Our People
The Founders
Paul Botha
Paul Botha
Paul Botha is a founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Metier. He is an Attorney and Notary Public, having been in private practice since 1986. In 1998 he established an advisory division for Brait and was its CEO until 2003.
Previously he was a senior commercial law partner in the Johannesburg practice of Bell, Dewar & Hall, where he specialised in mergers and acquisitions and cross-border work across a number of industries. Paul has an outstanding record in executing more than 250 corporate transactions, of which the majority have involved private equity transactions and the entrepreneurial multi-disciplinary assignments which Metier targets.
Paul is a committed and effective deal-maker and board member with a reputation for getting things done to the highest standards of professionalism. He represents Metier in several portfolio companies.
Thierry Dalais
Thierry Dalais
Thierry Dalais is a founder and the Executive Chairman of Metier.
Thierry completed degrees in accounting and commerce at the University of the Witwatersrand and served articles at Deloitte where he qualified as a chartered accountant in 1984. He was then employed at Merhold, initially in its trade financing division, and later in the investment and corporate advisory services arm where he was responsible for establishing and managing a successful principal investment portfolio.
In 1991, Thierry Dalais co-founded Capital Partners. For thirteen years he led the formulation of private equity investment policy and transaction structuring and following the business' merger with Brait SA, acted as Executive Deputy Chairman from 1998 to 2003.
After moving on to co-found Metier in 2004, Thierry has driven the formation and leadership of its private equity efforts and been instrumental in raising capital commitments and attracting deal flow. He also sits on the boards of a number of Metier's portfolio investments. Under his guidance, Metier is also set to take up new challenges in Africa.
Anthony Hewat
Anthony Hewat
Anthony Hewat is a founder and director of Metier and a principal of its private equity fund activities. He is a chartered accountant who qualified with Deloitte in London and South Africa, and is a mathematics graduate of Oxford University. His work experience includes six years as a strategy consultant and well over two decades in private equity investing.
In 1994, he joined Capital Partners where he was Managing Director from 1996 to 1999, during which time the business negotiated its merger to form Brait. He was responsible for a private equity fund and the support and strategic development of a number of portfolio companies. Anthony also held positions as head of research, as a member of the investment committee of the merchant bank, as principal of all private equity funds (which together made approximately sixty investments during this period) and completed a number of special projects.
Since co-founding Metier, Anthony has successfully completed a number of M&A and private equity transactions and has been instrumental in the organisation and management of the Lereko Metier Capital Growth Fund as principal. In addition to investment-specific responsibilities, he has oversight of the financial reporting and valuation processes of the firm and funds, and the Sustainable Capital investing programme.
The Principals
Grant Howarth
Grant Howarth
Grant Howarth is a director and principal at Metier, in support of the Capital Growth Funds. Grant completed his Bachelor of Business Science in Economics and Masters in Commerce, specialising in financial markets, from Rhodes University.
In 2008, he joined the Monitor Group, an international management consulting firm, during which time he primarily worked in their capital team in support of private equity funds operating across Southern Africa. His responsibilities included managing analysts during a variety of due diligence processes on a number of deals. This allowed Grant to gain exposure to a range of different industries in the region.
As a result of a relationship that was developed with Metier during his time at the Monitor Group, Grant joined the firm in 2009. Since 2009, Grant has been significantly involved in investments in the telecommunications, construction, manufacturing, student accommodation and clothing retail sectors. Further, Grant is playing a coverage role for Metier across Sub-Saharan Africa where he has assessed a number of transactions.
John Hannig
John Hannig
John Hannig is a director of Metier and a principal in the fund management activities of the Sustainable Capital Funds. John holds a bachelors and Masters degree in engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, an MBA from the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business and gained additional exposure in finance at the London Business School as part of an exchange programme.
During his studies, John pursued several entrepreneurial and corporate ventures before moving into full time employment in management consulting, first with Accenture and later with Gemini Consulting. His consulting experience stretched over seven years and included: business transformation and turnarounds; strategy formulation; information management; process re-engineering; research; and financial advisory.
