Africa-Press – South-Africa. The CEO of AECI, Holger Riemensperger, is stepping down from his role with immediate effect. He will be succeeded by Dean Murray, who will step in as interim CEO.
AECI is South Africa’s biggest explosives-maker, with businesses in Africa, Europe, South East Asia, North America, South America, and Australia.
On Wednesday, 15 October, the company announced that Riemensperger will step down from his role as CEO with immediate effect due to personal and family-related reasons.
To ensure a smooth transition, Murray, who currently serves as the Executive Vice President of AECI Chemicals, was appointed as the company’s interim CEO until a permanent successor is appointed.
Riemensperger has served as AECI’s CEO since April 2023. Prior to joining the explosives-maker, he was the COO and an executive director at German chemical company K+S Group.
He has also served in global vice president and senior management capacities at prominent companies like Bunge Loders Croklaan, BASF, Frutarom, and AkzoNobel.
“During his tenure, Mr Riemensperger delivered on the strategy with marked successes in portfolio simplification, improving operational efficiencies, driving both cost savings and debt reduction, while increasing EBITDA,” AECI chairman Philisiwe Sibiya said.
“Most recently, the company achieved a strong 132% increase in headline earnings per share in the first half of 2025 and a resumption of H1 dividend payments.”
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Mr Riemensperger for his impact and commitment to the company, which often came at great personal sacrifice, and wish him well for his future endeavours.”
The company described Murray as a highly experienced executive with over 18 years’ leadership experience at AECI.
He has a decades-long track record within AECI and the chemicals industry, having previously served as the group executive responsible for AECI Agri Health and AECI Chemicals, which were standalone businesses at the time.
“We are delighted that Mr Murray has been appointed interim CEO. He is a highly seasoned executive who knows all aspects of AECI and the chemicals business, having spent almost two decades in leadership positions within the company,” Sibiya said.
“He is supported by a strong executive team, and will continue delivering our strategy of portfolio optimisation, driving a winning culture, unlocking internal value and responsible international expansion.”
“The board is committed to finding a permanent CEO who can fully deliver on its strategy, capitalise on its best-in-class capabilities and assets, and continue to drive a culture that will deliver improved performance, growth and shareholder returns.”
AECI’s Board’s Nominations Committee, supported by a leading executive search firm, has initiated a process to identify a permanent CEO, considering both internal and external candidates.
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