James Beattie | CEO
James started his own visual graphics group of businesses, based out of Cape Town, South Africa. These were geared to service the digital-printing and automotive graphics markets, with joint-venture companies later established in 5 countries. He was also a co-founding shareholder of “Techink,” a high-quality digital printing ink manufacturer, which was later sold to Scitex Vision (now Hewlett Packard). After divesting out of these businesses, he went on to start Xanita in 2004. James is a long-standing member of the Young President’s Organisation (YPO).
Dean Hyde | Director
Dean graduated from the University of Witwatersrand with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He then studied at York University in Toronto, Canada, obtaining a CA in 1991. He completed his Articles with Grant Thornton International in 1993. Dean joined the Spur Group in 1994 as Financial Manager and was later appointed Financial Director. In 2004, Dean resigned as Financial Director and was appointed as a non-executive director to the Spur Corporation Board; a role he still fulfils. Dean joined James Beattie in late 2004 to establish Xanita and contributed to the initial business plan concept and its implementation. Dean fulfilled the role of Financial Director at Xanita until his relocation to Johannesburg in March 2009. Dean remains on the Xanita board and now plays a role in the strategic direction of the company.
Gary Macnab | General Manager
Gary holds a MBA degree from the University of Witwatersrand and is a certified Electrical Engineer with over 18 years of experience in the paper industry. Gary is a shareholder and General Manager of Xanita and has been involved with the business since inception.
Greg Nicholls |Director – Oceana Region
Greg holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance & Economics from Natal University. He has 19 years of experience in a mix of accounting, trade marketing and wholesale distribution roles in South Africa, United Kingdom and Australia. Greg founded one of Australia’s leading graphic consumable and equipment distribution businesses which he sold in 2006 in order to fund the start-up of Xanita in the Australia and New Zealand regions, with the goal of setting up local manufacturing in partnership with Australian investors.
Joan Meyer | Research & Development Manager
Joan holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Polymer Science from the University of Stellenbosch. She has over 20 years experience in product development and project management with an excellent understanding of polymers and materials to support the latter. Valuable experience was gained in the plastics manufacturing and print converting industry. In 2005, her focus began to shift from plastics to kraft and she realised a new passion for the opportunities that value-added eco-friendly kraft-based products offered. Joan is a shareholder of Xanita and manages the Research and Development team with key focus on product and supplier development.
Chris Neveling | Project Engineer & Factory Manager
With a Masters degree in Civil Engineering, Chris has been involved in many projects from inception to fruition. He has over 33 years of experience in building projects and the design and manufacture of related machinery. He joined Xanita in 2006 as a shareholder and Project Engineer. Chris heads Xanita’s engineering team, with his primary focus being machinery and production optimisation.
Craig Fussell | Product Development
Craig holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and is registered as both a Professional Engineer and Professional Project Manager, with over 18 years of experience in the building and property development industry. Craig joined the Xanita team as a shareholder in 2006 and currently leads Product and Technical development in the construction, retail and shop fitting sectors.
Linda de Villiers | International Sales
Linda has spent most of her career in sales and marketing support having worked for various manufacturing companies in the textile and plastic packaging industries. Prior to joining Xanita in 2007, she worked for the Executive Chairman of the Spur Group; an internationally renowned FMCG company, where her passion for customer service was ‘fine tuned.’ At Xanita, Linda manages sales and marketing related enquiries both locally and internationally together with account development.
Shaun Ferry | Business Development Manager
Shaun studied marketing after graduating from school and has worked in Sales for over 20 years. Shaun is a shareholder of Xanita and is involved in Business and Product Development, on a technical, “hands-on” level. Shaun is also a very successful sportsman and holds three World Championship titles in sailing. He has also received an award from Nelson Mandela for Outstanding Sports Achievement in the World Championships.
