B.Com, MBA, Nat. Dip. Company Admin, Nat. High. Dip. Cost Accounting, AGA (SA)
Financial and Commercial Executive having operated in a diverse range of industries including Aviation (Airport Operator and Ground Handling), Ports, Automotive (component manufacturing), Telecommunications and Manufacturing (plastics and foods).
Christian Faure
Executive
Aviation, Finance, Logistics, Telecoms, Strategy
Phone:
+264 81 127 7389 (Namibia)
+27 61 711 0417 (South Africa)
Email:
Date of Birth:
14 November, 1964
EXPERIENCE
Namibia Airports Company
Executive: Commercial Services and Strategy
Aug 2022 - Current
Accountable for Commercial activities generating both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue. Contract negotiations with leaseholders / concessionaires / airlines. International route development for air traffic into Namibia.
Full responsibility for company strategic plan and initiatives.
2020-July 2022
Namibia Airports Company
Executive: Risk, Compliance and Strategy
Responsible for Namibia Airports Company compliance with national, international civil aviation regulations as well as ICAO standards and recommended practices where applicable. Plans and directs programs, policies, and practices to ensure that all business units' activities are in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Ensuring risk management & compliance processes are integrated, embedded and aligned across the entire company. Managing corporate strategy initiatives and participating in communicating the strategy to internal and external stakeholders, spearheading the strategic implementation across all fronts of the business, as well as facilitating reporting of strategy implementation as per the legislative requirements.
2014-2019
Vice President: Commercial
Menzies Aviation
Responsible for all revenues of Menzies ground-handling business generated within South Africa and Namibia. Identifying and responsible for the relationships with all customers and driving their needs and issues throughout the business.
Contract negotiation with all major international airlines including tender submissions.
Currently also responsible for the Safety, Security and Standards portfolio (HSSE) including internal and airlines Quality & Safety audits and Compliance. This includes the ISAGO accreditation of IATA.
2009-2014
Executive: Marketing and Strategic Business Development
Namibian Ports Authority
Responsible for all revenue, customer relations, property infrastructure and business development for all ports within Namibia. Current turnover around R700 million.
Board Director of Walvis Bay Corridor Group. (www.wbcg.com.na)
A key function of this position is to ensure long-term sustainability of the Ports Authority through influencing new trade patterns to neighbouring countries through the Namibian ports. This involves market research and strategic analyses of the opportunities in these regions as well as direct customer interactions with key stakeholders.
Board interaction – including the adoption of a new strategic marketing plan – has been successfully implemented.
Long-term contract negotiations concluded successfully with the world’s largest shipping lines (Maersk and CMA CGM) has been a highlight as well as attracting 4 of the top 5 container shipping lines in the world.
Direct involvement with the infrastructure development of the ports to ensure a diverse product offering both for Namibian needs and the neighbouring countries. This would include evaluations of chemical tanker facilities, grain silos, bulk storage capabilities, and long-term influence of the ports’ master plans.
Achievements:
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Grew turnover by 2% year-on-year during a time the industry declined by 12.5% (2009/10). Overall turnover increase of 48% over 4 ½ years.
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Currently increasing overall volume by 14% (containers at 59% increase) with revenue increase of 27%+ (2011/12)
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Increased Customer Service Satisfaction from 53% in 2009 to 71% in July 2011 and maintained at those levels subsequently.
EDUCATION
2015-2017
Master's Degree
LAW SCHOOL
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2012-2014
UNIVERSITY
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Bachelor's Degree
2007-2010
High School Diploma
HIGH SCHOOL
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SKILLS
Microsoft ExCel - Advanced
Microsoft Word - Advanced
Power Point - Proficient
Adobe - Proficient
French - Mother Tongue
Spanish - Advanced
EXPERTISE
2004-2009
Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC)
Chief Operating Officer
As Head of Sales and Marketing for this R1.3 billion+ per annum cellular network, initiated an entire revamp of all sales and marketing activities (including the brand positioning) to position MTC as a premier organisation in Namibia.
Re-launched and rebranded the contract packages to gain a 9-fold increase in sales within a three-year period.
