The board has delegated authority to the various board committees, the chief executive officer and the subsidiary management boards.
Key responsibilities
The audit committee is a statutory committee that carries out its duties in accordance with the Companies Act.
In addition to its statutory duties, the committee provides independent oversight in relation to the external audit, internal audit and finance functions. The committee assists the board in overseeing the integrity of the annual financial statements and related financial and external reports. It assesses the independence and objectivity of the external auditors and the effectiveness of internal financial controls based on assurance gained from management and written assessment from the internal audit. In addition, the committee assists the board in overseeing the integrated reporting process and regulatory compliance.
The audit committee comprises three independent non-executive directors. The remaining board members attend meetings by invitation.
Members
Daphne Motsepe
Chairperson
BCompt; MBA
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Finance, banking, governance and leadershipDaphne was formerly the chief executive of card and unsecured lending at Absa Bank and also served as managing director of Postbank. She previously served as a non-executive director of Investec Bank, Highveld Steel and Vanadium, Edcon, Mercantile Bank, Woolworths Financial Services, Rand Mutual Assurance and Thebe Investment Corporation.
Specific contribution to the board
Daphne’s experience includes serving as chairperson of remuneration as well as social, ethics and transformation committees of other boards and serving as a member of the audit, risk and nominations/directors affairs committees.
Brendan Deegan
BCompt; CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2022
Expertise and experience
Accounting, finance, governance, assurance and riskBrendan is a former partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in South Africa. His roles at PwC included head of the South Africa and Africa audit/assurance practices, chairperson of the Africa governance board and head of the global internal audit practice. He was involved with and advised many large multinational companies over a number of years.
Specific contribution to the board
Brendan serves as a non-executive director of Lewis Group and Monarch Insurance Company Limited. He is an experienced accountant and former auditor with expertise in financial reporting, leadership and governance, and assurance and risk.
Tapiwa Njikizana
BCompt (Hons); CTA, CA(SA); JSE Registered IFRS Advisor
Committees
Appointed 2019
Expertise and experience
Accounting, financial reporting and consultingTapiwa is an executive director at W.consulting SA (Pty) Limited. He previously served as a nonexecutive director on the board of Iliad Africa Limited and Mercantile Bank Holdings Limited.
He was recognised for his contribution to the consulting industry receiving the “Top Consulting Professional” at the Sanlam South African Professional Services Awards. Tapiwa held roles in leading industry bodies and committees including being a member of the Accounting Practice Committee of SAICA, and a member of the Financial Reporting Investigation Panel of the JSE.
Specific contribution to the board
Tapiwa is an experienced non-executive director with expertise in the financial services sector, including experience chairing audit and technology committees for other entities, as well as experience on the remuneration and nominations committees of Lewis Group.
Key responsibilities
The committee reviews the risk profile of the Group on a quarterly basis to ensure that relevant risks are reflected on the risk profile and oversees that risk management and compliance processes are effectively implemented in the Group. In addition, the committee is responsible for overseeing information technology (IT) governance and the development of IT systems that enable the business to continue to function effectively.
The risk committee consists of six independent non-executive directors and two executive directors.
Members
Daphne Motsepe
Chairperson
BCompt; MBA
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Finance, banking, governance and leadershipDaphne was formerly the chief executive of card and unsecured lending at Absa Bank and also served as managing director of Postbank. She previously served as a non-executive director of Investec Bank, Highveld Steel and Vanadium, Edcon, Mercantile Bank, Woolworths Financial Services, Rand Mutual Assurance and Thebe Investment Corporation.
Specific contribution to the board
Daphne’s experience includes serving as chairperson of remuneration as well as social, ethics and transformation committees of other boards and serving as a member of the audit, risk and nominations/directors affairs committees.
Prof. Fatima Abrahams
BEcon (Hons); MCom; DCom
Committees
Appointed 2005
Appointed as lead independent director in 2021
Expertise and experience
Human resources, remuneration and ESGGFatima is an academic, experienced company director and a registered industrial psychologist. She is an emeritus professor at the University of the Western Cape, having also served as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
Specific contribution to the board
Fatima has served as a non-executive director on the board of large listed companies, particularly in the retail sector. She built up extensive business experience over the years, particularly in the areas of remuneration, human capital and ESG, and has added substantial value to the board in these areas. She performed similar roles for other listed and unlisted entities over a number of years.
Jacques Bestbier
(CFO)
BCom (Hons); BCompt (Hons); CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed to the board 2018
Expertise and experience
Accounting and financeJacques is an experienced chartered accountant with a background in short-term insurance, banking and retail. He joined the Group in 2012 and served as general manager: administration prior to his appointment as chief financial officer
Specific contribution to the board
Jacques is the chief financial officer and an executive director of the Group.
