The publicly traded South African consumer internet conglomerate Naspers, along with its international internet assets division Prosus, have announced the appointment of Fabricio Bloisi to the role of Group CEO.
In a statement released this morning, it was confirmed that the boards of both Prosus and Naspers have given their unanimous consent to Bloisi’s ascension to the position of Group CEO for both entities, with his tenure set to commence on the 1st of July.
Bloisi is slated to become an executive director on the Naspers board starting from the 1st of July. Additionally, he is expected to join the board of Prosus after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in August 2024, pending the approval of the shareholders.
Naspers, a leading consumer internet company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, along with its subsidiary Prosus, has named Fabricio Bloisi as the new Group CEO. This appointment comes in the wake of Bob van Dijk’s unexpected departure in September of the previous year. Van Dijk had been at the helm of Naspers since 2014 and had led Prosus since its initial public offering in 2019.
Ervin Tu, who stepped in as the interim Group CEO following Van Dijk’s exit, will transition to a new role as President and Chief Investment Officer.
Bloisi is stepping into the Group CEO position from his previous role as the CEO of iFood, a prominent food delivery company in Latin America. His background as an entrepreneur and innovator is characterized by extensive experience in the operational, developmental, and scaling aspects of technology companies, particularly in emerging markets.
Koos Bekker, the chairman of Prosus and Naspers, expressed confidence in Bloisi’s appointment, emphasizing that the group’s history of success is rooted in supporting exceptional entrepreneurs who leverage technology to enhance daily life. Bekker highlighted Bloisi’s entrepreneurial track record and his success in making iFood one of the most innovative food delivery companies globally. Bloisi’s vision, operational expertise, and disciplined approach are the qualities that the board believes make him the ideal candidate to lead the group.
Bekker also commended Ervin Tu for his exemplary performance as the interim CEO, where he successfully navigated through challenging times, revitalized teams, and brought renewed energy to the group. In his forthcoming role as President and Chief Investment Officer, Tu will be instrumental in defining the group’s strategic direction, investment decisions, and capital allocation.
Bloisi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Prosus and Naspers during a period of significant innovation and transformation within the technology sector. He shared his pride in the growth and success of iFood, attributing it to a team that balanced innovation with disciplined investment. He plans to bring this same ethos to his new role as CEO of Prosus and Naspers, emphasizing the potential for technology disruption to positively impact billions of lives, especially in emerging markets.
Bloisi is committed to focusing on innovation, discipline, and leveraging the group’s talented workforce to enhance customer experiences, provide opportunities for employees, and deliver long-term shareholder value.
Tu also praised Bloisi’s operational excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and vision, noting the exciting changes and opportunities within the technology industry. He expressed enthusiasm for working alongside Bloisi on the group’s journey ahead.
The statement assured that the group’s strategic objectives remain intact, with the aim to achieve consolidated e-commerce trading profit in the second half of the fiscal year 2024 and to continue the open-ended share repurchase program. Further details will be provided in the year-end results scheduled for release on June 24.
