Motus elects new CEO

Long-standing Motus CEO Osman Arbee is retiring after 20 years of service, and CFO Ockert Janse van Rensburg has now officially assumed the company’s top position.

Motus announced on Friday that, after 20 years of distinguished service with Motus Holdings and its antecedent, Imperial Holdings, Arbee has officially stepped down as CEO.

In April this year, having reached the stipulated retirement age of 65, Arbee announced that he would hand over the top job to Motus’ CFO, Janse van Rensburg, on 1 November 2024.

Arbee and Janse van Rensburg have worked closely together since Motus was unbundled from Imperial Holdings and separately listed on the JSE in 2018. The two have positioned the group well to deliver sustainable growth and dependable value creation for stakeholders. 

Board chairman Johnson Njeke said, “The board is deeply grateful to Osman for his exceptional leadership as Motus’ founding CEO and for his unwavering dedication and extensive contribution to the group over the past 20 years.” 

“Osman has played a pivotal role in advancing and positioning Motus to become the industry-leading provider of automotive mobility solutions and vehicle products and services. We wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

Janse van Rensburg’s appointment was the outcome of a rigorous process that considered several candidates, both internally and externally. The company said this bears testament to Motus’ commitment to developing the skills of its people.

“The board would also like to congratulate Ockert on his appointment. He exemplifies Motus’ ethical, entrepreneurial and innovative spirit,” Njeke said. 

“Ockert has worked closely with Osman on strategy execution and has a deep understanding of the underlying portfolio of businesses and functions.”

Janse van Rensburg’s tenure as CFO included a period as CEO when Arbee was on medical leave. He will be replaced as CFO by Brenda Baijnath, who joined the company in August this year. 

“The board is confident that Ockert and Brenda will further accelerate the progress made by Osman and wishes them both well in their respective roles,” Njeke said.