Marco Wenk

Company Overview:

Hartlief Corporation Ltd (Hartlief), a subsidiary of the O&L Group, is a multifaceted meat manufacturing company, established in 1946, specializing in the supply of both fresh as well as value-enhanced / processed meat products, from farm to fork. The company which employs a team of close to 450 employees, has a market share which exceeds 85% within the processed meats category in Namibia, and supplies the retail, wholesale, food service and hospitality trade locally while also exporting processed meat products to several Southern African countries, in particular South Africa and Botswana. Hartlief also owns and operates the following:

• Farmers Meat Market (FMM) Abattoir in Mariental, Namibia (which currently has a 400t quota in place with Norway), the only export certified lamb abattoir in Namibia;
• Hartlief South Africa, a Cape Town based depot which supplies (via Namibia) processed products to retailers, predominantly with Cape Town;
• Four Hartlief Deli / Meat Retail outlets of which two are in Namibia and the other two are located in Cape Town, South Africa.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the entire meat processing (over 300 processed products), fresh meat, abattoir and retail operations with the focus being on improving overall business performance and implementing a business stabilization and turnaround strategy;
• Selecting and mentored high performing senior leadership team members;
• Establishing annual and monthly production, sales and profit targets while monitoring operations to ensure same aligns with such targets;
• Building a culture of cost consciousness with a focus on reducing production and overhead expenditure;
• Spearheading rigorous and improved quality and hygiene controls as well as production standards and standard operating procedures (SOP's);
• Securing sufficient raw materials (pork, beef and lamb) for both processed as well as fresh meat production;
• Ensuring adherence to all health and safety regulations and food safety standards, while maintaining all necessary and relevant certifications (HACCP and FSA for HL factory and FSSC 22000 for FMM);
• Effectively reducing product trade returns, write-offs and reworks;
• Develop and implement a robust sales strategy that allows Hartlief to compete with cheaper and lower quality imports from specifically South Africa;
• Focusing on product innovation to counter competitor products (specifically in terms of product sizes/weights and price);
• Increasing overall product margins to improve business profitability;
• Securing lamb off-take in overseas markets, including Europe (specifically Scandinavia), Africa/Southern Africa while exploring new markets for future off-take opportunities;
• Maintaining and growing our Hartlief South Africa business operation;
• Implementing an improved Route-to-Market strategy (both primary and secondary) for our cold chain products that ensures we remain available at the highest quality at all times throughout Namibia;
• Implementing a marketing strategy that revived brand loyalty and identity and drives overall in-trade execution and visibility to improve demand for our various brands and products;
• Establishing a company wide innovation hub, fostering a culture of sharing ideas and opportunities for growth and improvement;
• Recruiting industry know-how, in specific meat and engineering specialists, to support with overall quality, variety (fresh meat) and production output strategies;
• Maintaining the production plants aging equipment to ensure reduced downtime and disruption to production output targets;
• Recommending a capital investment strategy to phase out old and redundant equipment;
• Developing and implementing a risk management framework while mitigating potential business and operational risks to limit unnecessary production downtime.

Significant Achievements as Managing Director of Hartlief Corporation Ltd:

