Two giraffes, one young and one grown, standing together on an open road

Leadership

Stewarding the Next Chapter.

Family-owned since 1890, Halls continues to be guided by leaders committed to long-term thinking, responsible stewardship and building enduring businesses for the future.

Governance

Strong governance has always been fundamental to the way Halls operates.

Our board of directors provides oversight and strategic direction, ensuring the group is guided with integrity, accountability and a sustained focus.

As a family-owned business with more than 135 years of history, our governance reflects both modern best practice and the enduring values that have shaped Halls since 1890, supporting sustainable growth and creating lasting value for our stakeholders.

Board of Directors

  1. Non-Executive Director | Chair

    Hayley Newton-Holroyd

    Hayley Newton-Holroyd

    Non-Executive Director | Chair

    Hayley Newton-Holroyd

    Hayley is a Chartered Accountant (SA) with more than 22 years' experience at BDO, where she served as an Audit partner and later National head of business services.

    As chair of the Halls group board, she brings a strong commitment to integrity, excellence and collaborative leadership, with a passion for helping people achieve a shared purpose.

  2. Group Chief Executive Officer

    Tracey Davies

    Tracey Davies

    Group Chief Executive Officer

    Tracey Davies

    Tracey holds a BSc and Chemistry Honours degree from the University of Natal and has held senior leadership roles at Unilever, AECI and Halls. She became Group CEO in 2022 after successfully leading Deltamune and Halls Fresh Produce through significant growth and international expansion.

    She brings extensive experience in strategy, innovation and global business, with a focus on building purpose driven, high-performing teams and creating long-term value that is good for the people and the planet.

  3. Non-Executive Director

    Mark Forrester

    Mark Forrester

    Non-Executive Director

    Mark Forrester

    Mark is an entrepreneur and investor with a background in technology and digital businesses. He founded and later sold WooThemes, creators of WooCommerce, before becoming an early-stage investor and advisor to South African start-ups.

    A descendant of HL Hall, Mark joined the Halls group board in 2019, bringing expertise in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

  4. Non-Executive Director

    Duncan Harrison

    Duncan Harrison

    Non-Executive Director

    Duncan Harrison

    Duncan combines expertise in science, finance and governance, holding an MSc in Biochemistry and qualified as a Chartered Accountant before specialising in enterprise risk and strategy consulting.

    He joined the Halls group board in 2004 and brings extensive experience in governance, risk management and strategic oversight.

  5. Non-Executive Director

    Poloko Leotlela

    Poloko Leotlela

    Non-Executive Director

    Poloko Leotlela

    Poloko began his career as a molecular genetics’ scientist, completing a doctorate at the University of Oxford before transitioning into strategy consulting and corporate governance.

    He joined the Halls group board through Deltamune in 2015 and brings deep expertise in governance, healthcare and business strategy.

  6. Non-Executive Director

    Jono Swart

    Jono Swart

    Non-Executive Director

    Jono Swart

    Jono is a Chartered Accountant with extensive leadership experience across agriculture, forestry and manufacturing. He has also founded and led businesses focused on water- and energy-saving technologies.

    A member of the Halls group board since 2001, he contributes broad commercial experience with a strong focus on sustainable business development.

  7. Non-Executive Director

    Alastair Bruce

    Alastair Bruce

    Non-Executive Director

    Alastair Bruce

    Alastair holds BA and MA degrees from the University of Oxford and a C-IDP in Corporate Governance from INSEAD. He has held executive and board roles across consumer goods, technology and digital businesses in Europe, the US and Africa, and currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director on several boards, including a fourth-generation global family-owned business.

    He joined the Halls board in 2026, bringing expertise in strategy, digital transformation, sustainable growth and corporate governance.

  8. Group Chief Financial Officer

    John Williams

    John Williams

    Group Chief Financial Officer

    John Williams

    John qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG before joining Lightstone as Group CFO in 2011. He moved into the Halls Group in 2016, where he now leads the group's finance function.

    He brings extensive expertise in finance, strategy and governance, alongside a strong commitment to education and community development.

Management Team

  1. | Group Chief Executive Officer

    Tracey Davies

    Tracey Davies

    | Group Chief Executive Officer

    Tracey Davies

    Tracey holds a BSc and Chemistry Honours degree from the University of Natal and has held senior leadership roles at Unilever, AECI and Halls. She became Group CEO in 2022 after successfully leading Deltamune and Halls Fresh Produce through significant growth and international expansion.

    She brings extensive experience in strategy, innovation and global business, with a focus on building purpose driven, high-performing teams and creating long-term value that is good for the people and the planet.

  2. Chief Executive Officer | Halls Fresh Produce

    Ayanda Kanana

    Ayanda Kanana

    Chief Executive Officer | Halls Fresh Produce

    Ayanda Kanana

    Ayanda is a Chartered Accountant who has held senior leadership roles across both the public and private sectors, including the City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Market and the Land Bank of South Africa.

    He joined Halls in 2022 as CEO of Halls Fresh Produce, bringing extensive experience in governance, transformation and leading organisations through periods of growth and change.

  3. Chief Executive Officer | Coaxle

    Pieter Wessels

    Pieter Wessels

    Chief Executive Officer | Coaxle

    Pieter Wessels

    Pieter has built his career across insurance, financial services and technology, holding senior leadership positions at Hollard, WheelsWeb and Lightstone. His experience spans strategy, innovation and business growth.

    Appointed CEO of Coaxle in 2024, Pieter leads the group's technology and data businesses, driving innovation and delivering solutions across multiple industries.

  4. Group Chief Financial Officer

    John Williams

    John Williams

    Group Chief Financial Officer

    John Williams

    John qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG before joining Lightstone as Group CFO in 2011. He moved into the Halls Group in 2016, where he now leads the Group's finance function.

    He brings extensive expertise in finance, strategy and governance, alongside a strong commitment to education and community development.

The principles that guide our leadership, shape our decisions and support long-term success.

  1. 01 — We lead with intent, purpose and integrity
  2. 02 — We are collaborative — success is built on trusted relationships
  3. 03 — We learn and grow to unlock potential — in ourselves and others
  4. 04 — We are resilient, courageous and agile
  5. 05 — We think long term, act timeously and take ownership
  6. 06 — We are creative, pioneering and challenge the status quo