Grown distribution points of presence from 500 to more than 3000.
Increased the subscriber base from 220 000 (which took 8.5 years) to over 1 200 000 (in 5 ½ years) whilst maintaining ARPU levels.
Maintained EBITDA at more than 52%.
Responsible for all MTC-owned retail outlets and staffing (20 outlets)
Significant exposure to sponsorship activities as MTC is – by far – the most pervasive sponsor in Namibia. I initiated all the major football, cricket, rugby and golf sponsorships in Namibia worth annually in excess of N$11 million.
Introduced innovative value-added services such as personal e-mail, DSTV mobile, 3G HSDPA, PTT and Internet access for all cellular users, since copied by major SA networks.
3G sales accounted for 15% of all new contract sales and data almost 12% of revenue (excellent for a cellular network).
Opex responsibility in excess of N$73 million (excluding cost of sales)
Responsible for all Board proposals and presentations for Commercial activities.
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Key positions
•Founding Board Director of Team Namibia (similar to Proudly SA)
•Advisory Committee for sale of stake to a Strategic Equity Partner.
2001-2003
Regional Manager: Western Cape
Cell C
Launched Cell C in the Western Cape, Free State and Northern Cape. Presided over the establishment of over 400 distribution outlets. Establishment of regional offices and recruitment of 50+ staff. Set up Operations, Customer Services and Sales divisions.
Strong liaison with Retail Head Offices within region (Clicks, Woolworths, Pep, Shoprite, Lewis) and overall growth of Dealer, Franchise and Cell C Direct channels.
Responsible for Marketing and Promotions in the region.
1997-2001
Regional Operations Manager
MTN
Control of all operational aspects of the Western Region including Finance, Service Centre, Technical, Administration, Inventory, Customer Service and IT functionality. Key Performance Areas are: Budgets, Management reporting, Performance Management, Financial Risk Management, Distribution and Fulfillment, Forecasting, Service levels, Staff Development.
Appointed as National Business Owner of MTN's new Retail Management System to drive the project implementation across 12 regional sites within South Africa.
1994-1997
Financial Manager
Safety Transport
Responsible for the full financial, human resource, IT and costing function for this automotive group comprising Safety Transport Mirrors, ASTI Child Restraints, Architectural Products, Safety Transport Belts and Spanset SA. Successfully conducted annual wage negotiations. Completed full financial statements for entire group.
1993-1994
Cost Accountant
Consol Plastics
Cost Accountant responsible for the implementation of IT systems, inventory control, standard product costing and management information. Extensively involved in the planning function and provision of production statistics.
1991-1993
Cost and Stock Controller
Tastic Rice Corporation
Cost and Stock Controller assuming control of the cost accounting and stock control function. This included margin analysis of some 130 varieties of product. Preparation of the annual budget and monthly profit reporting.
EDUCATION
National Diploma Company Administration
National Higher Diploma Cost Accounting
B.Com
MBA
Senior Management Program (SMP)
Cape Technikon (Cape Pensinsula University of Technology)
1983 - 1987
Majors:
Company Administration
Financial Accounting
Cape Technikon (Cape Pensinsula University of Technology)
1988
Majors:
Cost Accounting
Financial Accounting
UNISA
2000
Majors:
Economics
Business Economics
Professional
Potchefstroom University
1997 - 1999
General MBA
Thesis:
Cape Town ScienCentre
Stellenbosch University
2008
SMP specialising Telecoms sector
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Associate General Accountant - AGA (SA)
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
Member: 03268562
EXPERTISE
The grounding in Financial disciplines have provided a sound basis for all Marketing and Commercial activities whilst maintaining company profitability. Strong record of achievement in revenue generation, customer satisfaction and strategic implementation. Most suited to roles in General Management with Financial Management and Marketing on a strategic level. Experienced in both South African and Namibian markets.
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Contract negotiations
Strategic plan implementation
Risk and Compliance in Aviation industry
Ground Handling in Aviation industry
Mobile Telecommunication strategy and marketing
Mobile phone product and services development
Marine and port marketing
Commercial aviation (ground services provider and aerodrome operator)