Daily Star | Kroll Strengthens South African Restructuring Team with Three Senior Hires

Johannesburg - Kroll has enhanced its advisory team in South Africa by appointing Jo Mitchell-Marais and Ken Afrah as managing directors, along with Gregor Böttcher as director, in its Cape Town and Johannesburg offices.

Kroll is a prominent independent provider of global financial and risk advisory solutions.

These appointments signify an increasing demand for expertise in restructuring and special situations, while bolstering Kroll's capacity to assist corporates, lenders, and investors through intricate restructurings in sub-Saharan Africa.

Jason Kardachi, Global Co-Head of Restructuring at Kroll, operating from Grand Cayman, stated: "We merge strong local knowledge with global outreach and robust connections across legal and financial realms to aid clients facing more complex circumstances."

Jo Mitchell-Marais is both a Business Rescue Practitioner and a restructuring expert with over 20 years of extensive local and international experience.

Most recently, she established and led a restructuring team at a leading financial services firm, providing solutions throughout the continent.

Jo holds the position of Chairperson of SARIPA.

Ken Afrah joins Kroll with a 15-year background in restructuring and financial advisory, acquired across the UK and Africa.

Ken previously held the position of Partner in a leading turnaround and restructuring practice in Africa, where he oversaw several prominent mandates.

Gregor Böttcher contributes more than ten years of experience in restructuring, operational performance enhancement, and intricate stakeholder management.

Gregor is the Chairman of the Western Cape Regional Board and serves as a National Board Member of SARIPA, the Southern African Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioners Association.

They will collaborate with existing Managing Directors Stefan Smyth and Alison Timme, and Director Wessel de Jager.

This senior-led team has provided counsel on some of South Africa's most intricate restructurings, including the successful business rescue of Ster-Kinekor.

The expanded team will leverage Kroll's broader capabilities across Africa, including its Investigations Diligence and Compliance (IDC practice), overseen by Oliver Stern, in addition to Asset Recovery and Fund Solutions expertise.

"Cross-border capital flows and increasing financial connectivity with Asia are presenting both opportunities and challenges," remarks Stefan Smyth, Managing Director at Kroll.

"Concurrently, South Africa's economy is modernizing, de-industrialization is accelerating, and clients are facing inflationary pressures alongside softer consumer spending.

"We're committed to helping clients protect, restore, and maximize value amid these circumstances."

These appointments come as Kroll continues its regional expansion, including the recent opening of its Mauritius office in 2025, led by Luvy Thacoor.

Smyth concluded: "We are thrilled to welcome Jo, Ken, and Gregor to Kroll and eagerly anticipate building on our momentum in South Africa and throughout the continent."