John joined Metier in April 2005. Since then, he has taken on wide-ranging investment roles and enhanced the strategic research methodologies and financial modelling strengths of the Metier team. He was initially involved in the investment programmes for Astrapak (packaging) and established of Elementum (building and security sector), and is responsible for the turnaround and restructuring activities at York Timbers (forestry). John joined the Sustainable Capital team in 2020 and covers a range of industries for the firm.
Trishanta Dheepnarayan
Trishanta Dheepnarayan
Trishanta Dheepnarayan is a director and principal at Metier and has over a decade of experience in private equity. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder and has an educational background in finance, having completed a Bachelor of Business Science degree with honours in finance and majors in economics and management studies at the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Trishanta started her career in 2008 at Absa Capital Private Equity and joined Metier’s analyst programme in late 2009. She has a solid understanding of private equity market dynamics and has had exposure to a wide range of transactions, which have developed her relationship management skills, strong analytical skills and sound judgement.
Trishanta works across both the capital growth and sustainable capital practices and her responsibilities include the execution of new deals and the management of existing portfolio companies. As part of her portfolio management responsibilities, she is a director on the boards of portfolio companies.
Marc Immerman
Marc Immerman
Marc Immerman is a director of Metier. After joining Metier in 2009 he is now the managing principal of Metier Sustainable Capital and represented on the investment committee. Marc qualified with a Masters in Finance from UNSW in Sydney Australia after completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. He began his career in investment banking with Investec in Durban, and later at UBS in Johannesburg as an equity analyst.
Marc acted as CEO in a software business locally and in London, gaining experience in start-ups, rationalisation and international expansion. After deciding to focus on the renewable energy and resource efficiency, Marc co-founded the development of the Bokpoort CSP project. He has been integral in sourcing and transacting across the Mainstream wind portfolio, Bokpoort CSP, AE AMD and Oricol investments and is currently a director on the boards of Tecroveer, Kathu and Sindila.
Peter Rowse
Peter Rowse
Peter Rowse is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder and a director and principal at Metier, in support of the Capital Growth Funds. Peter completed his under and postgraduate degrees at Stellenbosch University, specialising in management sciences and financial analysis.
He joined Metier in 2010 as an analyst to gain experience in the financial services and private equity industries. During his time on the analyst programme, Peter developed his skills in transaction research and analysis, financial modelling and investment recommendation processes. Peter was promoted to the role of associate in 2012. Peter’s responsibilities include research and valuation support across the portfolio of investments as well as roles as a director on the boards of Portfolio Companies and as a consultant on specific projects.
Robert Nel
Robert Nel
Robert is an Associate at Metier who graduated from Stellenbosch University with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2005 and an LLB (top of his class) in 2008. After completing his studies, he spent four years at Webber Wentzel attorneys, predominantly in the project finance practice group. During this time, he worked almost entirely in the renewable energy sector, and was part of the team that developed the REIPPP programme. His focus areas included drafting the PPAs for seven different generation technologies, interfacing with the technical and financial advisory teams and participating in bid evaluations. Rob also worked on gas, hydro and other energy and infrastructure project.
In 2012, Rob joined Bain & Company where he consulted to financial services, telecommunications and mining companies. At the end of 2015, he moved to Afriwise where he initially advised companies on African business and legal risks. Rob joined Metier in June 2018, his initial focus area was the management of the Sindila project.
Mike Goldblatt
Mike Goldblatt
Mike Goldblatt is an executive in the Sustainable Capital team. He holds an undergraduate degree in medical sciences and Masters degrees in Geography and Environmental Science, from the University of the Witwatersrand, and Economics from London University (UCL) specialising in environmental economics.
Prior to joining the Metier team for the Sustainable Capital fund, Mike worked for a decade as a consultant and transaction adviser in the fields of climate change mitigation and renewable energy for the private sector and national, provincial and local levels of government, acting as a partner in the PDG group. Mike also has experience in other municipal service and infrastructure sectors with specific expertise in waste management and water services. Mike is a co-investor and developer in Solafrica Thermal Energy and is integrally involved in the ongoing leadership of Bokpoort CSP as well as sourcing and advising on Sustainable Capital transactions. Mike acts as the Social and Environmental Management Officer for LMSC.