Adheera Bodasing
BA; LLB
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Legal and compliance.Adheera practised at two of South Africa’s leading law firms where she specialised in intellectual property law, gambling law and financial sector law and policy. She headed the legal division of the National Treasury before starting Polarity Consulting which provides legal guidance and advisory services to local and international businesses in highly regulated industries.
Specific contribution to the board
Adheera engages regularly with parliament and the various financial sector regulators which allows her to advise the board on current and proposed regulations and policies impacting the business. Her broad understanding of the business’ legal and regulatory framework also enables her to contribute on matters relating to regulatory compliance as well as other legal aspects.
Brendan Deegan
BCompt; CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2022
Expertise and experience
Accounting, finance, governance, assurance and riskBrendan is a former partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in South Africa. His roles at PwC included head of the South Africa and Africa audit/assurance practices, chairperson of the Africa governance board and head of the global internal audit practice. He was involved with and advised many large multinational companies over a number of years.
Specific contribution to the board
Brendan serves as a non-executive director of Lewis Group and Monarch Insurance Company Limited. He is an experienced accountant and former auditor with expertise in financial reporting, leadership and governance, and assurance and risk.
Johan Enslin
(CEO)
Committees
Appointed to the board 2009
Expertise and experience
Operations, strategy and governanceJohan has 32 years’ credit furniture retail experience. He joined Lewis Group as a salesman in 1993 and rose rapidly through the ranks, holding positions including branch manager, regional controller, divisional general manager, general manager: operations and operations director of Lewis Stores. He was the chief operating officer responsible for the retail operations of the Group prior to his appointment as chief executive officer.
Specific contribution to the board
Johan is the chief executive officer and an executive director of the Group, and has a wealth of retail experience gained through all stages of the economic cycle.
Tapiwa Njikizana
BCompt (Hons); CTA, CA(SA); JSE Registered IFRS Advisor
Committees
Appointed 2019
Expertise and experience
Accounting, financial reporting and consultingTapiwa is an executive director at W.consulting SA (Pty) Limited. He previously served as a nonexecutive director on the board of Iliad Africa Limited and Mercantile Bank Holdings Limited.
He was recognised for his contribution to the consulting industry receiving the “Top Consulting Professional” at the Sanlam South African Professional Services Awards. Tapiwa held roles in leading industry bodies and committees including being a member of the Accounting Practice Committee of SAICA, and a member of the Financial Reporting Investigation Panel of the JSE.
Specific contribution to the board
Tapiwa is an experienced non-executive director with expertise in the financial services sector, including experience chairing audit and technology committees for other entities, as well as experience on the remuneration and nominations committees of Lewis Group.
Hilton Saven
BCom (Hons); CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2004
Appointed as the chairperson in 2017
Expertise and experience
Corporate governance, strategy and finance.Hilton is an experienced company director and chartered accountant. He is the former chairman of Mazars South Africa, an international accounting firm, as well as the former chairman of Praxity Alliance, an international alliance of accounting firms.
Specific contribution to the board
Hilton’s extensive experience in corporate governance, strategy, accounting and finance supports the board in fulfilling its statutory obligations and financial oversight responsibilities. He performed these roles over a number of years for both listed and large private companies.
Key responsibilities
The nomination committee is primarily responsible for establishing a formal recruitment process for the appointment of directors, whilst ensuring that the board remains diverse with an appropriate mix of skills, experience and qualities. The committee confirms annually that none of the directors have become disqualified. In addition, the committee ensures succession plans are developed for the board, CEO and senior management.
The committee consists of six independent non-executive directors. The CEO attends meetings at the invitation of the committee.
Members
Hilton Saven
Chairperson
BCom (Hons); CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2004
Appointed as the chairperson in 2017
Expertise and experience
Corporate governance, strategy and finance.Hilton is an experienced company director and chartered accountant. He is the former chairman of Mazars South Africa, an international accounting firm, as well as the former chairman of Praxity Alliance, an international alliance of accounting firms.
Specific contribution to the board
Hilton’s extensive experience in corporate governance, strategy, accounting and finance supports the board in fulfilling its statutory obligations and financial oversight responsibilities. He performed these roles over a number of years for both listed and large private companies.
Brendan Deegan
BCompt; CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2022
Expertise and experience
Accounting, finance, governance, assurance and riskBrendan is a former partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in South Africa. His roles at PwC included head of the South Africa and Africa audit/assurance practices, chairperson of the Africa governance board and head of the global internal audit practice. He was involved with and advised many large multinational companies over a number of years.
Specific contribution to the board
Brendan serves as a non-executive director of Lewis Group and Monarch Insurance Company Limited. He is an experienced accountant and former auditor with expertise in financial reporting, leadership and governance, and assurance and risk.
