strong consumer demand and activity across the market.
Although the tariff clouds are gathering over the South African economy with serious implications for the local automotive export industry, local sales of new vehicles are soldiering on at a decent pace.
Automechanika Johannesburg successfully hosted its final CEO Breakfast for 2025 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, bringing together senior automotive industry leaders for strategic discussions as the co-located Festival of Motoring roared into life.
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The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) notes that August continued the positive trend for new-vehicle sales in South Africa, reflecting strong consumer demand and activity across the market.
Although the tariff clouds are gathering over the South African economy with serious implications for the local automotive export industry, local sales of new vehicles are soldiering on at a decent pace.
Automechanika Johannesburg successfully hosted its final CEO Breakfast for 2025 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, bringing together senior automotive industry leaders for strategic discussions as the co-located Festival of Motoring roared into life.