The Investment Executives
Alex Gachuiri Kagotho
Alex Gachuiri Kagotho
Alex joined Metier in 2022 as an associate. He graduated with a BA in Economics from Moi University, and he has a professional accountancy qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Alex is also studying towards his Chartered Financial Analyst qualification where he has obtained CFA level I and II.
Prior to joining the Metier Team, Alex worked at several firms in the financial sector from the Equity Investment Bank to Cassia Capital Partners Ltd, where he gained wealth of knowledge and experience in the investment Industry.
Callan Leong
Callan Leong
Callan is an Associate at Metier with extensive experience in finance and investment across Africa. She holds a BCom Honours degree in Corporate Finance and Investments from the University of the Witwatersrand. Callan began her career in commodity trading with Sail Minerals, before advancing into management consulting at Aspect Advisory and specialising in project finance advisory at Cresco Project Finance.
Callan has extensive experience in financial modelling, project finance, equity and debt fundraising, and due diligence, having worked on numerous high-profile projects across sectors such as renewable energy, mining, healthcare, transport, and infrastructure. With a strong focus on Southern Africa, she has successfully managed complex financial transactions and developed tailored investment strategies that drive long-term, sustainable outcomes.
Carmen Jenner
Carmen Jenner
Carmen has over 20 years financial reporting experience, and was part of the Metier team as financial manager and financial accountant for the group between 2017 – 2023.
After focusing on her studies and qualifying as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA), Carmen rejoined Metier in June 2024 as a financial reporting analyst supporting and working closely with both the Capital Growth and Sustainable Capital investment teams to regularly analyse the respective portfolio companies’ financial performance.
Christy Viljoen
Sibongile Ngoatje
Christy Viljoen joined Metier as an Associate in 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Business Science in Finance and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Cape Town.
Prior to joining Metier, Christy completed her articles at Allan Gray, where she gained broad exposure through rotations across various teams, including the investment team and 3 Capital Ventures. These experiences provided her with a strong foundation in investment research, financial analysis, and business operations. She has worked across the telecommunications, FMCG, and software industries, conducting due diligence and assessing financial performance.
Diana Hunt
Diana Hunt
Diana graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting in 2015 and a Bachelor of Business Science, specialising in Finance with Accounting.
Diana joined Metier’s investment team in February 2020 as an Analyst.
Prior to joining Metier, Diana was an Audit Manager in Deloitte's Financial Services division, where she gained experience in a retail and commercial bank, as well as a JSE listed financial services group.
Diana completed articles at Deloitte Johannesburg and was on a four month secondment at the Deloitte New York office, covering an SEC-registered institutional asset manager, focused on structured credit and private equity investments.
Edzard Scherpbier
Edzard Scherpbier
Based in Nairobi, Edzard Scherpbier serves as an Associate Principal at Metier’s Capital Growth practice. With an international upbringing and a strong technical foundation – holding an MSc in Engineering & Policy Analysis alongside BSc degrees in Mathematics and Physics – Edzard combines analytical rigour with a passion for fostering connections and collaboration. Edzard brings diverse professional experience from consulting and working at a Development Finance Institution, which has honed his ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver impactful solutions.
At Metier, Edzard’s responsibilities include conducting research and analysis for Metier’s ongoing and new investments, engaging with investors and advisors, preparing and negotiating transaction documentation and providing valuation support.
Galie Makhathini
Galie Makhathini
Galie graduated from Stellenbosch Business School with a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Finance in 2017, a BSc (Hons) Environmental Monitoring and Modelling from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2017 and a BSc Geological Science from the University of KwaZulu Natal in 2010. Galie completed her MBA at the Wits Business School in 2020.
