A close up of Scaw’s new CFO Christopher Davis

Chris Davis (35) has taken over the responsibility of chief financial officer and director, Scaw Metals Group, from Ian Botha who has transferred to Anglo Coal as chief financial officer.

Born and raised in Durban (South Africa), Chris completed his B.Com Degree and DipAcc at the University of Natal. During his articles with Deloitte he completed a Higher Diploma in Treasury Management through the University of South Africa.

You may know the serious, get-on-with-the-job Christopher Davis (the group’s newest chief financial officer and director) but did you know that he also has a good sense of humour? Chris told Scaw Junction:

“I was completing my articles towards my qualification as a chartered accountant at Deloitte & Touche when I met my wife Kirsty in 1997. She was a junior and reported to me – it was the only time I was the boss in our relationship!” They married in 2001, one month before Chris joined Anglo American Corporate Finance. In 2006 he was appointed head of business analysis and reporting at Anglo Platinum, working with Norman Mbazima.

TACKLING HEAD ON

As the Scaw Metals Group’s chief financial officer, Chris is tackling projects head on. “Scaw is going through a lot of change. There is a new executive team with a completely different management style. We want to define our new culture and make the group a place where everyone wants to come to work.

“However, I am impatient to get things right at Scaw and I expect high performance. My approach is balanced by the recognition that this is a learning experience, for me as well as for everyone else.

“I have seen pockets of excellence in the group and we need to replicate that throughout Scaw Metals.

“There are many Anglo initiatives that are being put in place presently that employees may perceive to be a stretch on their time. However, I strongly believe that if we can get through this growing period, the group will be better for it. We need to capitalise on Anglo’s experience and leverage off its strengths.”