Alec Hogg's Transcribed Interviews - Business & Financial Interviews

Kenyan bank’s technology delivers cost:income ratio of just 49%

30th July 201329th July 2013

Smart regulators, a wave of broadband and an enterprising population has put East Africa and particularly Kenya on top of the continent’s Internet pile. So it’s not surprising to see Kenyan banks leading the way in the practical application of technology to their operations – with some astonishing results. In this respect Equity Bank, Kenya’s … Read more

Ascendis looking to list in November 2013 after R400m fund raising offer

30th July 201325th July 2013

We had a fascinating interview on CNBC Africa Power Lunch with the CEO of prospective JSE newcomer Ascendis Health. Dr Karsten Wellner, a German who came to SA in 2000 when sent here by multinational Fresnius, played a central role in the Competition Commission’s investigation into collusion on the pricing of an estimated 17m intravenous … Read more

Don’t miss the Ellies boat – a bet on HCI/Remgro’s free satellite TV challenge to Naspers

29th July 201323rd July 2013

“Mr Market” was at it again when Ellies released its financial results for the year to end April. A decision by its board to pass the annual dividend was greeted with immediate dismal – the share price getting knocked back 4% in early trading. Those who had the foresight to watch my interview with CEO … Read more

Woolworths’ management stability produces market share gains, bucks trend

7th August 201323rd July 2013

I’ve known Woolworths CEO Ian Moir (53) for over a decade. We met in 2002 during a six week stay in Australia when setting up Mineweb.com’s Perth office. At the time, my company was also hoping to acquire a Moneyweb-lookalike in Sydney. My visit to the harbour city co-incided with a tour of SA-related retail … Read more

Access Kenya acquisition adds bulk to DiData Africa as it gears up for possible re-listing

4th August 201322nd July 2013

I first encountered Dimension Data in 1987 when Jeremy Ord’s then three year old networking business joined the JSE’s new listings boom. Since then I’ve been an interested observer (and grateful participant in a couple of DiData Pro-Ams) as the business became a modern day Icarus, surging to a London Listing and a string of … Read more

Eight years on, ABSA finally gets Barclays’ African footprint – for R18bn

3rd August 201322nd July 2013

I’ll always have a soft spot for ABSA. In 1994, the bank took on an impoverished working journalist, gave him a properly paid job, lots of responsibility (on the Exco as a Group GM) and a chunk of share options. What happened in the next two and a half years transformed my career. My boss, … Read more

Ex-Competitions Tzar calls for action that could kill hugely successful Leniency Policy

29th July 201318th July 2013

You’d have to look far and wide to find a more decent human being than David Lewis. An anti-apartheid struggle activist, he applied his brilliant mind to drafting and enforcing South Africa’s desperately needed revamped Competitions Law. We have engaged many times over the years and his excellent book, Thieves at the Dinner Table, is … Read more

CAs make great Finance Ministers – ask Mauritius as it keeps overtaking SA

29th July 201311th July 2013

My memories of Mauritius are mostly fond. A clear, warm sea; friendly people; great horseracing – and my TV interview with Sol Kerzner on the beach in front of Le Touessrok. Where he lied, barefaced, about bribing Kaizer Matanzima. Another Mauritian memory will be made today. This time, I’m not expecting any trickery.

Robert Gumede kicks in R75m, but long time partner Carlos Ferreira calls time on Gijima

18th July 20149th July 2013

Robert Gumede, or “RG” as he’s known to both friends and foes, is a larger than life character people either love or hate. Whatever your view, one has to admire his ability to have pulled himself up by the bootstraps. In his pre-teens he worked as a caddie at his local Nelspruit golf course, then … Read more

WBHO chairman says collusion in construction ended 5 years ago – will never happen again

29th July 20138th July 2013

My first day back after a five year absence on CNBC Power Lunch featured an exclusive interview with the chairman of South Africa’s largest construction company, WBHO. The 62 year old Mike Wylie agreed to come onto the show to put across his perspective on the media storm which erupted after the Competition Commission levied … Read more

<img class="floatright alignright" alt="Duval" src="http://alechogg.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Duval.jpg" width="160" height="160" />