Thandiwe Noruwana
Development Finance Specialist
Centurion,GP
Summary
A results-driven investment and portfolio management professional with over 20 years of experience in post-investment management, credit analysis, and business development. Skilled in stakeholder management, financial performance oversight, and governance improvement across diverse sectors. Proven ability to drive value creation for portfolio companies through strategic guidance, compliance oversight, and growth facilitation.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Principal
Edge Growth
03.2021 - Current
- Oversee overall performance of companies within the allocated Fund.
- Perform portfolio management of portfolio companies from deal team handover to exit.
- Deliver value-added assistance to portfolio companies, including strategy development, access to new markets, capital raising, and general business growth support.
- Collaborate with the Compliance Function on portfolio company compliance and reporting.
- Prepare regular portfolio update reports for internal committees and external stakeholders.
- Ensure effective governance and best practice within portfolio companies.
- Cross-team collaboration to ensure effective governance at Fund Level.
- Provide business development assistance to portfolio companies to drive company scaling.
- Development of the Portfolio Management function’s Centre of Excellence;
- Supported strategic initiatives to optimize the portfolio management operational processes, resulting in enhanced efficiency.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration among teams, driving innovative solutions that aligned with organizational goals and client needs.
Post Investment Associate
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
04.2018 - 02.2021
- Post investment monitoring of allocated portfolio of business partners;
- Ensuring timeous clearing of all draw down conditions, restrictive and other conditions in terms of the agreement entered into with the business partner.
- Periodically conducting equity valuations and review impairments on allocated business partners in accordance with IDC guidelines and policies.
- Conducting regular reviews, including site visits, and assigning risk ratings to allocated business partners.
- Proactively identify early warning signals and initiate appropriate intervention processes where necessary.
- Ensuring that all necessary amendments to contracts during the lifespan of the business partner are properly executed.
- Ensuring that all exits, i.e. early settlement, IRR and other calculations and release of security, on allocated portfolio are properly executed.
- Monitor all payments due, including interest, capital, dividends, fees, etc., on allocated portfolio.
- Analysis of financial information received from business partners in allocated portfolio on a regular basis and assessing the need for intervention based on the analysis.
Senior Post Investment Associate (Promoted in 2012)
National Empowerment Fund
10.2009 - 03.2018
- Regular evaluation and review of investments within portfolio and reporting thereon to internal oversight committees.
- Performing ongoing credit control, risk management and compliance management.
- Managing relationships with portfolio companies, other funders and external stakeholders.
- Undertaking additional funding due diligence and submission of reports for approval.
- Proactive portfolio management and providing required turnaround support to portfolio companies in distress.
- Appointment and supervision of external service providers to assist clients experiencing difficulties, and monitoring the implementation of recommendations to improve business performance.
- Oversight of reporting team members and regional offices to ensure overall team performance.
- Attend portfolio company board meetings as an observer.
- Collaboration with the Legal Department on all litigation and workout matters to ensure maximization of legal collections.
Business Analyst
Business Partners Ltd
04.2008 - 09.2009
- Undertook marketing and networking activities to enhance deal flow.
- Performed due diligence, deal structuring, and submission of investment reports to committees for approval.
- Portfolio management, credit control and administration.
Credit Analyst (Business Support & Recoveries)
Absa
11.2006 - 03.2008
- Active management of allocated portfolio.
- Formulating and implementing recovery and workout strategies for clients in distress.
- Constant monitoring and adaptation of recovery or workout strategies as required.
- Preparation of management information and reporting to internal committees.
Credit Analyst
First National Bank
04.2005 - 10.2006
- Assessment of business and agricultural applications for permanent or temporary overdraft facilities.
- Preparation of approval recommendations and referrals to higher authority.
- Monitoring of allocated credit portfolio.
- Ensuring business compliance with security requirements.
- Liaising with the credit team and branches.
Relationship Analyst
First National Bank
07.2004 - 03.2005
- Preparation of business credit proposals.
- Act as link between clients and the Credit Department.
- Manage relationships with banking clients.
- Stand in for client Relationship Manager when necessary.
- Completion of security documents.
Credit Officer (SME Dept.)
First National Bank
03.2002 - 06.2004
- Networking and deal sourcing.
- Conducting due diligence on business loan applications.
- Preparation and submission of approval reports to the Credit Committee.
- Preparation of security documents.
- Monitoring of clients.
Education
Master of Philosophy - Development Finance
University of Stellenbosch
04.2001 -
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Finance
University of Stellenbosch Business School
12-2015
Short Course - Risk Management
University of Cape Town (GetSmarter Program)
06-2015
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Transkei
12-2000
Skills
Strategic portfolio oversight
References
Available on request
SHORT COURSES ATTENDED
- Financial Services Charter
- Companies Act
- Business Turnaround & Strategy
- GIBS/SAVCA Foundation Programme – Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Institute of Directors – Public Finance Management Act; Being A Director (I,II,IV).
Timeline
Associate Principal
Edge Growth
03.2021 - Current
Post Investment Associate
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
04.2018 - 02.2021
Senior Post Investment Associate (Promoted in 2012)
National Empowerment Fund
10.2009 - 03.2018
Business Analyst
Business Partners Ltd
04.2008 - 09.2009
Credit Analyst (Business Support & Recoveries)
Absa
11.2006 - 03.2008
Credit Analyst
First National Bank
04.2005 - 10.2006
Relationship Analyst
First National Bank
07.2004 - 03.2005
Credit Officer (SME Dept.)
First National Bank
03.2002 - 06.2004
Master of Philosophy - Development Finance
University of Stellenbosch
04.2001 -
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Finance
University of Stellenbosch Business School
Short Course - Risk Management
University of Cape Town (GetSmarter Program)
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Transkei