Prof. Fatima Abrahams
BEcon (Hons); MCom; DCom
Committees
Appointed 2005
Appointed as lead independent director in 2021
Expertise and experience
Human resources, remuneration and ESGGFatima is an academic, experienced company director and a registered industrial psychologist. She is an emeritus professor at the University of the Western Cape, having also served as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
Specific contribution to the board
Fatima has served as a non-executive director on the board of large listed companies, particularly in the retail sector. She built up extensive business experience over the years, particularly in the areas of remuneration, human capital and ESG, and has added substantial value to the board in these areas. She performed similar roles for other listed and unlisted entities over a number of years.
Daphne Motsepe
BCompt; MBA
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Finance, banking, governance and leadershipDaphne was formerly the chief executive of card and unsecured lending at Absa Bank and also served as managing director of Postbank. She previously served as a non-executive director of Investec Bank, Highveld Steel and Vanadium, Edcon, Mercantile Bank, Woolworths Financial Services, Rand Mutual Assurance and Thebe Investment Corporation.
Specific contribution to the board
Daphne’s experience includes serving as chairperson of remuneration as well as social, ethics and transformation committees of other boards and serving as a member of the audit, risk and nominations/directors affairs committees.
Adheera Bodasing
BA; LLB
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Legal and compliance.Adheera practised at two of South Africa’s leading law firms where she specialised in intellectual property law, gambling law and financial sector law and policy. She headed the legal division of the National Treasury before starting Polarity Consulting which provides legal guidance and advisory services to local and international businesses in highly regulated industries.
Specific contribution to the board
Adheera engages regularly with parliament and the various financial sector regulators which allows her to advise the board on current and proposed regulations and policies impacting the business. Her broad understanding of the business’ legal and regulatory framework also enables her to contribute on matters relating to regulatory compliance as well as other legal aspects.
Tapiwa Njikizana
BCompt (Hons); CTA, CA(SA); JSE Registered IFRS Advisor
Committees
Appointed 2019
Expertise and experience
Accounting, financial reporting and consultingTapiwa is an executive director at W.consulting SA (Pty) Limited. He previously served as a nonexecutive director on the board of Iliad Africa Limited and Mercantile Bank Holdings Limited.
He was recognised for his contribution to the consulting industry receiving the “Top Consulting Professional” at the Sanlam South African Professional Services Awards. Tapiwa held roles in leading industry bodies and committees including being a member of the Accounting Practice Committee of SAICA, and a member of the Financial Reporting Investigation Panel of the JSE.
Specific contribution to the board
Tapiwa is an experienced non-executive director with expertise in the financial services sector, including experience chairing audit and technology committees for other entities, as well as experience on the remuneration and nominations committees of Lewis Group.
Key responsibilities
The remuneration committee assists the board by ensuring that Company has a remuneration policy in place which is in line with the Company’s performance-oriented culture and fairly rewards staff for their contribution in achieving the Group’s strategic, financial and operational objectives.
The committee consists of six independent non-executive directors. The CEO attends meetings at the invitation of the committee.
Members
Prof. Fatima Abrahams
Chairperson
BEcon (Hons); MCom; DCom
Committees
Appointed 2005
Appointed as lead independent director in 2021
Expertise and experience
Human resources, remuneration and ESGGFatima is an academic, experienced company director and a registered industrial psychologist. She is an emeritus professor at the University of the Western Cape, having also served as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
Specific contribution to the board
Fatima has served as a non-executive director on the board of large listed companies, particularly in the retail sector. She built up extensive business experience over the years, particularly in the areas of remuneration, human capital and ESG, and has added substantial value to the board in these areas. She performed similar roles for other listed and unlisted entities over a number of years.
Daphne Motsepe
BCompt; MBA
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Finance, banking, governance and leadershipDaphne was formerly the chief executive of card and unsecured lending at Absa Bank and also served as managing director of Postbank. She previously served as a non-executive director of Investec Bank, Highveld Steel and Vanadium, Edcon, Mercantile Bank, Woolworths Financial Services, Rand Mutual Assurance and Thebe Investment Corporation.
Specific contribution to the board
Daphne’s experience includes serving as chairperson of remuneration as well as social, ethics and transformation committees of other boards and serving as a member of the audit, risk and nominations/directors affairs committees.
Adheera Bodasing
BA; LLB
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Legal and compliance.Adheera practised at two of South Africa’s leading law firms where she specialised in intellectual property law, gambling law and financial sector law and policy. She headed the legal division of the National Treasury before starting Polarity Consulting which provides legal guidance and advisory services to local and international businesses in highly regulated industries.
Specific contribution to the board
Adheera engages regularly with parliament and the various financial sector regulators which allows her to advise the board on current and proposed regulations and policies impacting the business. Her broad understanding of the business’ legal and regulatory framework also enables her to contribute on matters relating to regulatory compliance as well as other legal aspects.
