GroFin wins the ‘SME Financier’ category in AGF Awards

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The Awards were presented at a gala dinner hosted in Sandton, Johannesburg last week and attended by nearly 100 professionals from the asset management and private equity industry. The AGF Awards are decided by an independent panel of esteemed industry leaders and experts and the winners are determined solely on merit.

“GroFin is honoured to be recognised for our work in developing SMEs in Africa through our model of providing our clients support beyond finance. We are proud to contribute to increasing direct investment into Africa through financing businesses that deliver real impact alongside positive returns,” – Guido Boysen, CEO of GroFin

Africa Global Funds (AGF) is a leading monthly publication which provides coverage and analysis of the African asset management, investment and private equity industries. AGF created the Awards to honour and generate both industry and public recognition of the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of Fund Service Providers covering Africa.

This was the first year that a category for fund managers in the SME space was added to the list of awards presented. GroFin was shortlisted for this award alongside two strong competitors namely, Spartan SME Finance and Barak Fund Management. Other award categories recognised firms such as Investec, Standard Bank, Maitland, Webber Wentzel, and BNY Mellon for excellence in providing specialised fund administration, brokering, banking, legal and advisory services in the African asset management space.

“GroFin is honoured to be recognised for our work in developing SMEs in Africa through our model of providing our clients support beyond finance. We are proud to contribute to increasing direct investment into Africa through financing businesses that deliver real impact alongside positive returns,” said Guido Boysen, CEO of GroFin.

GroFin was established in 2004 to provide a unique solution of finance and support to SMEs previously doomed to the ‘missing middle’ because they are considered too big for micro-finance and too small for private equity funds. Since its inception in 2004, GroFin has invested nearly $340 million in over 700 SMEs in Africa, as well as the Middle East.

About GroFin

GroFin is a pioneering private development financial institution specialising in financing and supporting small and growing businesses (SGBs) across Africa and the Middle East. By successfully combining medium-term loans and specialised business support delivered through our local offices, we have invested in over 700 SMEs and sustained over 90 000 jobs across a wide spectrum of business activities within the 15 countries in Africa and Middle East that we operate in. GroFin is headquartered in Mauritius.

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Brienne van der Walt appointed as successor to Guido Boysen

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GroFin today announced that Brienne van der Walt, currently Chief Investment Officer, has been appointed as its CEO, effective 13 January 2020, to succeed Guido Boysen who will relocate back to Europe.

Jurie Willemse, GroFin Chairman said: “Guido’s drive combined with his commitment to serving the best interests of the company, have materially strengthened GroFin. He leaves a strong company well placed for future success. I’d like to thank him for his contribution to GroFin.”

“I am excited about the future of GroFin as Brienne has the qualities that we looked for in a CEO. He is a multi-disciplinary thinker with broad experience, shows intellectual curiosity, is entrepreneurial, yet objective.  He has strong technical skills and great business insight. He is a strong, dynamic and values-driven leader. The Board warmly welcomes Brienne to the role and wishes him every success.”

Guido Boysen, GroFin CEO said: “I congratulate Brienne on his appointment and look forward to working with him during the transition period. Brienne is a proven leader that shows appreciation for people, he builds respect and trust and his appointment is well supported by fellow team members.”

“It has been an honour to lead GroFin over the last years. Throughout this time, I have been humbled by the commitment and hard work of our people, and their passion for creating a truly purpose-driven company. I am very grateful to them, as I am to GroFin’s supportive investors and other stakeholders, with whom we have worked to build our unique business”.

Brienne van der Walt said: “It will be a great privilege to lead GroFin, a truly pioneering impact first SME financier full of talented people. I have seen first-hand the many ways in which GroFin finance and business support improve people’s businesses, positively impacting so many lives every day.”

“I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Guido for his leadership of GroFin and look forward to working closely with him during the transition.” 

Guido Boysen’s tenure as CEO ends 12 January 2020. He will support the transition process in the first half of 2020 and will leave the company at the end of June.

A successor to the role of Chief Investment Officer will be announced shortly.

About GroFin

GroFin is a pioneering private development financial institution specialising in financing and supporting small and growing businesses (SGBs) across Africa and the Middle East. We combine medium term loan capital and specialised business support to grow SGBs in emerging markets. By successfully combining medium term loans and specialised business support delivered through our local offices, we have invested in over 700 SMEs and sustained over 90,900 jobs across a wide spectrum of business activities within the 15 countries in Africa and Middle East that we operate in. GroFin has its headquarters located in Mauritius.

Media Enquiries:
Marketing & Communications Department
Email: [email protected]