Real Estate development and property law
CLAUDE LUBABALO VANQA
Accomplished Business Specialist In South Africa’s Oil, Energy & Retail Sectors, With Expertise In Retail Network Planning And Financial Modelling, Franchise, Contracts, Sales, Communications, Community Liaison, HR.
Kuils River, Cape Town
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience spanning retail, energy, human resources, and community engagement. Demonstrates strong capability in network planning, operational management, stakeholder relations, and investment strategy within Shell’s Downstream and Upstream businesses. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, driving business growth, optimizing retail networks, and supporting energy transition priorities including e-mobility. Recognised for delivering operational excellence, strengthening stakeholder partnerships, and enabling organisational performance through strategic planning, governance, and compliance.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Network Planner – Southern Region
Shell Downstream Africa (Pty) Ltd
10.2021 - 11.2025
- Develop and maintain the multi-year retail network master plan to support growth, competitiveness, and customer experience.
- Conduct market analysis, demographic insights, and data-driven assessments to inform strategic decisions.
- Lead capital expenditure (Capex) planning, forecasting, and alignment with annual operating plans.
- Drive Shell’s electric vehicle (EV) program by integrating e-mobility strategy into network design.
- Collaborate with real estate, engineering, marketing, and environmental teams, as well as external stakeholders, to optimise network value.
- Prepare and present investment proposals (GIPs), securing approvals for network developments.
- Analyse network performance to recommend optimisations, improve profitability, and manage strategic real estate projects.
- Lead post-investment review processes to embed continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with global network planning tools, data standards, and governance frameworks.
- Represent network planning in leadership forums and mentor junior planners.
- Demonstrate strong project management, commercial acumen, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Travel up to 25% for site assessments and stakeholder collaboration.
Territory Manager – Coastal South
Shell Downstream Africa (Pty) Ltd
05.2016 - 09.2021
- Contract management, Leadership and people skills, Driving profit, Commercial acumen, Negotiating skills, Indirect channel management (ideally in a retail environment), Customer Value Proposition (CVP) implementation, Partner Value Proposition (PVP) implementation, Performance management, Collaboration
- Commercial acumen and the ability to translate data into clear insights, being able to conduct in-depth commercial discussions with a Retailer using data and insights to gain commitment for action
- Performance driven, you need to be driven to succeed. Your ability to take direction and translate that into commercial discussions with the Retailer/Dealer, is essential
- Relationship management and people skills, these will allow you deliver success through others
- Ability to effectively manage priorities, in any given period you will be involved in many activities and the ability to prioritise and deliver is key
- Channel management, the relationship with the end customer is conducted through the Retailer/Dealer so an understanding of the legal framework is vital
- Strong negotiating skills, ensuring that negotiations are strong and fair & that the outcome delivers bottom line results for Shell
- Coaching experience, the ability to coach the Retailer/Dealer to deliver the mutual business plan and drive for growth
- Performance and contract management skills, recognising good performance and addressing any gaps in performance swiftly to ensure delivery of goals is completed, using the contract to remind both parties of the commitments
- Stakeholder management skills, manage a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
Community Liaison Officer – Karoo & Orange Basins
Shell South Africa Upstream B.V.
11.2011 - 04.2016
- Led stakeholder engagement and community relations, managing local sensitivities and maintaining a positive social licence to operate.
- Conducted asset mapping, community profiling, and impact assessments to inform operational planning.
- Coordinated community development initiatives, regional training programs, and local business support.
- Managed HSE capacity-building interventions and mitigated issues relating to crises, community concerns, and media relations.
- Built strong relationships with government officials, NGOs, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders.
HR Advisor – Retail South
Shell South Africa Marketing (Pty) Ltd
10.2009 - 10.2011
- Provided HR advisory support to the retail organisation, including recruitment, onboarding, ER/IR guidance, and performance management.
- Ensured accurate HR administration, records management, and compliance reporting.
- Supported managers and HRAMs in delivering key HR processes such as IPRs, Shell People Surveys, and organisational change initiatives.
