Continental Auto Exports — Management Team & Governance
Mr Mkhize brings 15 years of experience in cross-border trade, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and automotive sector consulting. He previously served as Director of Trade Finance at a leading South African investment bank, where he structured and executed numerous cross-border commodity and…
Section 8 · Business Plan
Management Team & Governance
Mr Mkhize brings 15 years of experience in cross-border trade, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and automotive sector consulting. He previously served as Director of Trade Finance at a leading South African investment bank, where he structured and executed numerous cross-border commodity and…
8.1 Executive Leadership
Thabo Mkhize – Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Mr Mkhize brings 15 years of experience in cross-border trade, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and automotive sector consulting. He previously served as Director of Trade Finance at a leading South African investment bank, where he structured and executed numerous cross-border commodity and automotive trade facilities. Mr Mkhize holds a BCom (Honours) in Finance from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from GIBS Business School.
Nandi Dlamini – Chief Operating Officer
Ms Dlamini is an automotive logistics and supply chain specialist with 12 years of experience at Transnet Port Terminals and the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). She has extensive expertise in port operations, vehicle logistics, and export documentation. Ms Dlamini holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pretoria and a postgraduate diploma in Supply Chain Management from CILT.
Sipho Khumalo – Head of Compliance
Mr Khumalo is a regulatory compliance specialist with 10 years of experience in US import regulations, EPA compliance, and DOT certification. He previously served as compliance director at a registered importer in California and has deep knowledge of FMVSS requirements and EPA emission standards. Mr Khumalo holds a law degree from Wits University and is admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
8.2 Organisational Structure
The company will employ 15 staff members in Year 1, growing to 35 by Year 3 as operations scale. The organisational structure comprises four functional divisions: Executive, Operations, Commercial, and Corporate Services.
| Function | Year 1 Headcount | Year 3 Headcount | Key Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive | 3 | 4 | CEO, COO, CFO (Year 2), Head of Compliance |
| Operations | 6 | 16 | Logistics coordinators, inspectors, compliance engineers |
| Commercial | 3 | 8 | Sales managers, marketing, B2B platform |
| Corporate Services | 3 | 7 | Finance, HR, administration, IT |
| Total | 15 | 35 |
8.3 Board of Directors
The Board will comprise five members: two executive directors (CEO and COO), one nominee from Insight Capital Partners, and two independent non-executive directors with relevant industry experience. The Board will establish Audit, Risk, and Remuneration sub-committees in line with King IV governance principles.
8.4 Advisory Board
CAE will appoint an Advisory Board comprising senior industry professionals to provide strategic counsel on US market dynamics, automotive industry trends, and regulatory developments. Target advisors include former senior executives from US automotive importers and South African OEM operations.
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