• Grew and stabilized overall sales volumes while reclaiming 80% of volumes / share lost to SA based competitors who entered the Namibian processed meats category during the first half of 2024;
• Maintaining a 90%+ market share in Key Account customers;
• Improved EBIT performance 2023/24 compared to 2024/25 with 40%;
• Implemented a robust sales, procurement and production forecasting model which allowed for in time procurement and other materials as well as a accurate weekly production planning schedule, significantly reducing both raw-and-packaging material out of stock risks as well as overproduction of products which reduced by 75%;
• Reinstated Hartlief's Fresh Meat department to diversify Hartlief's product offering, while successfully securing several high-end fresh meat customers, growing our fresh meat sales with over 30%;
• Successfully reduced raw material spend with almost 10% while maintaining and/or reducing production overheads as well as general operational expenditure through an active focus on cost cutting initiatives;
• Grown production volume output with over 20% while actively managing and mitigating production risks associated with aging equipment;
• Aligned on the integration of both sales and logistics/distribution between Hartlief and Namibia Dairies (go live date being 1 July 2025), which initiative is earmarked to further reduce overheads through streamlining and optimizing operations, while improving product reach through Namibia Dairies' wider distribution footprint. This opportunity is estimated to further improve the EBIT performance of the Hartlief business by 20%;
• Significantly improved hygiene and quality standards throughout our production environment reducing stock write off's and overall reworks with more than 60%;
• Implemented SAP for sales, distribution as well as procurement functions, allowing the business to base key strategic decisions on a data driven approach;
• Successfully recommenced Norwegian lamb off-take for FMM while establishing strong demand from the USA, Europe and China;
• Successfully revamped our Gardens Deli in Cape Town South Africa, improving turnover with 20%;
• Growing the Trust Index of our Hartlief team, measured by the global entity Great Place to Work (GPTW), with almost 10% to 61% in 2025.

Company Overview:

Established in 1920, NBL was the largest listed company on the Namibian Stock Exchange during my tenure at NBL, and up to my exit during April 2023 (market cap of approx. N$ 9.5 billion – March 2023). NBL is the leading beverage manufacturer in Namibia with a Namibian beer segment market share of 82% by 2023 (2019: 75%). NBL predominately manufactures its renowned alcoholic beers (Windhoek-and-Tafel Lager), however its brand portfolio further includes low-and-non-alcoholic beers as well as a softs/mixers and water (since 2023, this expanded to include ciders, wines and spirits). NBL's entrenched value system and focus on innovation, and the production of high-quality beverages for both the Namibian and export markets, has allowed it to maintain a leading position in the Namibian beverage sector. Prior to the merger with Heineken International in Q2 of 2023, NBL also held a 25% stake in Heineken South Africa (HNK SA), with NBL having representation on the board of HNK SA and thus actively participated in the growth and success of the HNK SA business and expansion of NBL's brands in South Africa. Its nation-wide distribution network allows it to drive product into all regions of Namibia as well as beyond, having distributed its products to over 15 countries.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing purposeful leadership, mentoring and support to NBL's executive team and approximately 900 employees (800 FTE's);
• Developed, recommended and implemented Board approved strategic, financial and operational targets;
• Guiding the business in terms of its short, medium and long-term strategic growth goals and as approved by its Board of Directors;
• Building a successful business and people culture which is focused on performance, optimization and efficiency;
• Manufacturing the highest quality, world class beverages for both local and export markets in the most cost-effective manner;
• Executing a sales and distribution strategy which ensures products are available at every occasion;
• Driving a strong channel, pricing and customer relationship strategy;
• Executing robust marketing strategies for our relevant brands which build both brand identity and adoption;
• Analysing trends and ensuring continuous product innovation (new-to-world products as well as maintaining the relevance of existing products) to remain ahead of ever-changing trends and consumer landscapes;
• Capitalizing on market share growth opportunities through availability, price and superior quality;
• Managing supply chain risks to ensure continued availability of raw materials for production;
• Assessing business risks through an established framework and ensuring all relevant mitigations are put in place to safeguard the companies' operations;
• Keeping the organization in compliance with all relevant regulations and standards, incl. all listing and corporate governance requirements;
• Tracking organizational performance and monitoring operations to ensure alignment with agreed targets;
• Driving operational cost efficiencies without sacrificing on product quality;
• Ensuring a sustainable production environment (water, power, people) focusing on reducing the environmental impact while allowing for continuous operations;
• Supporting NBL's digital transformation journey (B2B);
• Cultivating and strengthening relationships with key NBL stakeholders while engaging and being the public face of the organization;
• Steering the alcohol industry's sustainability agenda in Namibia with a key focus on avoiding over-regulation while ensuring responsible behaviour for all industry players;
• Guiding and supporting the NBL team through both COVID as well as the Heineken/Distell merger transaction.