Human Resources Support – Downstream 1: SAP Implementation Project
Shell South Africa Marketing (Pty) Ltd
04.2008 - 08.2009
- Served as the primary HR representative for the SAP project team.
- Translated HR business requirements into SAP functional specifications and ensured alignment with HR policies and labour legislation.
- Participated in solution design workshops, testing cycles, and validation sessions.
- Defined HR data governance standards and managed data cleaning, migration, and reconciliation.
- Prepared and executed test scripts for HR modules and validated end-to-end system functionality.
- Supported change readiness initiatives, cutover activities, and post–go-live user support.
HR Business Consultant Support
Shell South Africa Energy (Pty) Ltd
06.2005 - 03.2008
- Managed full recruitment cycles, including advertising, screening, interviewing, and contracting.
- Provided support in IR/ER matters, performance management, HR administration, and cluster-wide HR initiatives.
- Facilitated induction programs for new hires across Southern Africa.
HR Admin / Officer
Clicks South Africa – Distribution Centre
04.2003 - 06.2005
- Implemented organisational design, recruitment, performance management, and employment equity processes.
- Compiled HR reports and supported training, change management, absenteeism management, and employee wellbeing programs.
- Earlier roles at Clicks and Shoprite included operational and administrative responsibilities.
Education
Bachelor of Public Administration (Honours) -
University of Stellenbosch
Cape Town, South Africa12-2026
Property Development And Investment
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa 04.2001 -
National Diploma - Human Resources Management (N4–N6)
East London College
01-1998
Senior Secondary School - undefined
Mandlenkosi Senior Secondary School
01-1996
Skills
Retail economics and RAS model expertise
Network planning strategy
Stakeholder engagement and community relations
Operational excellence and site performance optimisation
Franchise management and customer retention
Negotiation, influencing, and communication skills
HR advisory, performance management, ER/IR support
Commercial acumen and financial analysis
Advanced MS Office proficiency
Relationship building and brand stewardship
Problem-solving and analytical capability
Accomplishments
Property development and Investment Course at UCT
Interests
Timeline
Network Planner – Southern Region
Shell Downstream Africa (Pty) Ltd
10.2021 - 11.2025
Territory Manager – Coastal South
Shell Downstream Africa (Pty) Ltd
05.2016 - 09.2021
Community Liaison Officer – Karoo & Orange Basins
Shell South Africa Upstream B.V.
11.2011 - 04.2016
HR Advisor – Retail South
Shell South Africa Marketing (Pty) Ltd
10.2009 - 10.2011
Human Resources Support – Downstream 1: SAP Implementation Project
Shell South Africa Marketing (Pty) Ltd
04.2008 - 08.2009
HR Business Consultant Support
Shell South Africa Energy (Pty) Ltd
06.2005 - 03.2008
HR Admin / Officer
Clicks South Africa – Distribution Centre
04.2003 - 06.2005
Property Development And Investment
University of Cape Town
04.2001 -
National Diploma - Human Resources Management (N4–N6)
East London College
Senior Secondary School - undefined
Mandlenkosi Senior Secondary School
Bachelor of Public Administration (Honours) -
University of Stellenbosch
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
PMTRD Territory Manager of the Year – 3rd Place (2017), HSSE Retailer Award – 3rd Place (2017), Customer Award for Recruitment Support (2006), Shell Downstream South Africa Country Chair Award – LAT Behaviours & Departmental Excellence, Milestone Recognition Award – Downstream One Project (SA Go-Live)
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
- Social Performance in the Community – Consensus Building Institute & Harvard Law School (Ireland)
- IAP2 Training – Emotions, Outrage & Public Participation
- Media Training & Pilgrim HEAT Aware Course – Chengdu, China
- Critical Negotiation Skills – Commerce Edge
- DYNA First-Line Management Programme
- Business Skills Diploma & Targeted Selection Facilitator Training
- Remuneration Survey Methodology
- Management Development Programme