After a decade at the helm of JG Afrika, Paul Olivier has stepped down as Managing Director (MD) of the esteemed 100-year-old multidisciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy. He hands over leadership to Phakamile Ngqumshe, ensuring the firm continues its legacy of innovation and excellence in infrastructure and environmental solutions.
A Legacy of Leadership and Growth
Olivier leaves behind a legacy of robust leadership and strategic growth. One of the defining moments of his tenure was rebranding the company from Jeffares & Green to JG Afrika, reinforcing its deep-rooted presence in Africa. With a commitment to sustainable engineering solutions, the firm has consistently delivered high-quality infrastructure projects across the continent.
Under his leadership, JG Afrika remained proudly South African despite industry shifts where many local firms were acquired by international companies. The company’s shareholders remained steadfast in their vision to sustain an independent, home-grown engineering and environmental consultancy known for quality-driven solutions.
“Throughout my tenure, South Africa’s engineering industry has faced significant challenges. However, JG Afrika’s shareholders have remained resilient in staying true to our roots. My role as MD was to harness this passion and align it with our long-term strategy,” Olivier reflects.
Quality at the Core of JG Afrika
A hallmark of Olivier’s leadership was his unwavering commitment to engineering excellence. He coined the phrase “quality is in our DNA,” a mantra that has driven JG Afrika’s success. The firm’s focus on quality has sometimes come at the expense of profit but has ultimately strengthened client trust and long-term partnerships. This ethos has fostered employee loyalty, with many team members boasting long-service track records.
Olivier ensured that all employees were aligned with JG Afrika’s growth strategy, maintaining stability and consistency while adjusting focus areas annually to achieve the company’s long-term objectives.
Embracing Change and Innovation
Throughout his 40-year career at JG Afrika, Olivier recognised the importance of adapting to change. Initially set on a career in structural engineering, he was offered an opportunity in the firm’s roads division. Embracing this unexpected shift, he excelled in road engineering and later established JG Afrika’s Roads Pavement Division. The rest is history, considering the firm’s standing as a leader in road rehabilitation in southern Africa with Olivier, himself, widely acknowledged as an expert in the field.
During his tenure, JG Afrika expanded its service offerings to some 25 disciplines, demonstrating its agility in responding to market needs. “When I joined, we specialised in only a handful of disciplines. By diversifying over the last 40 years, we strengthened our ability to better navigate economic downturns and capitalise on opportunities during growth cycles,” Olivier explains.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for JG Afrika
As Olivier steps down, JG Afrika is poised for its next growth phase, having already established a presence in high-growth international markets like the Middle East while maintaining its commitment to African infrastructure development.
Offering advice to his successor, Olivier states, “Never be afraid to make decisions in the best interest of JG Afrika. The business must keep evolving. Always analyse every situation with a clear and calm mind.”
Though stepping away from his role as MD, Olivier remains deeply passionate about engineering. He will continue contributing as a consultant on JG Afrika projects and engaging with longstanding clients, ensuring continuity and knowledge transfer. With more time for his family, travel, and personal hobbies, he looks forward to the next chapter of his career and life.
JG Afrika remains strategically positioned to help address South Africa’s infrastructure challenges, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted engineering consultancy committed to quality, sustainability, and innovation.