Johan de Graaf

Chief Executive Officer @ Impact Investment Partners

About

I am a purpose driven, strategic leader in natural resource-based industries, with 20 years of impact in vertically integrated agribusinesses and forestry companies. An experienced executive in a leading global avocado and fresh fruit Group, with last 6 years as Group CEO at one of the largest private industrial timber companies in Africa. A rare skillset, with deep expertise at the intersection of natural capital, strategy, impact investment, innovation and ESG. Experienced in board leadership as executive chairperson, executive director and non-executive director, applying best governance practices to listed company standards. Initiated and successfully concluded complex ZAR 1 billion investment and unbundling deals with private equity firms and global Development Finance Institutions (DFI). Demonstrated success in debt raising, due diligence, mergers and acquisitions. Conceptualized ground breaking new strategies and delivered exceptional results in capital-intensive businesses. Proven ability to create impact in high growth fresh fruit industries, as well as the rejuvenation of mature timber industries. Delivered world class ESG programs, best annual financial performance, as well as best annual health and safety achievements in Group history during his tenure as CEO. Secured research funding, delivered new innovations, acquired and developed plant-based intellectual property. Now focused on advisory and non-executive roles in agriculture, forestry, research and related natural capital markets.

Country

South Africa

City

City of Johannesburg

Industry

Paper & Forest Products

Skill

Corporate Governance, Strategic Negotiations, Market Development, Community Development, Financial Analysis, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Investment Management, Engineering, C-Level Leadership, Sales, Executive Team, Business Development, Export Operations, International Trade, Entomology, Agriculture, Economics, Fruit, Crop Protection, Agribusiness

Experience

Chief Executive Officer

Impact Investment Partners

2025-11 - Present · 11 mos

Pretoria

Group Chief Executive Officer

Merensky Timber

2020-2 - 2025-10 · 5 yrs 9 mos

Johannesburg Metropolitan Area

Successfully lead Merensky through Covid pandemic and substantially improved esg performance. Engrained purpose and values into org culture and substantially improved health and safety performance. Changed strategy to leverage strengths, and addressed non-performing business units. Developed group as largest solid wood export supplier in South Africa. Delivered most profitable year in history. Unbundled the group from the holdings company HMH, attracting new investors and strengthening the balance sheet by over zar1.2bn. Guided group through electricity, flooding and logistics crises in South Africa, trade barriers, 15 year high interest rates and 30 year low in local residential construction. Greatly facilitated closing out of government contractual commitments with communities outstanding for more than 2 decades - first in industry. Established new international operations, and driving corporate strategy with new acquisitions underway…

Executive Manager: Merensky Timber (Pty) Ltd

Merensky Timber

2019-1 - 2020-1 · 1 yr 1 mo

Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa

Responsible for Merensky Timber profit and loss, reporting to the HMH Group CEO

Group Executive: Strategy and Innovation

Hans Merensky Holdings (HMH)

2017-2 - 2018-12 · 1 yr 11 mos

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Responsible for HMH group strategy and innovation working closely with, and reporting to the HMH Group CEO. Delivered transformative m&a deals, organic growth and new IP as member of hmh exco.

Group Executive: Innovation and subsidiary Executive manager

Hans Merensky Holdings (HMH)

2014-4 - 2017-1 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Parktown, Johannesburg

Created value in the HMH Group with new innovations in the fields of fruit and timber. Acting as Merensky Timber (Pty) Ltd executive leader responsible for profit and loss from March 2015-September 2016. Reported to the HMH Group Ceo and served on hmh exco

General Manager: Research, Development, Environment and Forest planning

Merensky Timber

2011-7 - 2014-3 · 2 yrs 9 mos

Bedfordview, Johannesburg

Responsible for development and execution of the strategy and budget. Research and development (forestry, processing and product development), as well as technical services such as forestry planning and environmental matters. Delivered ground breaking new forestry strategy and acquired new strategic new IP. Mancom member working closely with and reporting to MD of Merensky timber.

Research Manager: Westfalia Technological Services

Westfalia Fruit

2009-1 - 2011-6 · 2 yrs 6 mos

Pretoria/Tzaneen

Developed Ip and innovations through research and product development in the fields of entomology, phytosanitary research, plant pathology, horticultural science and quality assurance for Westfalia. Market development and resolving international phytosanitary trade barriers through research co-ordination and extensive trade and political engagements. Opened one new fruit import market for South African subtropical fruit and set platform to access to markets like the US, India, China and Japan. Reported to the general manager of Westfalia and worked closely with the CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers Association.

Co-ordinator: Phytosanitary research and development

Westfalia Fruit

2006-1 - 2008-12 · 3 yrs

Tzaneen

The main purpose is to open new fruit export and import markets for Westfalia/South Africa. Developed and implemented the Westfalia research program aimed at overcoming phytosanitary trade barriers, covering individual research, industry research, program staff and budget management, as well as liason/negotiation with external trade and government parties. Reported to the General Manager of Westfalia