Tapiwa Njikizana
BCompt (Hons); CTA, CA(SA); JSE Registered IFRS Advisor
Committees
Appointed 2019
Expertise and experience
Accounting, financial reporting and consultingTapiwa is an executive director at W.consulting SA (Pty) Limited. He previously served as a nonexecutive director on the board of Iliad Africa Limited and Mercantile Bank Holdings Limited.
He was recognised for his contribution to the consulting industry receiving the “Top Consulting Professional” at the Sanlam South African Professional Services Awards. Tapiwa held roles in leading industry bodies and committees including being a member of the Accounting Practice Committee of SAICA, and a member of the Financial Reporting Investigation Panel of the JSE.
Specific contribution to the board
Tapiwa is an experienced non-executive director with expertise in the financial services sector, including experience chairing audit and technology committees for other entities, as well as experience on the remuneration and nominations committees of Lewis Group.
Brendan Deegan
BCompt; CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2022
Expertise and experience
Accounting, finance, governance, assurance and riskBrendan is a former partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in South Africa. His roles at PwC included head of the South Africa and Africa audit/assurance practices, chairperson of the Africa governance board and head of the global internal audit practice. He was involved with and advised many large multinational companies over a number of years.
Specific contribution to the board
Brendan serves as a non-executive director of Lewis Group and Monarch Insurance Company Limited. He is an experienced accountant and former auditor with expertise in financial reporting, leadership and governance, and assurance and risk.
Hilton Saven
BCom (Hons); CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2004
Appointed as the chairperson in 2017
Expertise and experience
Corporate governance, strategy and finance.Hilton is an experienced company director and chartered accountant. He is the former chairman of Mazars South Africa, an international accounting firm, as well as the former chairman of Praxity Alliance, an international alliance of accounting firms.
Specific contribution to the board
Hilton’s extensive experience in corporate governance, strategy, accounting and finance supports the board in fulfilling its statutory obligations and financial oversight responsibilities. He performed these roles over a number of years for both listed and large private companies.
Key responsibilities
In addition to its statutory duties, the social, ethics and transformation committee assists the board in monitoring the sustainable and non-financial performance of the Group. The committee oversees that the Company’s values, strategy and conduct are those of a responsible and ethical corporate citizen.
The committee consists of three independent non-executive directors and one executive director. Meetings are also attended by the human resources director as well as the senior managers responsible for socio-economic development and finance.
Members
Prof. Fatima Abrahams
Chairperson
BEcon (Hons); MCom; DCom
Committees
Appointed 2005
Appointed as lead independent director in 2021
Expertise and experience
Human resources, remuneration and ESGGFatima is an academic, experienced company director and a registered industrial psychologist. She is an emeritus professor at the University of the Western Cape, having also served as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
Specific contribution to the board
Fatima has served as a non-executive director on the board of large listed companies, particularly in the retail sector. She built up extensive business experience over the years, particularly in the areas of remuneration, human capital and ESG, and has added substantial value to the board in these areas. She performed similar roles for other listed and unlisted entities over a number of years.
Daphne Motsepe
BCompt; MBA
Committees
Appointed 2017
Expertise and experience
Finance, banking, governance and leadershipDaphne was formerly the chief executive of card and unsecured lending at Absa Bank and also served as managing director of Postbank. She previously served as a non-executive director of Investec Bank, Highveld Steel and Vanadium, Edcon, Mercantile Bank, Woolworths Financial Services, Rand Mutual Assurance and Thebe Investment Corporation.
Specific contribution to the board
Daphne’s experience includes serving as chairperson of remuneration as well as social, ethics and transformation committees of other boards and serving as a member of the audit, risk and nominations/directors affairs committees.
Johan Enslin
Committees
Appointed to the board 2009
Expertise and experience
Operations, strategy and governanceJohan has 32 years’ credit furniture retail experience. He joined Lewis Group as a salesman in 1993 and rose rapidly through the ranks, holding positions including branch manager, regional controller, divisional general manager, general manager: operations and operations director of Lewis Stores. He was the chief operating officer responsible for the retail operations of the Group prior to his appointment as chief executive officer.
Specific contribution to the board
Johan is the chief executive officer and an executive director of the Group, and has a wealth of retail experience gained through all stages of the economic cycle.
Hilton Saven
BCom (Hons); CA(SA)
Committees
Appointed 2004
Appointed as the chairperson in 2017
Expertise and experience
Corporate governance, strategy and finance.Hilton is an experienced company director and chartered accountant. He is the former chairman of Mazars South Africa, an international accounting firm, as well as the former chairman of Praxity Alliance, an international alliance of accounting firms.
Specific contribution to the board
Hilton’s extensive experience in corporate governance, strategy, accounting and finance supports the board in fulfilling its statutory obligations and financial oversight responsibilities. He performed these roles over a number of years for both listed and large private companies.