Celebrating Sustainable Corporate Achievements

The Corporate Awards 2024, set to take place on November 29 in the vibrant rainbow nation, South Africa, promises to be a remarkable celebration of innovation, leadership, and excellence in people across various sectors. With an esteemed board members steering the event, this year’s awards will not only recognise outstanding achievements but also highlight the importance of investing in people, our most valuable assets and sustainability in business practices.

The Corporate Awards’ success can be attributed to its distinguished board members, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the table:

If you'd like to nominate a company or an extraordinary leader making a difference, here is a link to do so now

Meet the Visionary Board Members

Romein Van Staden: Board President, The Corporate Awards

Romein is a dynamic sustainability specialist with a strong track record in environmental health, safety, business development, and community relations. Known for his adaptability and exceptional communication skills, he has a deep passion for environmental and social justice.

Throughout his career, Romein has held senior roles at leading organisations such as OptiPower Project (Pty) Ltd., Ramagale Holdings, JCDecaux (SA), and Piron Global Development (Germany). He is also a widely published author, contributing several articles and scholarly papers to the field.

Romein holds an MBA from the University of Applied Science – Bonn Rhein Sieg (Germany) and an MA from the University of Bonn. He also has a Baccalaureus Technologiae and National Diploma in Environmental Health from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, along with a Graduate Diploma in Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand. He has completed executive leadership courses at Wits Business School and the University of Cape Town and is a registered Professional Construction Health & Safety Agent (Pr. CHSA) with the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP).

In recognition of his expertise, he was part of a team awarded the international “Stockholm Partnerships for Sustainable Cities” by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) after completing training programs in Sweden and East Africa.

Romein was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Corporate Awards in 2022, where he continues to bring his wealth of sustainability knowledge and business skills to the organization. An avid traveler who has explored 29 countries, Romein is also a dedicated runner, having completed 32 marathons and 5 ultra-marathons.

Jacquie Patcha

Jacquie Patcha is a seasoned Supply Chain Expert with over 30 years of dynamic experience in the supply chain and finance sectors, with a strong focus on the oil and gas industry. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held key leadership roles at renowned companies like Shell and Addax Petroleum, where she built a reputation for driving operational excellence and spearheading transformative change.

One of Jacquie’s standout achievements came during her tenure at Addax Petroleum, where she led a team to achieve record-breaking year-end inventory results, slashing discrepancies by an impressive 90%. Her keen decision-making skills and ability to navigate complex challenges propelled organizational growth and sustainability, setting new benchmarks for success.

Beyond her leadership roles, Jacquie has always been a dedicated mentor, empowering numerous professionals to reach their full potential. With her solid background in accounting and finance, she not only enhanced supply chain efficiencies but also cultivated strong vendor partnerships, excelling in negotiation and collaboration.

Jacquie’s passion extends beyond corporate success; she is deeply committed to social impact. As a driving force behind the Michael and Mauritia Patcha Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on cancer healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa, Jacquie has played a pivotal role in transforming lives. Under her leadership, the foundation has directly reached over 27,000 individuals and provided millions of dollars in equipment and medication to improve healthcare access across the region.

Even in retirement, Jacquie remains a highly sought-after expert, sharing her wealth of knowledge on management and advisory boards. Her vast experience continues to shape strategic initiatives across industries, offering invaluable insights.

Excellency Dr. Elias Pungong

Excellency Dr. Elias Pungong is a renowned international statesman and strategist with a distinguished educational background from Oxford, Harvard, and Yale. His expertise spans the African energy and mining sectors, where he has guided major international clients and governments in developing, financing, and operating large-scale projects across Europe, Latin America, and Africa.

Dr. Pungong recently earned his Doctorate in Business Administration in Renewable Energy Policy from the French Grande École (IPA) in Cameroon. His focus now is on leading Africa towards a 21st-century technological and economic transformation. He brings deep insights into project finance, mining, energy, utilities, and telecommunications, and remains committed to youth leadership, corporate social responsibility, and public-private partnerships.

In July 2017, he was appointed as the United Kingdom's Honorary Consul in Douala, Cameroon, by President Paul Biya. Dr. Pungong is also the Chairman of the UK-Cameroon Chamber of Commerce and has a significant presence in the Oil & Gas, Energy, and Mining sectors, with interests in emerging technologies like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper.

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Pungong has held senior roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young and has developed policies for 19 Sub-Saharan African countries. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and one of Africa’s 50 Most Influential Thought Leaders, he is a respected commentator on Africa’s energy sectors, regularly featured on CNBC Africa, RFI, and JeuneAfrique.

