James Beattie

CEO

James was an owner and CEO of the Omnigraphics Group, a global player in the screen print and super wide-format digital printing industries with operations in six countries. He was also a founding shareholder of “Techink”, a high-quality ink manufacturer, which was later sold to Hewlett Packard. He is a long-standing member of the Young President’s Organisation (YPO). James founded Xanita in 2006 along with fellow management investors and continues to operate as CEO of the company. James plays a strong role in the Sales and Business Development of Xanita.

Jamie Lowndes

Non-Executive Director

Jamie graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Rhodes University. He has spent 20 years in printing and print-related industries and has been responsible for pioneering high-tech, digital printing inks for the industrial digital print markets. Jamie founded what is today the largest digital ink manufacturing facility in the world, Tech Ink, which is now owned by Hewlett-Packard. Jamie is a non-executive director and shareholder of Xanita.

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 remains on the Xanita board of directors and plays a role in the strategic direction of the company.

Gary Macnab

General Manager

Gary holds an MBA from the University of Witwatersrand and is a certified Electrical Engineer with over 18 years of experience in the paper industry. He is a shareholder and was promoted in 2009 to General Manager of Xanita. Gary also co-ordinates the Sales Team.

Greg Nicholls

Director - Oceana Region

Greg holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance and Economics from Natal University. With 16 years of experience in trade marketing and distribution roles in South Africa, United Kingdom and Australia, Greg went on to establish one of Australia's leading graphic consumables and equipment distribution businesses until 2006, whereafter he divested to finance the business operations of Xanita (Oceana) Pty Ltd.

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 manages the Research and Development team with key focus on product and supplier development. Joan supports the Sales team by dealing directly with customers and assisting with technical inquiries.

Chris Neveling

Project Engineer and Operations

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, heading up the engineering team, with his primary focus being machinery and production optimisation.

Craig Fussell

Sales and Business 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.

Shaun Ferry

Sales and Business Development

Shaun studied marketing after school and has worked in sales for over 20 years, having run his own successful small businesses. Shaun is successful sportsman. holding three World Championship titles in sailing. He has also received the Presidents Sports Award from Nelson Mandela for Yacht Racing. Shaun is a shareholder of Xanita and is involved in Business and Product Development, on a technical, “hands-on” level.

Neil Choveaux

Financial Manager

Neil graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Natal and then completed his articles with KPMG. Neil is a Professional Accountant (South Africa). He has had many years of experience in financial management with a leading barrier security group of companies. Neil joined Xanita in January 2009, in the capacity of Financial Manager.

Erskine Stewart

Sales and Business Development - Europe

Erskine holds an Honours Degree in Hospitality Business Management. Prior to joining Xanita Erskine worked for Mondi Packaging United Kingdom, in the speciality division, as National Account Manager. Erskine joined Xanita in 2006 in the Business Development division. In 2007 he was transferred to the United Kingdom where he currently handles Xanita's Business Development in Europe.

Linda De Villiers

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.

 Roxanne Leibrandt

Sales Support and Marketing Co-ordinator

After matriculating, Roxanne went on to study journalism at Varsity College. Upon finishing her course she travelled to London where she worked at Hamleys of London in the Customer Service Department, and later as part of the website team. Shortly after her return to South Africa in 2007, Roxanne joined Xanita. Roxanne currently acts as Sales Support, in addition to handling Xanita's Public Relations and Marketing activities.