What our Clients say about us:

“As shareholders, Ubora Group needed to replace a vacancy in the CEO role of a subsidiary that we were considering potentially disposing of. We didn’t want to make a permanent appointment given the state of flux of the investment. We also wanted to appoint someone with a strong financial background in case we decided to prepare the business for sale. There were a lot of sensitivities to the business, with employees that had worked for the business for close on 40 years who were uncomfortable with change.

Through CFO Centre we appointed Richard Jahnig. He came in with the required level of sensitivity and took his time to understand the staff, the operations, and the challenges. The employees felt heard and understood and so he gained their trust and respect very quickly. He then created new reporting structures and put various systems in place. This empowered the employees and gave them freedom to operate within the structures. He also started the process to update a very outdated accounting system. Unfortunately, due to other opportunities, Richard was only with the company for 3 months but he managed to completely transform the business during that short time.

Richard helped us identify a suitable CEO successor internally and she was appointed post his departure. Through empowering her and with the new management structures put in place by Richard, the business has grown in strength, and we are no longer considering disposing of the business. Richard also created a very comprehensive handover pack when he left which really helped the team post his departure. Our team became very attached to Richard in a very short time and he still checks in on them and has made himself available if they ever need a sounding board. I can highly recommend Richard for any future positions, he is level-headed and sensitive but also strategic, structured and firm. Our experience with CFO Centre exceeded our expectations and we will certainly consider using them again.”

Claire Du Bourg – CEO Ubora Group

“Thank you to you and your team for the support that you have given to Group Five to navigate through what appeared to be an insurmountable task, given the sheer extent of the Group structure with some 180 Companies in existence across various countries and jurisdictions, notwithstanding the challenges that were faced with the Company being placed in Business Rescue. The BR process was voted as the best Business Rescue for 2021 as adjudicated by Dealmakers with Creditors being placed in a better position than liquidation resulting in the majority of Secured Creditors being repaid and concurrent creditors receiving distributions throughout the process dependent on the timing of cash inflows relating to unsecured assets. Putting this into context, the debt at the commencement of the BR process was in excess of R5,0bn.

Once again, thank you to you and your team’s support in being flexible and adaptable through the entire process over the past four years, ensuring that we had the right skills at the right time to achieve what is possibly ranked as the biggest and most successful Business Rescue in South Africa.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish The CFO Centre continued success as you celebrate your 21st year milestone, and as you move forward into your next phase, unprecedented growth adding value to your existing and future client base.”

Anthony Clacher – CFO, Group Five Limited

“Hi Matt

I have truly appreciated your input during this past year, particularly your attention to detail and constantly keeping discussions focussed on achieving clarity amid sometimes somewhat complex matters. The spade work involved in the recent detailed and complex exercise regarding the shareholding and share values of our family’s investments together with your beady eye into the detail, etc. has been invaluable, together with a knowledge of company and tax legalities and being a go-between with the outside consulting firm.

This year has been one of focused effort and support by all resulting in the registration of the new group HOLDCO and group restructuring with the benefit of establishing a very complex capital reserve structure with no tax consequences. The timing of this exercise has been perfectly rewarded with the timeous saving of millions of rands in taxes (legitimately) and providing 20% extra distributions to the beneficiaries of the family Trust, who really appreciate the work done to achieve this. We have lodged quite a milestone in the history of our group of companies.

Thanks for being there for me and the rest of the board members, what a team!”

Andrew Hall  – Director, Dickon Hall Group

“The Group had a void in financial leadership in the Training Division and secondly required senior financial input as part of a project team for the implementation of a new ERP system. 

Alta added immense value to both streams of work and in a relatively short space of time is deemed a key stakeholder in the success of these projects. Her intellect and financial astuteness has assisted in creating environments that are organised and poised to sustain themselves in an efficient manner.

Alta filled the gaps we had, seamlessly and with the dedication of a seasoned business executive. She does not “shout from the rooftops” but quickly understands the challenges at hand and is pragmatic in getting on with and creating solutions. She is also deadline orientated and structures her and her teams work effort to ensure the seamless running of her work stream responsibilities.”

Bruce Toerien – Managing Director, Adcorp Training Division