Dr. Pungong’s expertise also extends to shaping best practices for prestigious initiatives, such as the Corporate Awards, where his guidance on setting standards, procedures, and criteria ensures the recognition of excellence in corporate leadership and governance.

Emmanuel Delvaux

Emmanuel is the Founder of Phoenix Becom and a marketing maestro known for his innovative approach and strategic insight. With a career that spans multiple industries, Emmanuel has consistently demonstrated a talent for driving growth and excellence in corporate marketing strategies. His expertise was honed through significant leadership roles at SLB (Schlumberger), where he played a critical part in shaping high-impact marketing initiatives and fostering client relationships on a global scale.

At SLB, Emmanuel gained extensive experience in navigating complex markets, implementing strategic campaigns, and promoting technology-driven solutions that enhanced the company's brand positioning.

Terrence Wendell Brathwaite

Is a distinguished Chartered Fellow Manager and Marketer (FCMI, FCIM, FRSA), has a rich career in academia and international consultancy. As the Founding Coordinator of the UWI Faculty of Law’s Baron Constantine Educational Series, Terry has championed educational initiatives since 2018. He was a tenured Senior Lecturer in EU Law and Legal Marketing and Director of Postgraduate Studies at Coventry University, where he served for 24 years.

Terry’s expertise extends to global consultancy, being the European Union’s first Black ATLAS Expert and Adviser to the Russian Government on a €1.5 million TEMPUS/EU Project (2012-2015). He pioneered career workshops and law colloquiums at Coventry and collaborated with universities and institutions worldwide, including Harvard, IDLO, and the United Nations. Recognised for his leadership, he earned the Cecil Angel Cup for Academic Excellence and a Special Recognition Individual Trophy at the FABAFRIQ Corporate Awards (2016). His work in education and mentoring, notably in international law and global development, continues to inspire and develop future leaders.

Serigne Mboup

Serigne is the Co-Founder of CEL Senegal and Chairman of the Board of Directors, with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, spanning both upstream and downstream operations. His expertise in structuring, financing, and managing large-scale projects is complemented by notable roles in Senegal’s public administration, including leadership positions at PETROSEN, SAR, and ARTP.

With extensive knowledge in Public-Private Partnerships and a vast network across five continents, Serigne brings strategic insight and international reach. An IT Systems Engineer with an Executive MBA from UQAM and additional qualifications from the French IFP School and Falconbury Institute in London, Serigne's academic background enhances his leadership capabilities. He also served as President of the Association of African Refiners and Distributors (ARDA) for 2020–2021.

Paul Ako Takor

An accomplished Human Resources Executive with extensive expertise in HR management, strategic leadership, and business partnering. With over 20 years of experience spanning benefits administration, compensation structuring, recruitment, and change management, Paul has held key roles such as Head of HR at Tropo Farms Ltd. Ghana and Regional HR Manager at SOLEVO Group and Louis Dreyfus Company.

His career began in the oil sector, where he gained valuable experience as an HR Analyst at ADDAX Petroleum Cameroon Company and later as HR and Communications Officer at Wärtsilä Central Africa. Known for his proactive and innovative approach, Paul excels in cross-cultural management, driving employee development and organisational effectiveness in diverse business settings. His leadership has consistently aligned HR strategies with business goals, fostering growth and operational excellence.

Joel-Eric Missainhoun
Joël-Eric is an Associate Partner at AfricSearch, joining in 2003 after a career as a Corporate Lawyer in Business Law and Taxation at Ernst & Young (Paris). With a CAPA from the Paris Bar School and a DESS in Banking and Financial Law from the University of Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne), he has been instrumental in building AfricSearch’s extensive network and database across Africa and its diaspora.

He is actively involved in organisations focused on capacity building, human resources, and entrepreneurship in Africa (www.africa2point0.org, www.resexcell.org). Joël-Eric also contributes to corporate governance as a member of several decision-making bodies, including Supervisory Boards and HR Committees. He serves as Community Liaison for Africa with the World Design Organization, fostering innovation and collaboration on the continent.

His strategic leadership and expertise make him a strong candidate for corporate board positions, with a proven track record of driving growth and cross-continental partnerships.

