RMI introducing new Co-CEO structure in the wake of Olivier’s retirement

Jakkie Olivier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), is stepping down this month after serving the industry for 30 years and holding the position of CEO for the past decade.Jeanne Esterhuizen, President of the RMI, says Olivier will continue as a non-executive director on the RMI Board. She applauded Olivier for his enormous contribution to both the RMI and the industry at large. “He is leaving the RMI in a strong, powerful position, perfectly poised to once again tilt and evolve with the dynamic market changes. I am excited to announce that the RMI Board will implement an innovative Co-CEO leadership structure for a fixed period starting in 2024. We believe this structure holds the key to ensuring the success and stability of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation,” says Esterhuizen.

The two newly established executive positions will hold equal stature and accountability.

Effective 1 January 2024, Ipeleng Mabusela, will take up the role of CEO: Strategy and Corporate Support, and Jan Schoeman will take up the role of CEO: Operations & Regulatory Compliance.

Mabusela, who holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of the Witwatersrand, has over 10 years’ experience in strategy, operations and new business development. Most recently, he was the Head of Operations and Strategy at the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF), a fund that supports the transformation of the automotive industry in South Africa. He is a strategic thinker with excellent communication, leadership, operational, investment and negotiation skills. He is passionate about creating impact and solving challenges in the automotive industry.

Mabusela will work closely with Jan Schoeman, CEO: Operations and Regulatory Compliance. Schoeman has a remarkable 25-year journey of dedicated service and unparalleled expertise within the RMI and currently holds the position of Chief Operations Officer. Schoeman holds a graduate qualification from Stellenbosch University in industrial psychology and public administration, a postgraduate qualification in labour law and labour economics from the former Rand Afrikaans University (which became the University of Johannesburg), and macroeconomics at the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin. He is a skilled negotiator and operations specialist. We are confident that this pioneering approach will yield long-term benefits for the RMI,” Esterhuizen concludes.