Naspers CEO Bob van Dijk is gone

Naspers and Prosus informed shareholders today that CEO Bob van Dijk will step down from his position effective today.

The companies told shareholders this morning that their boards have mutually agreed that Van Dijk will, effective today, 18 September 2023, step down from his position as chief executive as well as his position on the boards of both companies. 

“Van Dijk has agreed to assist with the transition after this date and will remain as a consultant to the group until 30 September 2024,” the companies said.

Van Dijk succeeded former Naspers CEO Koos Bekker in 2014. He has been the CEO of Prosus since its listing in 2019.

Bekker is currently the chairman of Naspers and Prosus.

Van Dijk holds an MSc Econometrics from Erasmus University Rotterdam and an MBA from Insead in France.

He headed up eBay Germany, that company’s biggest market outside the US, and was COO of Schibsted’s Classifieds.

“He established the group as a leading global consumer internet company, creating significant value for shareholders. The boards sincerely thank Bob for his leadership and contribution,” Naspers and Prosus said.

Ervin Tu will assume the role of interim CEO of Naspers and Prosus. Tu is currently the Group Chief Investment Officer at Naspers and Prosus.

“Ervin assuming the role as Interim CEO will result in a seamless transition,” the companies said.

“As the Chief Investment Officer, he has made significant contributions to the strategic direction of the company and will provide continuity in the execution of the Group’s key priorities.”

These priorities include bringing the company’s consolidated eCommerce portfolio to profitability while maintaining growth and leading capital allocation across the group.

The companies assured shareholders that the group’s strategic goals will remain unchanged and it is on target to deliver on its commitments.

These commitments include achieving consolidated eCommerce trading profit during the first half of FY25 and the continuation of its open-ended share repurchase programme.

“The Boards of Prosus and Naspers want to thank Bob for his leadership over a full decade,” said Bekker.

“During this time substantial businesses were established in classifieds, food delivery and payments, while we also entered several new fields. We appreciate Bob’s contributions and wish him much success with his future career.”