Galie joined Metier in January 2020 as the ESMS Officer. Prior to joining Metier, Galie was an ESG Specialist for the Africa Food Security Fund and an ESG Advisor at generalist fund manager. At both funds, Galie was responsible for advising the investment team on the material ESG issues during the deal screening and due diligence processes while establishing ESG policies and procedures as well as ESG best practice management frameworks for portfolio companies.
Before this Galie was an ESG Consultant at EBS Advisory, where she managed private equity clients in FMCG, infrastructure development, property and real estate development.
James Bezuidenhout
James Bezuidenhout
James is an associate in the Capital Growth practice, having joined Metier’s investment team in May 2024. James holds an MA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from the University of Edinburgh.
Prior to joining Metier, James was an Investment Banking analyst in the London office of Lincoln International. He worked on a range of M&A transactions in Europe and the UK specifically focused on the consumer and industrial sectors. Prior to this, he was an analyst at Jamieson Corporate Finance, working on management advisory mandates across M&A transactions globally.
Jennifer Gitonga
Jennifer Gitonga
Jennifer joined Metier as an ESG Associate in June 2025. She holds an LLB, Law from the University of Reading, and an MSc in Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Management (Distinction) from the University of York. She is also a Certified Expert in ESG and Impact Investing, certified by the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.
Prior to joining Metier, Jennifer was a Capacity, ESG & Impact Analyst at Goodwell Investments where she focused on embedding ESG and impact considerations across the investment lifecycle. Her work involved conducting ESG due diligence and impact assessments, developing and implementing Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs), aligning investments with internal ESG and impact frameworks, and coordinating capacity building initiatives for portfolio companies. Before that, she worked in the ESG team at Deloitte Kenya and the Sustainability team at Absa Bank Kenya.
Jo-Mari Kopke
Jo-Mari van Zyl
Jo-Mari is a Chartered Financial Analyst ® and an Associate in the Capital Growth Fund. She assists with the management of portfolio companies across the hospitality, manufacturing and clothing retail sectors. Jo-Mari has had exposure to a range of transactions that have developed her analytical skills, relationship management and sound judgement. Her role also includes providing valuation support across the Capital Growth Fund investment portfolio.
Jo-Mari graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2015 achieving distinction in her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in BCom Investment Management. In January 2016, she joined Metier as an intern to gain experience across the private equity spectrum from deal sourcing to portfolio management and exits. In December 2016, she joined the Analyst Programme where she developed skills in transaction research and analysis, financial modelling and the investment recommendation processes.
Riccardo Lombard
Riccardo Lombard
Riccardo joined Metier in 2023 as part of its analyst programme and is a member of the Capital Growth team. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Management Sciences) with a focus on Investment Management from Stellenbosch University (2022). Since joining Metier, he has been exposed to the full investment lifecycle and actively supports the team with implementing the internal training and development programme.
Sibongile Ngoatje
Sibongile Ngoatje
Sibongile holds a BCom and BCom Honours degree in Accounting Sciences from the University of Pretoria. After completing her studies, she completed her articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Assurance division and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2016.
Sibongile joins Metier’s investment team in 2021. Prior to Metier, Sibongile was an audit manager from 2017 to 2019, with a focus on the audits of companies in the construction and renewable energy industries. In 2018, she was seconded to Toronto Canada with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In 2019, Sibongile joined the Advisory division of PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Transaction Services deals team, gaining exposure to transactions in various industries, with a particular focus on renewable energy.
Sharleen Kikunze
Sharleen Kikunze
Sharleen joined Metier in 2023 as an Associate. She has 9 years of experience in the Finance and Investment sector. Before joining Metier, she was an Investment Associate at Yunus Social Business, where she was responsible for sourcing, evaluating, performing due diligence and structuring potential investments. Prior to that, she held roles at Endeavor and InVhestia Africa Limited.
Sharleen has an MBA from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (2023) and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Financial Economics from Strathmore University (2015).
Xavier Chartier
Xavier Chartier
Xavier is an Associate at Metier, with several years of experience in the finance industry in Africa. Xavier holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the INSEEC Paris Business School. He began his career in Africa by joining the Deloitte Transactions Services department, Bpifrance and Cresco project finance.
