By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) announced that Leila Fourie will retire as the Group CEO on 31 March 2026, ending a seven-year period in charge.
Fourie began her professional journey in the financial services industry at Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), where she was a senior manager for over five years.
She went on to work for Standard Bank as Card Division Managing Director, and from 2012 to 2015 she served as an executive director responsible for post-trade and information services at the JSE.
From 2016 to 2019, she held the role of chief executive officer of the Australian Payments Network, where she led Australia’s payment systems, enhancing the security and efficiency of the financial transaction infrastructure.
However, Fourie’s career took a big turn when Nicky Newton-King, the previous CEO of the JSE, retired in 2019.
She has led the JSE through a transformative period marked by strategic innovation, operational resilience, and inclusive leadership,” JSE said.
“Under her leadership, the JSE has delivered a robust financial performance and has become a more inclusive, collegiate and future-fit institution. On behalf of the board, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Leila for her exceptional stewardship and the enduring legacy she leaves behind.”
Since her appointment in 2019, the JSE said that Fourie has delivered a turnaround in earnings quality, diversified the group’s revenue base, and modernised its technology and regulatory frameworks.
Fourie’s leadership has extended beyond financial performance and operational excellence. She has championed inclusive leadership, sustainability, transformation and regulatory excellence.”
She has also been active in driving national private sector initiatives in partnership with the chief executives of major South African companies, to strengthen South Africa’s capital markets.
“These initiatives, under the leadership of National Treasury, include Operation Phumelela and various engagements to motivate an upgrade to South Africa’s sovereign credit rating,” it added.
JSE chair Phuthuma Nhleko commented: “Leila has led the JSE with strategic clarity and an unwavering commitment to transformation. Her tenure has been marked by innovation, operational resilience and a deep sense of purpose.
The board has appointed Valdene Reddy as the next group CEO, effective 1 April 2026. Reddy currently serves as the Director of Capital Markets at the JSE.
The board is confident that Reddy’s deep industry expertise, strategic acumen, and stakeholder relationships will position the JSE for continued success in a rapidly evolving financial landscape,” it said.
“It is an honour to be appointed as Group CEO, and I am delighted to lead this institution into its next chapter, “said Reddy.
My focus will be on accelerating innovation and enhancing our competitiveness through ongoing strategic transformation. I look forward to working with our talented team and valued partners to unlock new opportunities for growth and impact,” she added.
Nhleko said he is confident Reddy’s deep industry expertise, strategic acumen and stakeholder relationships will position the JSE for continued success.