Naspers appoints Fabricio Bloisi as new CEO

Prosus and Naspers appointed Fabricio Bloisi as its chief executive officer, replacing interim CEO Ervin Tu. 

Bloisi will start on July 1, Amsterdam-based technology investment firm Prosus said in an emailed statement. Tu will take on the role of president and chief investment officer.

Tu has headed the companies since Bob van Dijk stepped down as the head of Prosus and Naspers in September.

The group’s strategic goals remain unchanged, and it is on target to deliver a consolidated e-commerce trading profit during the second half of the fiscal year, it said. 

Prosus and its Cape Town-based parent, Naspers, made a blockbuster early-stage investment in Tencent in 2001 for $34 million.

Since then, the Chinese company’s growth has exploded. That led the group to sell down some of its stake in Tencent and buy back its own shares in order to close a gap between the sum of its parts and the value of its stake.

Bloisi was the CEO of iFood, which he acquired in 2013 when it was a 20-person start-up. He has since grown it rapidly and profitably to become Brazil’s leading food delivery company.

Naspers describes Bloisi as a proven entrepreneur and innovator with deep roots in operating, building and scaling world-class technology companies within growth markets.

Tu said, “Fabricio has an incredible operating track record, founders’ passion, is a champion of culture and has the vision to think big and bigger.”

“We’re in the midst of a fascinating time of change in the technology industry. There are many opportunities ahead, and I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside Fabricio on this journey.”

Bloisi said, “It is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead Prosus and Naspers during a very exciting period of innovation and change within the technology space.”

“I am proud that we have grown iFood into one of the largest and most successful brands in Latin America.”

“This was driven by a passionate team balancing innovation with disciplined investment while acting fast and empowering our great people. That combination is in my DNA, and I will bring it to my new role as Prosus and Naspers CEO.”