Debmarine Namibia welcomes Willy Mertens
The new chief executive officer enjoys maths
Debmarine Namibia has appointed Willy Mertens as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 November.
Mertens will succeed Otto Shikongo, who retires from the business at the end of this year, having been at the helm since 1 January 2004.Mertens completed his secondary school at Elle du Plessis High School in 1993 with a distinction in mathematics.
He then completed his bachelor’s degree, majoring in accounting, auditing, and economics, at the University of Namibia (Unam) in 1996.
In addition to his chartered accounting training, he also holds a post-graduate diploma in engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, as well as numerous professional executives training qualifications, including from the London Business School.
Mertens is dedicated to God, a proud husband, father and Namibian, and a runner and a footballer.
"Not only does Mertens have a deep understanding of our business, he also has an acute appreciation of the strategic role of Debmarine Namibia within the broader context of Namibia," said Debmarine Namibia board chairperson, Ndeulipula Hamutumwa.
Mertens is currently the chief financial officer of Debmarine Namibia with oversight accountability for Namdeb Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
He is a chartered accountant by training and brings to his new role a wealth of corporate experience spanning more than 20 years.
Praises
Hamutumwa said that they are pleased to announce the appointment of Willy Mertens as CEO.
"I extend my sincere appreciation to Otto Shikongo, who has played a pivotal role in making Debmarine Namibia the world-class leader it is today. On behalf of everyone at De Beers Group, I thank Otto for his 35 years of outstanding service. At the same time, we are delighted that Willy will succeed Otto.”
"Willy has been a key member of the Debmarine Namibia leadership team for the last 10 years, and I look forward to his leadership as CEO," Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said.
Under Shikongo’s leadership, Debmarine Namibia has become a recognised world-class company; an aspect of immense pride for all of Debmarine Namibia.
His many achievements include the migration of the business from South Africa to Namibia in 2001, the acquisition of a world-class diamond recovery fleet, including the custom-built mv SS Nujoma, the world’s first custom-built marine diamond sampling vessel, and the recently inaugurated, Benguela Gem, the world’s largest diamond recovery vessel.