Xavier has been involved in financial modelling, project finance, equity and debt fundraising, due diligence, an export credit facility backed by ECA in various sectors including renewable energy, mining, healthcare, industry, transport, infrastructure, telecom, and defence with a strong focus on West and Southern Africa.
Legal Advisory
Investor Relations
Legal Advisory
Malcolm Ball
Malcolm Ball
Malcolm Ball was admitted as an attorney in 1989 and became a partner at Bell Dewar & Hall, where he served on the Executive Committee of the firm. Malcolm practised in the fields of commercial litigation, employment law and dispute resolution.
In 2000, Malcolm joined his former partner Paul Botha in Brait's multi-disciplinary advisory practice. Malcolm has extensive experience in the field of mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, human resources law and litigation which greatly benefit Metier's transaction execution capability. Malcolm is a director of Metier and the legal counsel to its private equity funds. He ensures that Metier delivers effective corporate legal solutions to clients and portfolio companies.
Investor Relations
Tanya Goncalves
Tanya Goncalves
Tanya joined the Metier team in July 2021 as Head of Investor Relations and Impact. Tanya is responsible for ongoing investor relations management and fund raising with existing and prospective investor groups globally, and strategically managing Metier’s impact mandate.
Tanya completed her B.Com Informatics degree and B.Com Honors degree in Business Management at the University of South Africa. She also holds a PDBA and MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Business school where her master’s thesis focused on Methods to develop a global mindset.
Before joining Metier, Tanya was the Chief Executive Officer of the Southern African Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SAVCA) where she cultivated a passion for the industry. Tanya also had a rewarding 10-year career at GIBS Business School with her last role being the Director of Academic Programmes.
Finance and Governance
Angelique Pretorius
Angelique Pretorius
Angelique Pretorius joined Metier in 2008 and completed her BCompt in Accounting Science through UNISA and serves as the financial manager of the Capital Growth Funds.
Prior to that Angelique has many years of service dating back to over a decade with the team to Brait days where she worked on many of the private equity funds.
Deepika Lutchminarain
Deepika Lutchminarain
Deepika is a Financial Manager who joined the Metier Team in 2023. She has more than 20 years of experience and progressive growth from a Junior Accountant to a Portfolio Manager within the private and public business sector environments. Prior to working at Metier, Deepika worked at Ethos Private Capital, Professional Provident Society, Momentum and Alexander Forbes in various accounting roles.
Deepika graduated from the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences majoring in Accounting and Finance in 2011. She is currently working toward her CIMA qualification.
Lokesh Sunnassee
Lokesh Sunnassee
Lokesh joined Metier in 2023 as a Fund Accountant. He has several years of experience in the finance industry. Prior to joining Metier, he was an Accountant at LS Advisors Ltd in Mauritius. Prior to LS Advisors, Lokesh was at Kross Border Business Solutions Ltd, where he worked his way up from a Senior Associate to an Accounts Executive. He also worked as a Customs Officer at the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
Lokesh has a Masters in Finance from the Sorbonne Business School (2022), an ACCA advanced diploma in Accounting & Business from the London College of Accountancy (2015) and a Bsc Hons in Finance from the University of Mauritius (2012).
Nafiisah Pirbaccosse
Nafiisah Pirbaccosse
Nafiisah, a qualified Chartered Accounting (ACCA), joined the Metier Team in September 2025 as a Finance Manager, bringing over a decade of experience in accounting and auditing.
Prior to Metier, Nafiisah served as a Senior Auditor at BDO LLP for six years, where she led audits for a diverse portfolio of clients. Her role involved managing complex engagements, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering insights that supported client growth and governance.
Earlier in her career, Nafiisah held various accounting roles at H.A Ramtoola, the official distributor of Nestlé products in Mauritius. This experience gave her hands-on exposure to operational finance, inventory management, and commercial accounting.
Naiimah Wahab
Naiimah Wahab
Naiimah Wahab is responsible for the maintenance and reporting for Metier’s office and structures in Mauritius. She is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and holds a MBA from the Heriot-Watt University. Prior to joining Metier in 2017, she worked at SGG Mauritius (previoulsy Cim Global Business) where she was overseeing the administration and accounting of a range of different clients and structures.
