Brian Menell: Difference between revisions
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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http://www.brianmenellgroup.org |
http://www.brianmenellgroup.org |
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http://za.linkedin.com/in/brianmenell |
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Revision as of 07:20, 29 October 2010
Brian Menell (born August, 1965) is a South African businessman with interests in mining, oil, gas, precious metals, diamonds, energy infrastructure and wine.[1]
Early life
Brian Menell's grandfather, Slip Menell, was the co-founder in 1932 of the Anglovaal Group, one of South Africa's largest diversified mining and industrial groups of companies.[2]
Brian is the son of the noted philanthropist and businessman, Clive Menell, who died in 1996. Brian Menell and his brother Rick retained control of Anglovaal Mining until its sale in 2001 to create the largest South African empowerment controlled company, African Rainbow Minerals.[3]
Business career
Brian Menell serves as a Director of Kemet Global Ltd., Shore Gold Inc., Glendirk Estate, PTY Ltd., Armstrong Financial Inc. and TINCO Ltd.
He was previously a partner in control and Executive Director of Anglovaal Mining (Pty) Ltd., a Director of Anglovaal Holdings (Pty) Ltd. and of Anglovaal Industries (Pty) Ltd., with extensive precious metal, base metal, ferrous metal and diamond interests across Southern Africa. Prior to joining his family controlled Anglovaal Group, he worked for the De Beers Group in London, Antwerp and Windhoek. He is also a former Chairman of Energem Resources Inc. and a former Chairman of First Africa Oil Plc.[4]
Anglovaal
The Anglovaal Group was a diversified South African Mining House. Interests were held through Anglovaal Industries Pty Ltd. (cement, construction, steel, food processing, car tyres, consumer electronics and financial services), and through Anglovaal Mining Pty Ltd (gold, platinum, copper, manganese, iron ore, nickel and diamonds). The Group was listed in Johannesburg and London but controlled by the founding families. At its peak the Group employed some 85,000 people and had a market capital of +/- $2.5bn.[5]
In 1999 the industrial interests were unbundled (as AVI and AVENG) with Brian and Rick Menell retaining control of the mining interests (AVMIN) with the subsequent sale of their controlling interest in 2001 to Anglo American Plc.[6]
As an Executive Director of AVMIN, Brian Menell managed the sale to DeBeers of Anglovaal’s 50% interest in the Venetia mine (South Africa’s largest diamond mine) for $600m. This remains DeBeer’s biggest ever corporate acquisition. Brian also lead the hostile bid for ISCOR (the former South African State Steel, Iron Ore and Coal company) in partnership with the parastatal investment company, IDC. This lead in 2006 to the break-up of ISCOR and to the creation of Kumba, Exxaro and Mital Iscor Steel.[7]
A1 Grand Prix
In 2004, Brian Menell became a founding partner and Executive Director of the A1 Grand Prix auto racing series, which was billed as “the world cup of motor sports”.[8]
A1 Grand Prix (A1GP) was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport".
The series was ratified by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and races were held in the traditional Formula One off-season, the northern hemisphere winter.[9]
The nation-based A1GP concept was founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of Dubai, initially in 2003.[10]
After a successful first season of A1GP, it was announced on 29 September 2006 that Maktoum was to sell his position as Chairman & Director of A1GP.[11]
The transfer of his share in the organisation of A1 Grand Prix to RAB Capital was finalised in December 2006. The series completed four seasons and attracted large audiences, particularly in emerging markets. Some twenty-three national teams raced in eleven countries. There are currently plans for the next A1 Grand Prix to take place in the 2011-2012 season.[12]
When the venture launched, it attracted positive attention, most notably from Nelson Mandela who received Menell and his two guests, Ronaldo and Luis Figo, at his home. Mandela expressed his pride at South Africa’s progress since the end of the Apartheid and he also claimed his support for South African entry into the A1 Grand Prix.[13][14]
Nelson Mandela also offered the A1 Grand Prix and Brian Menell his blessing and lent his support for the concept of a South African driver and team able to compete equally against other nations.[15]
The Menell family’s connections to Nelson Mandela extend further than his endorsement of the A1 Grand Prix. Clive Menell was the founding Deputy Chairman of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and his widow, Irene Menell, sits on the boards of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the READ Educational Trust.[16]
References
- ^ African Rainbow Minerals: "Significant New Investment In Anglovaal Mining Limited"
- ^ New York Times: "Clive S. Menell, 65, Mining Executive In South Africa”
- ^ AVI Ltd. History
- ^ Financial Times: "Business Profile"
- ^ Business Week: "Business Profile"
- ^ http://www.angloamerican.com/aal/media/releases/2002pr/2002-03-12/
- ^ http://www.kumba.co.za/au_history.php
- ^ South Africa: "A1 Grand Prix: SA Sar Unveiled"
- ^ A1 GP: "About"
- ^ A1GP: "History"
- ^ A1GP: "News"
- ^ Auto Sport: "A1GP Could Be Resurrected"
- ^ IOL: "Ronaldo And Figo Score Their Biggest Goal"
- ^ Oz Honda: "F1 Silly Season Thread
- ^ GP Grid: "A1 Grand Prix Brings Four Countries Together Under Nelson Mandella"
- ^ Help Your Neighbour: "Recession May Alter Priorities, But Real Philanthropists Still Give Freely"
External links
http://www.brianmenellgroup.org http://za.linkedin.com/in/brianmenell