‘Remarkable colleague, gentleman and patriot’: Former Altron boss Robbie Venter dies
07 August 2024 - 10:18
UPDATED 07 August 2024 - 18:21
by Mudiwa Gavaza and Jacqueline Mackenzie
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The late Robbie Venter, former CEO of Altron. File photo: MARTIN RHODES
Altron has announced that its former CEO and nonexecutive director Robbie Venter has died.
“Robbie was truly a remarkable individual, steadfast in his commitment, generously sharing his wisdom and experience as a valued member of the Altron Board,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday.
“His contributions to Altron, since 1997, were invaluable, and his presence will be greatly missed. His outstanding contributions and leadership have made a lasting impact on the technology industry and business at large,” the group said.
Venter, who was the son of Altron founder Bill Venter, died on August 6. He was CEO of the Altron Group from 2001 to 2017.
He is credited with having led the group’s acquisition strategy in the UK and Europe, as well as transitioning into a focused IT services business.
Venter stepped down after 16 years as CEO and 27 years with Altron in March 2017, electing to remain on the Altron board as nonexecutive director.
Bill Venter founded the company in 1965 and a listing on the JSE came 10 years later.
The family’s decades-long reign at Altron came to an end in December 2016 when the group reached an agreement with investment company Venture Capital Partners that saw VCP own 15% of Altron and invest R400m in the business.
The business is now barely recognisable, having staked its future on a relationship with software giant Microsoft, the growth of cloud services and partnerships in the automotive sector.
“Robbie was a remarkable colleague, gentleman and patriot who, through his career, has left an indelible mark on Altron and the broader SA business community,” the VCP team made up of Antony Ball, Sam Sithole and Tapiwa Ngara told Business Day on Wednesday.
“Our deepest condolences to his wife Sarah, his daughters Caitlin and Kristen, his father Dr Bill and siblings, as well as to all his former colleagues and associates who share in this loss.”
VCP made its initial investment in Altron in 2016.
Update: August 7 2024 This story has been updated with new information and comment.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
‘Remarkable colleague, gentleman and patriot’: Former Altron boss Robbie Venter dies
Altron has announced that its former CEO and nonexecutive director Robbie Venter has died.
“Robbie was truly a remarkable individual, steadfast in his commitment, generously sharing his wisdom and experience as a valued member of the Altron Board,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday.
“His contributions to Altron, since 1997, were invaluable, and his presence will be greatly missed. His outstanding contributions and leadership have made a lasting impact on the technology industry and business at large,” the group said.
Venter, who was the son of Altron founder Bill Venter, died on August 6. He was CEO of the Altron Group from 2001 to 2017.
He is credited with having led the group’s acquisition strategy in the UK and Europe, as well as transitioning into a focused IT services business.
Venter stepped down after 16 years as CEO and 27 years with Altron in March 2017, electing to remain on the Altron board as nonexecutive director.
Bill Venter founded the company in 1965 and a listing on the JSE came 10 years later.
The family’s decades-long reign at Altron came to an end in December 2016 when the group reached an agreement with investment company Venture Capital Partners that saw VCP own 15% of Altron and invest R400m in the business.
The business is now barely recognisable, having staked its future on a relationship with software giant Microsoft, the growth of cloud services and partnerships in the automotive sector.
“Robbie was a remarkable colleague, gentleman and patriot who, through his career, has left an indelible mark on Altron and the broader SA business community,” the VCP team made up of Antony Ball, Sam Sithole and Tapiwa Ngara told Business Day on Wednesday.
“Our deepest condolences to his wife Sarah, his daughters Caitlin and Kristen, his father Dr Bill and siblings, as well as to all his former colleagues and associates who share in this loss.”
VCP made its initial investment in Altron in 2016.
Update: August 7 2024
This story has been updated with new information and comment.
mackenziej@arena.africa
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Karooooo positive about SA’s economic prospects
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