Mrs. Lety Eposi Endeley

Mrs. Lety Eposi Endeley is the Central Director Non-life for International Markets at CICA RE in Lomé, Togo, where she leads the company’s strategy across Anglophone Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Lety has a proven track record in managing teams in both French and English-speaking environments, excelling in insurance, claims, technical operations, and reinsurance.

Lety spent ten years in direct insurance before transitioning to underwriting, where she rose to Chief Underwriter and later Manager for Anglophone Africa at CICA RE. Before rejoining CICA RE in 2020, she was Regional Director for Continental Re in Cameroon and Managing Director for the CIMA Markets between 2012 and 2019.

Lety is an active advocate for women in leadership, serving as a member of the Federation of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) Cameroon, a Board Member for the Corporate Awards, and she also holds leadership roles with the Africa Insurance Women Organisation (AIWA), where she connects African women in insurance to drive greater impact.

Julian Tabi Ebai
Julian Tabi Ebai is the Managing Director of JETPLAY Consulting, bringing over 25 years of expertise in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), business consultancy, and cloud technology applications. He leads the firm in advising public and private sector clients across the UK, Europe, and Africa on business reengineering and the implementation of ERP systems like SAP, PeopleSoft, and Oracle, as well as cloud solutions such as SuccessFactors and Workday.

Julian’s strategic focus extends to fostering growth in Africa’s IT sector, particularly in cloud technology, by connecting European and Middle Eastern investors with commercial opportunities in Central and West Africa. He has built strong relationships with organisations like the Central Bank of Nigeria, the World Health Organisation, and Oracle Africa, among others.

With a background in law and economics (LLM in International Commercial and Trade Law, University of Sheffield, and BSc in Economics/Accountancy), Julian’s leadership in business transformation, ICT implementation, and investment attraction makes him an invaluable asset to corporate boards.

Abah Ofon
Mr. Abah Ofon is Senior Manager, Export Development Advisory, at the African Export-Import Bank, a pan-African multilateral trade finance institution headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. Mr. Ofon has over 25 years’ macroeconomic, commodities, trade and research experience in financial markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Prior to joining Afreximbank, he was lead analyst at the London firm Agribriefing, head of agri-commodity research and Africa economist for Standard Chartered Bank’s global franchise based in London, Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia. He has provided advisory services on commodity market value chains to some of the largest agribusiness names and institutional clients including hedge funds and central banks.

A recognised thought leader in financial markets, Abah has been sought by high-level stakeholders, including the UK Parliament Select Committee, and was profiled by the Financial Times during the 2009 commodity crisis. His strategic focus now includes sovereign and quasi-sovereign advisory, collaborating with organisations like the WTO, UN, and the African Union to support Africa's economic development. Abah is a licensed Financial Advisor by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and an alumnus of the London School of Economics.

Nathalie Ebelle Kotto
Nathalie Ebelle Kotto is the Managing Director of Akili, a Pan-African consulting firm specializing in business transformation through innovative approaches. Under her leadership, Akili assists clients in evaluating their business models, crafting transformation strategies, and implementing innovative solutions with a focus on change management.

Akili is dedicated to advancing financial inclusion and building sustainable futures by introducing cutting-edge digital financial solutions and products.

Nathalie is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record across various industries. She is passionate about enhancing organizational performance and driving business transformation to create a sustainable future

Olanrewaju Odubayo
Olanrewaju Odubayo is a highly skilled Business Analyst with over five years of experience in crafting data-driven solutions across diverse industries. Specializing in statistical analysis, business intelligence, and project management, Olanrewaju is known for his ability to translate complex data into actionable insights that drive organizational success.

His expertise extends to collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to identify business needs, define clear requirements, and implement solutions that enhance operational efficiency and performance. Olanrewaju’s proficiency in agile methodologies, supported by his certification as a Scaled Agile Scrum Master, enables him to manage projects with agility and precision.

Passionate about leveraging data to solve real-world challenges, Olanrewaju is dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation. He is currently seeking a dynamic and rewarding opportunity where he can apply his analytical skills and strategic vision to make a meaningful impact on your organization’s growth and success.

Adeline Sede Kamga

As the Corporate Awards 2024 approaches, it stands as a testament to the dedication of its board members. This year’s event will shine a spotlight on those who have immensely invested in corporate sustainability. So mark your calendars for November 29 and if you haven't sent in your nominations yet, this is just the perfect time to do so. All you have to do is fill and submit the google form below. Join us in honoring the remarkable sustainable corporate achievements and impactful contributions of businesses and individuals who are shaping the future of corporate responsibility and excellence.