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Ashley Francis
Speaker
Ashley Francis
Executive Director: Finance, University of Cape Town
- BCompt (Honours) CTA - UNISA
- Chartered Accountant (SA) – SAICA
Ashley completed his five-year article period at Penkin, Zeller & Karro in Cape Town. He then joined Gross Hendler & Frank, where he expanded his auditing and accounting training as Audit Manager for an additional period of four years. The following seven years were spent in the Fishing Industry in various financial positions, including Systems Accountant, Management Accountant and Financial Manager.
In January 2001, Ashley joined the V&A Waterfront group in the position of Chief Financial Executive. Ashley played a pivotal role in finalising the sale of the Waterfront Group which was ultimately sold for R 7.2 billion in 2006. He left the V&A Waterfront in October 2005 and formed Biotech Fuels (Pty) Ltd, a company which produces wood pellets from waste material and then exported to Europe to be burned as an alternative to coal to make electricity. He held the position of Managing Director and Public Officer of the group. The company raised a total of R200 million during his tenure. Ashley positioned the company nationally and internationally as a meaningful participant in the renewable energy industry. Ashley eventually sold Biotech Fuels at the beginning of 2011.
In the interim formed Ashley Francis Consulting (AFC), an entity creating business and financial solutions for companies.
In September 2013 Ashley joined the University of Cape Town in the interim capacity of Finance Executive to assist in strengthening the core leadership of the finance team. With effect 1 January 2015 he was selected as the Finance Director Designate and assumed the role as Finance Director on 1 January 2016
Presentations:
- Maximising outcomes through Collaborative Partners: The UCT Food and Connect Case Study Conference Day 2
The Food and Connect brand is built around 4 pillars namely Transformation, Wellbeing, Innovative Sustainability and Scalability. Food and Connect was created to leverage the advantages that UCT could offer while operating independently.
- Innovative Collaboration through Spin-off Companies Conference Day 2