Top CEO and business leader leaves South Africa for Australia

Lance Foxcroft, CEO of Ceramic, a subsidiary of Italtile, will take early retirement to move to Australia to join his family.

Foxcroft, who holds a BSc Eng Honours degree in Physical Metallurgy, is an industry veteran who started his career as a plant manager at Large Carbide Components.

He joined Ceramic Industries in 2003 and rose through the ranks of factory and operations management, eventually serving as CEO from 2014 to 2021.

After Italtile acquired Ceramic Industries, Foxcroft was groomed as part of a long-term succession plan.

He was appointed CEO-designate in July 2021 and officially took over as Group CEO of Italtile on January 1, 2022, succeeding Jan Potgieter.

Italtile is the leading retailer and producer of ceramic tiles, adhesives, and sanitaryware in Southern Africa.

Retail comprises the Italtile Retail, CTM, and TopT brands, with over 200 brick-and-mortar stores and 6 online stores.

The company owns significant manufacturing through Ceramic Industries, Ezeetile Adhesive Manufacturers, and Pivical panels.

Italtile also owns its own supply chain businesses, such as International Tap Distributors, Cedar Point, and Distribution Centres.

In a planned transition, Foxcroft stepped down as Italtile Group CEO on 30 June 2026, handing the reins to Brandon Wood.

As part of this transition, he once again took over as chief executive of Ceramic Industries, returning to the company he joined in 2003.

On Tuesday, 14 July 2026, Italtile announced Foxcroft’s early retirement, which will be effective at the end of November 2026.

He told the Ceramic board that his family commitments and the challenges of commuting between South Africa and Australia are behind this decision.

“Lance has made an outstanding contribution to the Group over many years, having served as both CEO of Italtile and as CEO of Ceramic,” it said.

“During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in driving the group’s strategic transformation and delivering meaningful growth for both entities.”

Italtile said that Foxcroft showed exceptional dedication and leadership and was leaving behind a lasting legacy.

Italtile Group CEO Brandon Wood will assume oversight responsibility for Ceramic upon Foxcroft’s departure.

“Wood will be supported by Ceramic’s established governance and operational structures, including the existing operational board,” it said.

“A recruitment process has commenced to appoint a head of manufacturing to oversee all the group’s manufacturing operations.”