Coface appoints local CEO

Coface South Africa CEO-country manager, Jacqui Jooste.

Coface, the French-based trade credit insurer, has announced the appointment of Jacqui Jooste as Coface South Africa CEO-country manager.

“Ms Jooste has been an executive director and board member of Coface since August 2008 and has held the position of COO since September 2014. With a career spanning more than 20 years at the entity, Ms Jooste has grown through the ranks, having worked in various key strategic positions throughout the company since her inception in 1993, demonstrating the ability to work at all organisational levels and across executive functional areas,” said Gino Conte, the previous Coface South Africa CEO.

Mr Conte has been appointed chairman of the local subsidiary and will return to Italy to focus on his existing responsibility as chief commercial officer for Southern Europe and Africa.

Mr Conte said that the new appointment brings further strength to the local subsidiary. “Ms Jooste’s depth of knowledge of Coface’s international business and her experience in the trade credit market will enable the company to continue to grow from strength to strength. It also confirms our commitment to promoting internally and having a South African-focused management team,” he said.

“Ms Jooste has a strong relationship with brokers and will build on that relationship based on Coface’s firm commitment of the importance of the broker network to the growing success of the company, and in relation to this, Coface has joined ITSA, IIG and FIA.”

“We have also increased the size of our broker team with the goal to become the brokers’ insurer of choice. Complementing this is the local staff’s knowledge of the business, sound track record, long-term continuity and buy-in of Coface’s commitment to its broker network.”

“Our customers remain our key focus and we will continue to strive to provide our clients with flexibility and solutions that are not only specifically tailored to their needs, but also set us apart from our competitors.” said Ms Jooste.

“I am thrilled to be heading up the South African operation,” added Ms Jooste. “Coface South Africa has a combination of a strong customer base, excellent relationships with key partners, leading products, a dedication to technology innovation and a team of committed people with solid expertise. I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the company through the next chapter of its history.”

Coface is listed on the Paris Euronext, is located in 66 countries and provides cover for clients in over 200 countries. In the 2016 financial year Group turnover was euro 1.4 billion and net income euro 41.5 million. Coface was established in 1946.