The RE/MAX of Southern Africa board of directors have appointed Jo Neser, a retired director and now executive consultant at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc, to be their new Chairman of the board, effective from 1 January 2021. As the brand’s corporate attorney for the last 25 years, Neser will no doubt add a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to the team.

Originally from Springs, Gauteng, Neser attended boarding school in Heidelberg (Gauteng) before attending Stellenbosch University to complete his BCom and LLB degrees. Thereafter, he received his HDip Tax from the University of South Africa. Beginning his career in 1980 as a candidate attorney, Neser was appointed as an associate and soon became a director of Syfret Godlonton-Fuller Moore (now Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc.).

As one of the Cape Town's leading commercial and merger and acquisition specialists, Neser has advised a number of multinational and local companies on establishing a presence in South Africa. He has also guided many companies through merger and acquisition transactions as well as joint ventures and franchise structures in South Africa, especially in the food, liquor, agriculture and publishing industries. Neser has received various national and international ratings as a commercial lawyer, including in The Legal 500 EMEA series, International Who's Who of M&A Lawyers; International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers, and International Who's Who of Business Lawyers as well as the Best Lawyers International South Africa, ratings.

Neser’s in-depth experience in advising boards and sub-committees on business and commercial transactions, corporate governance principles, regulatory requirements, reporting obligations, fiduciary duties and relationships with shareholders stands to benefit RE/MAX of Southern Africa greatly.

“I am greatly honoured to join a very capable team with who I have had to deal with on a professional basis for many years. The management team's results speak for themselves and I see my role more as a supporting one of both the board and of the brand,” says Neser.

Neser became involved with the brand 25 years ago when Peter Gilmour first introduced the RE/MAX model to South Africa. Neser helped Gilmour restructure the franchise and worked closely alongside him – and subsequently alongside Adrian Goslett (Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa) – on matters concerning the RE/MAX Corporate, Commercial and Franchise structures.

“RE/MAX is a hugely strong and recognised brand integrated with the real estate market worldwide and specifically in South Africa too, with cutting edge policies which delivers value for all the stakeholders. The brand has a great future as we have seen with the record sales for the last consecutive months of 2020. Though challenges will appear, especially at the upper end of the market owing to the pandemic and its effect on the international market, I have faith that the RE/MAX model will continue to hold strong and outperform against its competitors,” says Neser.

Speaking on behalf of the board of directors, Goslett congratulates Neser on his new position and welcomes him to the team. “We are honoured to have a man of Jo Neser’s experience and expertise join our board as we continue to navigate through these uncertain times. We look forward to many more years working alongside one another,” he concludes.