AEL's executive team comprises four business executives covering the South African Narrow Reef, South African Surface, African and International businesses, as well as four service executives comprising Operations, Business Services, Cutting Edge R&D and Finance.

This structure reflects:

• the strategic intent of the business
• a flatter structure for improved communication and leadership
• the co-ordination and integration of the 16 businesses within the organisation

AEL's executive team:

Managing Director: Tobie Louw

Tobie first joined AEL in 1988 and returned in 2008 as AEL's managing director. He has extensive experience in operations, sales and business management in the explosives, food ingredients and chemicals industries. Specific interests cover business growth, organisational design, product innovation, internationalisation and acquisitions.

Business Director: International - Colin Wilson

Liesel is AEL’s business director responsible for Southern Africa. After completing her studies she joined the company in 1987 and gained experience in the areas of engineering, information technology, supply chain and strategic planning before joining the marketing function and taking up the position of business director Narrow Reef in September 2005. This portfolio was expanded to include all underground and surface mining in Southern Africa during July 2009.

Wayne joined the company from the narrow reef mining industry in 1993. He has managed regional sales areas, strategic projects like value added blasting interventions, value added services, account management, business management and was appointed Managing Director of Central Africa in 2003. He returned to AEL South Africa to join the executive committee as director Business Services in November 2008, which is a group role managing commercial explosives, initiating systems and nitrates, product development, global equipment services, global supply chain, mining optimisation, and company marketing and communications.

Cyril joined AEL in 2002 as operations director. His background and experience are in engineering, projects, manufacturing and operations. In addition to the above-mentioned degrees, he also has a qualification in labour law.

Executive Director: Cutting Edge R&D - Piet Halliday
BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD

DAs director of research and development, Piet has overall responsibility for the technical aspects of AEL's products worldwide. He joined the company in 1980 after completing a PhD in the synthesis of high-energy sensitisers for explosives.

Group Financial Director - Rafael Fernandes
CA (SA), ACMA (UK)

Rafael was appointed AEL’s financial controller in 2007 and subsequently financial director in 2008. He joined the company in 1996 as financial manager of a wholly-owned subsidiary. He moved to AEL’s head office as finance manager and, thereafter, became business accountant. He left in 2001, returning to AEL two years later, where he continued to provide financial and management support to sales and marketing business units. He is responsible for finance, information technology and legal.