Nicholas Ryan Ho
Nicholas Ho
Nicholas joined the Metier team in 2021 as Compliance Administrator. He obtained his Master of Science (Molecular and Cell Biology), Bachelor of Science Honours (Biotechnology) and Bachelor of Science (Microbiology and Genetics) degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand. Nicholas has prior experience in the pharmaceutical and brewing industries.
Noushreen Mutty-Suhootoorah
Noushreen Mutty-Suhootoorah
Noushreen Mutty-Suhootoorah, a qualified barrister at law in England and Mauritius with over five years of experiences, joined Metier in October 2021 as Senior AML/CFT Administrator. She holds an LLB (Hons) from Middlesex University. She completed the Bar Professional Training Course at The University of West of England and was called to the Bar of England & Wales in July 2015 at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Noushreen is a partly qualified ICSA and is also an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator.
Oulsee Moher
Oulsee Moher
Oulsee joined Metier in June 2023 and is responsible for the administrative and company secretarial tasks of the structures in Mauritius. Prior to joining Metier, she was an Associate Manager at IQ EQ Global (Mauritius) Limited where she started her career. She was responsible for the corporate administration of different fund and corporate structures and has over 9 years of experience in the financial sector.
Thato Makoe
Thato Makoe
Thato holds a BCom and BCom Accounting honours degree from the University of the Free State. After completing her studies, she completed her articles at Deloitte in the financial services division, where she gained experience in business and commercial banking, as well as private equity. After her articles, Thato was on a four month secondment at the Deloitte Edinburgh office, where she gained experience and insight of a global asset manager.
Thato joined Metier in 2022 as a Financial Manager and assists with the full accounting/finance function across all funds.
Prior to joining Metier, Thato was a Risk Sensing Manager at Deloitte, responsible for managing audit risk for listed financial services clients. In 2021, she managed audits of UK based private equity and investment management entities at Deloitte London.
Wendy Diamond
Wendy Diamond
Wendy Diamond completed her under-and postgraduate degrees in accounting and commerce at the University of the Witwatersrand. She served articles at Fisher Hoffman PKF in Johannesburg where she qualified as a chartered accountant in 1999.
Wendy then joined Siemens South Africa as Financial Projects Officer. She was responsible for the implementation of US GAAP throughout the South African and African subsidiaries and was a key member of the South African task team involved in the listing of Siemens AG on the NYSE. Wendy joined Brait in 2001 where she acted as a CFO with responsibility for three private equity funds, and as a tax advisor and corporate finance executive in the advisory division where she was involved in the Softline and Aplitec/Net 1 transactions.
Wendy joined the Metier team in 2007 as CFO for the Growth Capital Funds. In September 2016, she stepped down as CFO in order to spend more time with her young family and now works as support to the finance team.
Zhané Naidoo
Zhané Naidoo
Zhané Naidoo is a strategic level candidate of CIMA with an undergraduate degree in Financial Sciences and an Honours degree in Financial Management from the University of Pretoria. She has multifaceted experience in accounting, auditing, tax planning and financial reporting. She joined Metier in April 2020 as a financial accountant in the Sustainable Capital Practice.
Support Staff
Bongani Dlamini
Charmaine Ho
Christine Okwisa Oyando
Ellinah Chirwa
Jacky Reed
Mpho Buthelezi
Yolisa Wendy Mfobo
© 2025 Metier. All Rights Reserved. Metier Private Equity (Pty) Ltd, Lereko Metier Sustainable Capital Managers (Pty) Ltd, Metier Sustainable Capital Managers (Pty) Ltd and Metier Capital Growth Fund III Manager (Pty) Ltd are licenced Financial Services Providers (Licence No: 44882, Licence No: 44430, Licence No: 48547 and Licence No: 53015 respectively) in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 37 of 2002 and have Conflict of Interest Management Policies as required in terms of Section 3A of the General Code of Conduct.