By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Growthpoint announced the appointment of a new CEO and CFO at the start of 2026 as part of its long-term succession strategy.
The JSE-listed real estate investment trust (REIT) announced on Monday, 11 August, planned leadership appointments.
Estienne de Klerk will be appointed as Group CEO, effective 1 July 2026, and José Snyders will step into the role of Group CFO on the same date.
With three decades of experience across banking and listed property, and nearly 20 years with Growthpoint in a progression of senior executive roles, Growthpoint says De Klerk has deep expertise in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, operations broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) and industry transformation.
He has held numerous leadership roles in the sector, including chairperson of the South African Reit Association, past president of the South African Property Owners Association and founder of the Property Industry Group, which supported the sector through the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also serves on the boards of key Growthpoint investments, including V&A Waterfront Holdings and Growthpoint Properties Australia.
Growthpoint says it plans leadership changes well in advance to ensure stable, experienced leadership and a strong, embedded culture to deliver sustainable long-term value to its stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Gerald Völkel is retiring as group FD on March 31, 2026, and will be succeeded by Snyders as group CFO and executive director.
Snyders is the current CEO of Liberty Two Degrees – a role he assumed following a successful tenure as both commercial director and FD of that company.
With over 22 years of experience spanning financial services, investment banking and listed real estate, Growthpoint says he brings with him a deep blend of strategic, operational and capital markets expertise.