Significant Achievements as Managing Director of Namibia Breweries Ltd:

• Successfully guided NBL through the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the health and safety of its people come first while managing and mitigating the impact that the pandemic had on both our industry and business;
• Nominated as the Self-Regulating Alcohol Industry Forum Namibia (SAIF) Chairperson in 2020 until 2022;
• Successfully guiding (as SAIF Chairperson) the Namibian alcohol industry through the COVID pandemic, focusing on active stakeholder engagements, allowing the industry to avoid the risk of significant alcohol bans in Namibia;
• Maintained a high performing business environment while guiding the NBL team through both COVID as well as the NBL/Distell/Heineken merger transaction;
• Launching Windhoek Non-Alcoholic in 2020 to counter loss of volumes due to COVID related alcohol bans;
• Representing and leading NBL to secure all relevant approvals for the Heineken/Distell merger transaction, by engaging shareholders, the Namibian Competition Commission and other vital stakeholders during this process;
• Achieving the highest ever (pre-Heineken merger) Operating Profit for NBL during our financial year ending June 2022, with a revenue growth of 14%;
• Growing NBL's market share within the beer category to over 80%;
• Growing the employee Trust Index, measured by the global entity Great Place to Work (GPTW), to 70% while over 80% of our workforce believed that NBL is great place to work for.

Company Overview :

Property Development Company

Key Responsibilities:

• Representing shareholder interests in a Mixed-Use Development during and after the development phase;
• Ensuring that 164 residential units were sold, and the retail component of the development was let on or just after completion;
• Supporting and advising on post development matters, including the rounding-off of negotiations with the Main Contractor;
• Ensuring that the on-site operational requirements were met;
• Attending ad-hoc Trustee and annual Board Meetings;
• Providing strategic support and direction at Board level.

Company Overview:

Project Management Services Company

Key Responsibilities:

• Mentoring and supporting SIP Namibia's Managing Director;
• Supporting with strategic planning and growth opportunities for the business;
• Supporting with the sourcing of new projects and other business opportunities;
• Maintaining shareholder relationships with SIP South Africa.

Company Overview:

Established in 2003, Broll Namibia is the leading Commercial Property Services company in Namibia offering a wide range of services, which include asset management, commercial broking, facilities management, property and project management, retail leasing and consulting and shopping centre management. Broll Namibia is a joint venture between Broll Property Group South Africa and the O&L Group.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establishing and executing on the key strategic focus areas of the company and as approved annually by the Board of Directors;
• Setting and adhering to agreed financial targets;
• Ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures;
• Developing successful strategies for growing Broll Namibia's market share and service lines;
• Conducting regular performance reviews to ensure the company is meeting its short, medium- and long-term objectives;
• Monitoring operations and supporting and guiding the companies' Senior Leadership Team with the day-to-day operational management of Broll Namibia as well as all properties under its management;
• Mentoring team members while setting departmental as well as individual breakthrough performance goals and objectives;
• Growing each clients' property portfolio under Broll Namibia's management by focusing on tenant retention, a high-quality tenant mix, lease management, growing foot traffic, implementing risk management and mitigation frameworks, preventative maintenance, sound utilities management, operating cost optimization and overall strategic planning and expansion / developments;
• Maintaining positive employee relationships through continuous communication, mentoring and support (80 team members);
• Actively ensuring client relationships are maintained while supporting and advising clients on their expansion / upgrade needs, adhoc demands and strategic growth objectives / targets;
• Maintaining strong consumer/shopper relationships;
• Cultivating strong industry relationships to promote service lines and improve overall business operations;
• Actively providing world class Asset Management services to ensure continued growth in client portfolio market values through the implementation of agreed strategic goals and world class operating procedures;
• Representing Broll Namibia on the O&L Group Executive team.

