Fashion retailer TFG has appointed Bridgitte Backman, currently a deputy commissioner at the SA Revenue Service (SARS), to its board of directors as an independent nonexecutive director.
Her appointment takes effect from September after her term at SARS concludes in August, the company said on Thursday.
Backman will also join TFG’s social and ethics committee. The group said she brought extensive experience across sectors including fast-moving consumer goods, energy, development finance, innovation, sustainability and corporate affairs.
She holds a BSc in chemistry and an MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management, with additional academic affiliations to the Cambridge and Oxford universities.
Her appointment forms part of a broader reshuffle at TFG as the group progresses with its board renewal strategy, which includes the implementation of a policy that limits independent director status to a maximum tenure of 12 years.
Long-serving directors such as Michael Lewis, Ronnie Stein and Eddy Oblowitz have been reclassified as nonexecutive directors.
TFG has also appointed Gcina Zondi, who serves on many boards including RCL Foods, as an independent nonexecutive director . Zondi will chair the risk committee and serve on the social and ethics committee.
“The appointment of Gcina and Bridgitte will strengthen the board’s skills and independence. The board looks forward to welcoming both Gcina and Bridgitte to the group and to their contributions to the board.”
The board changes also include new committee appointments, a reshuffling of leadership roles within the audit, risk, remuneration and nomination committees, and the planned retirement of non-executive director Doug Murray following the group’s AGM in September.
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