Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Cornelius Erasmus

M&A And Corporate Finance
Sandton

Summary

Dynamic M&A leader with a proven track record at Sasol, adept at driving strategic transactions and managing expert teams. Skilled in commercial negotiation and asset valuation, successfully achieving divestments exceeding US$3.5 billion. Recognized for shaping business strategy and fostering stakeholder relationships to enhance decision-making and project outcomes.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Head M&A

Sasol
03.2018 - Current
  • Ensure strategic alignment of targeted M&A projects with Sasol Group long-term strategy
  • Management of an expert team towards project and strategic objectives
  • Accountable for commercial, transactional, and negotiation activities in the development of Corporate Transaction projects, ensuring all contractual commitments associated with the relevant ventures/projects are structured and governed by sound commercial and legal principles/practices
  • Delivery of highly complex and successful M&A and JV and other commercial transactions
  • Strong alignment with legal dimensions of commercial agreements and lead negotiations with counter parties
  • Plan and manage the execution of commercial transactions, including due diligence and contract negotiations
  • Supporting the efforts of the Development Managers and other relevant stakeholders in commercial transactions
  • Direct Reports: 4 – 6 people at transaction specialists and project leads
  • Indirect Reports: 10 – 20 multi-functional support teams
  • Key Projects: Participation in various South African acquisition processes, Business Development M&A support – Joint Venture and shareholder equity participation, Sasol Air Separation Units divestment to Air Liquid – Transaction Lead, Finance lead on divestment of Sasol USA Base chemical business in Lake Charles, Sasol Huntsman Germany divestment – Transaction Lead, M&A team oversight: Achieved divestments >US$3.5 billion during 2020-2022, Project Khanyisa - Disposal of a minority share in Sasol South Africa Ltd to BEE shareholding group (finalization)

Corporate Transactions Lead

Sasol
04.2015 - 02.2018
  • Identify key strategic imperatives in achieving M&A transactions
  • Lead and project manage commercial transactions and negotiation activities in the development of Corporate Transaction projects
  • Plan and manage the execution of commercial transactions, including due diligence and contract negotiations
  • Ensure all contractual commitments associated with the relevant ventures and projects entered into by Sasol are structured and governed by sound commercial and legal principles
  • Deliver highly complex and successful M&A, JV, and other commercial transactions
  • Supporting the efforts of the Development Managers and other relevant stakeholders in commercial transactions
  • Strong alignment with legal dimensions of commercial transactions by ensuring identified risks are sufficiently addressed in the commercial construct
  • Lead a structured due diligence process and contribute to efficient decision-making process on M&A transactions
  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to ensure open lines of communication to identify and effectively resolve issues
  • Support the coordination and management of internal and external advisors with respect to commercial transactions
  • Direct Reports: 4 - 6 people
  • Key Projects: Project Khanyisa - Disposal in Sasol South Africa to BEE shareholding grouping, BEE supply chain structuring, Upstream disposal process (Gabon & Mozambique), Sasol Technology Restructuring, Review of various chemical business disposals

Senior Manager: Corporate Finance

Sasol
08.2012 - 03.2015
  • Provide objective, focused, and practical expert advice and solutions, with the input of local and international advisors, on new local and offshore business transactions
  • Financial evaluation related to the group impact on gearing and funding, tax, accounting, company secretarial impact of business transactions
  • Preparation of valuations, risk analysis, and recommendations on potential M&A transactions in the group
  • Group WACC and capital allocation analysis
  • Preparation of inter-group capitalization and dividend distribution proposals
  • Impairment model preparation and review
  • Management of group legal structure to ensure optimal structuring of existing and new business
  • Key Projects: Group Legal Restructuring: European Restructuring, Group Legal Restructuring: US Restructuring, Spring Lights Gas Disposal (Valuation & Negotiations and Stakeholder management), Solvents Germany Disposal (Valuation & Negotiations and Business Strategy evaluation), Sasol Huntsman Strategic evaluation (Valuation & Strategic evaluation)

Financial Manager

Sasol Solvents Germany GmbH
04.2010 - 07.2012
  • Responsible for accounting, treasury, and tax services rendered by Sasol Solvents companies in Germany (incl
  • Solvents Germany, Sasol Huntsman, Sasol Chemie GmbH)
  • Quarterly reporting to Solvents Board and Audit Committee
  • Consolidation and preparation of Sasol German Holdings Group of companies consolidated Annual Financial Statements
  • Advise Solvents management on strategic focus areas for Solvents Germany entities
  • Team management and coaching of employees
  • Direct Reports: 3 people (15 Indirect)

Manager: Financial Services | Chief Accountant | Senior Accountant

Sasol
07.2003 - 03.2010
  • Planning and coordinating all Sasol Group Management Reporting, including month-end reporting, annual budget, and strategic conference
  • Analyzing and reviewing group results and highlighting risk areas to the GEC
  • Managing group management reporting tools incl
  • HFM, TM1 etc
  • Participation on Group APC
  • Leading streams on Group Management Reporting projects, including Project Blue Print and Project Functional Excellence
  • Direct Reports: 2-5 people

Denel Aviation
01.2002 - 06.2003
  • Responsible for completion and submission of all BU Reporting to head office including month-end reporting and budgets
  • Analysis of company operational and financial performance
  • Responsible for completion and submission of financial analysis for tenders and capital projects
  • Responsible for submission of year-end pack to auditors and head office

Article Clerk

PriceWaterhouseCoopers
01.1999 - 12.2001

Education

Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting And Finance

University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
04.2001 -

SAICA

Skills

  • Management of an expert team towards project and strategic objectives

  • Shaping business strategy through informed commercial advice to group executives

  • Business Strategy Expertise

  • Commercial Negotiation Expertise

  • Experienced in dealing and liaising with external stakeholders

  • Strategic Evaluation of Transactional Risks

  • Asset Valuation Expertise

  • Strong ability to lead a team toward a common goal by ensuring a strong sense of accountability in the team

V

Timeline

Head M&A

Sasol
03.2018 - Current

Corporate Transactions Lead

Sasol
04.2015 - 02.2018

Senior Manager: Corporate Finance

Sasol
08.2012 - 03.2015

Financial Manager

Sasol Solvents Germany GmbH
04.2010 - 07.2012

Manager: Financial Services | Chief Accountant | Senior Accountant

Sasol
07.2003 - 03.2010

Denel Aviation
01.2002 - 06.2003

Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting And Finance

University of Pretoria
04.2001 -

Article Clerk

PriceWaterhouseCoopers
01.1999 - 12.2001

SAICA

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