Significant Achievements as Managing Director of Broll Namibia:

• Growing Broll Namibia's service lines from Shopping Centre Management and Leasing Services to include the following range of services: Asset Management, Development Management, Project Management, Property Management, Shopping Centre Management, Facilities Management, Commercial Leasing Services, Commercial Sales Services as well as Back of House Accounting services;
• Growing the Commercial Property Portfolio under management from approximately R/N$ 350 million in 2005 to approximately R/N$ 5 billion by 30 June 2019.
• Growing O&L Group's Portfolio value with over 400%.
• Unlocking significant growth for our clients through world class Asset and Property Management Services;
• Becoming the highest EBIT generating company within the O&L Group;
• Growing Broll Namibia to be recognized as the leading Property Management and Commercial Property Services provider in Namibia, managing some of the most prominent commercial properties incl. but not limited to Grove Mall of Namibia, Wernhil Park Shopping Centre, Dunes Mall, Standard Bank Centre, Alexander Forbes House etc.;
• Receiving several recognitions relating to fostering trust and building strong team relationships, which included: Deloitte's Best Company To Work annual survey for southern African, placing 3rd in 2010, 2nd in 2012 and 1st during 2011, 2013 and 2014 within the O&L Group;
• Great Place to Work global survey, placing 2nd in the O&L Group during 2016-18.

Key Responsibilities:

Supporting the Managing Director (South Africa based) with the overall management of the business which included:

• Managing and supporting the team to ensure day-to-day operational responsibilities of the Commercial property portfolio under management (valued at approximately R 350 million during 2003 – 2005) were met;
• Leading a team of 40 people and supporting the Managing Director with ensuring strategic goals are realized;
• Tenant retention and tenant relationship management;
• Co-ordinating and playing an active role in designing and finalizing the tenant mix for commercial property expansion projects, while acting as the clients' representative in respect of all relevant professional teams;
• Identifying commercial property development opportunities to expand the portfolio under Broll Namibia's management;
• Driving a robust growth strategy to increase the value of the portfolio under management as well as grow the service lines offered, which included predominantly Shopping Centre Management as well as Commercial Leasing services;
• Growing the Broll Namibia brand and service lines within the Namibian market through property owner and other stakeholder engagements;
• Executing on a focused marketing strategy to grow shopper and store turnovers;
• Managing shareholder expectations and representing Broll Namibia on the Group Executive of O&L.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing the day-to-day operations of O&L Groups' commercial property portfolio valued at approximately N$/R 130 million during 2002 – 2003;
• Leading and supporting a team of 35 team members to meet all relevant strategic and operational demands of the portfolio;
• Financial Management of the companies' financial affairs;
• Reporting and Performance Monitoring / Management;
• Lease-, Risk- and Vacancy Management;
• Marketing of retail properties to attract shoppers – focusing on tenant turnover growth;
• Tenant retention and tenant relationship management;
• Ensuring all properties are maintained to maximize appearance and overall value;
• Identifying opportunities for development and value enhancement;
• Co-ordinating commercial developments to expand the portfolio under management;
• Driving the portfolio's overall growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Co-ordinating Operating Companies' monthly reporting to Head Office;
• Monthly financial reporting of Group Company results;
• Consolidation of Group financial results;
• Hands-on financial management and accounting support to Group companies;
• Drawing-up Annual Financial Statements for audit review;
• Preparing Tax Calculations and completing Tax Returns.

Key Responsibilities:

My responsibilities as Audit Clerk and later as Audit Senior included preparing audit files for review up to ultimately taking over the responsibility of reviewing audit files and preparing all relevant working documentation and Annual Financial Statements for Audit Partner review and sign off. This was done for multiple clients in various sectors which included but are not limited to Manufacturing, Banking, Local Authorities, Retail, Transportation/Logistics and Farming.