Business

Growthpoint CEO and CFO Shake-Up 2026

Published

2 months ago

August 11, 2025

Chiraag

Growthpoint leadership change, Estienne de Klerk named CEO, José Snyders CFO appointment, Growthpoint executive succession, JSE REIT corporate transition, Joburg ETC

Growthpoint, the largest listed property investment trust on the JSE, has revealed its leadership roadmap. Estienne de Klerk will succeed as Group CEO on 1 July 2026, while José Snyders takes over as Group CFO starting 1 January 2026. In tandem with these changes, the distinct role of the South Africa CEO will be removed, signalling a tighter, group-level leadership structure. These appointments were confirmed by Growthpoint’s board on 11 August 2025.

A Deliberate Transition

Norbert Sasse remains in place as Group CEO until 30 June 2026, after which he’ll serve in an executive advisory capacity until 31 December 2026 to support de Klerk’s onboarding. On the financial front, Gerald Völkel will step down as Group Financial Director on 31 March 2026, overlapping with Snyders for three months. From 1 April 2026, Snyders will head financial operations in full.

Two Leaders, Shared Strength

Estienne de Klerk offers deep roots at Growthpoint. A Chartered Accountant and Harvard alumnus, he holds dual commerce degrees from the University of Johannesburg. Over 20 years at Growthpoint, de Klerk has overseen areas such as capital markets, mergers, operations, and transformation and has served industry bodies like the SA REIT Association.

José Snyders brings a fresh perspective after serving as CEO at Liberty Two Degrees. He holds advanced commerce qualifications in financial analysis and portfolio management. His 22 years of experience include roles in financial services, investment banking, and the listed real estate sector.

What This Means for Growthpoint

As South Africa’s foremost REIT, stability in leadership is a key signal to tenants, investors, and partners. Growthpoint’s board frames these changes as part of a strategic succession plan aimed at continuity, cultural preservation, and delivering long-term value across local and international assets.

Strategic Structure Shift

Eliminating the South Africa CEO position hints at a deliberate realignment, centralising governance while maintaining operational agility in various regions. This change suggests Growthpoint is positioning itself for more streamlined oversight and resilient execution across diverse portfolios.