Brian Menell
Encyclopedia
Brian Menell is a South African businessman with interests in mining
, oil
, gas
, precious metals, diamonds, energy infrastructure and wine
.
and industrial groups of companies.
Brian is the son of the noted philanthropist
and businessman, Clive Menell, who died in 1996. Brian Menell and his brother Rick retained control of Anglovaal Mining until its sale in 2001 to create the largest South African empowerment controlled company, African Rainbow Minerals
.
He was previously a partner in control and Executive Director
of Anglovaal Mining (Pty) Ltd., a Director of Anglovaal Holdings (Pty) Ltd. and of Anglovaal Industries (Pty) Ltd., with extensive precious metal
, base metal
, ferrous metal and diamond
interests across Southern Africa
. Prior to joining his family controlled Anglovaal Group, he worked for the De Beers Group in London
, Antwerp and Windhoek
. He is also a former Chairman of Energem Resources Inc. and a former Chairman of First Africa Oil Plc.
, construction
, steel
, food processing
, car tyres, consumer electronics
and financial services
), and through Anglovaal Mining Pty Ltd (gold, platinum, copper, manganese, iron ore, nickel and diamonds). The Group was listed in Johannesburg and London but controlled by the founding families. At its peak the Group employed some 85,000 people and had a market capital of +/- $2.5bn.
In 1999 the industrial interests were unbundled (as AVI and AVENG) with Brian and Rick Menell retaining control of the mining interests (AVMIN) with the subsequent sale of their controlling interest in 2001 to Anglo American Plc.
As an Executive Director
of AVMIN, Brian Menell managed the sale to DeBeers of Anglovaal’s 50% interest in the Venetia mine (South Africa’s largest diamond mine) for $600m. This remains DeBeer’s biggest ever corporate acquisition. Brian also lead the hostile bid for ISCOR (the former South African State Steel, Iron Ore and Coal company) in partnership with the parastatal investment company, IDC. This lead in 2006 to the break-up of ISCOR and to the creation of Kumba, Exxaro and Mital Iscor Steel.
auto racing series, which was billed as “the world cup of sports”. He discontinued all direct involvement with A1 Grand Prix in 2007.
A1 Grand Prix
(A1GP) was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport".
The series was ratified by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
(FIA) and races were held in the traditional Formula One
off-season, the northern hemisphere winter.
The nation-based A1GP concept was founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of Dubai
, initially in 2003.
After a successful first season of A1GP, it was announced on 29 September 2006 that Maktoum was to sell his position as Chairman & Director of A1GP.
The transfer of his share in the organisation of A1 Grand Prix
to RAB Capital was finalised in December 2006. The series completed four seasons and attracted large audiences, particularly in emerging markets. Some twenty-three national teams raced in eleven countries. There are currently plans for the next A1 Grand Prix to take place in the 2011-2012 season.
When the venture launched, it attracted positive attention, most notably from Nelson Mandela
who received Menell and his two guests, Ronaldo
and Luis Figo
, at his home. Mandela expressed his pride at South Africa’s progress since the end of the Apartheid and he also claimed his support for South African entry into the A1 Grand Prix.
Nelson Mandela
also offered the A1 Grand Prix
and Brian Menell his blessing and lent his support for the concept of a South African driver and team able to compete equally against other nations.
The Menell family’s connections to Nelson Mandela
extend further than his endorsement of the A1 Grand Prix
. Clive Menell was the founding Deputy Chairman of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and his widow, Irene Menell, sits on the boards of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the READ Educational Trust.
http://za.linkedin.com/in/brianmenell
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
, oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, gas
Gas
Gas is one of the three classical states of matter . Near absolute zero, a substance exists as a solid. As heat is added to this substance it melts into a liquid at its melting point , boils into a gas at its boiling point, and if heated high enough would enter a plasma state in which the electrons...
, precious metals, diamonds, energy infrastructure and wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
.
Early life
Brian Menell's grandfather, Slip Menell, was the co-founder in 1932 of the Anglovaal Group, one of South Africa's largest diversified miningMining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and industrial groups of companies.
Brian is the son of the noted philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
and businessman, Clive Menell, who died in 1996. Brian Menell and his brother Rick retained control of Anglovaal Mining until its sale in 2001 to create the largest South African empowerment controlled company, African Rainbow Minerals
African Rainbow Minerals
African Rainbow Minerals is a mining company based in South Africa. Patrice Motsepe is chairman; André Wilkens is CEO.ARM has interests in a wide range of mines, including platinum and PGMs, iron, coal, copper, and gold. ARM's Goedgevonden coalmine near Witbank is a flagship of their joint venture...
.
Business career
Brian Menell serves as a Director of Kemet Global Ltd., Shore Gold Inc., Glendirk Estate, PTY Ltd., Armstrong Financial Inc. and TINCO Ltd.He was previously a partner in control and Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of Anglovaal Mining (Pty) Ltd., a Director of Anglovaal Holdings (Pty) Ltd. and of Anglovaal Industries (Pty) Ltd., with extensive precious metal
Precious metal
A precious metal is a rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value.Chemically, the precious metals are less reactive than most elements, have high lustre, are softer or more ductile, and have higher melting points than other metals...
, base metal
Base metal
In chemistry, the term base metal is used informally to refer to a metal that oxidizes or corrodes relatively easily, and reacts variably with diluted hydrochloric acid to form hydrogen. Examples include iron, nickel, lead and zinc...
, ferrous metal and diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
interests across Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
. Prior to joining his family controlled Anglovaal Group, he worked for the De Beers Group in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Antwerp and Windhoek
Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...
. He is also a former Chairman of Energem Resources Inc. and a former Chairman of First Africa Oil Plc.
Anglovaal
The Anglovaal Group was a diversified South African Mining House. Interests were held through Anglovaal Industries Pty Ltd. (cementCement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
, construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
, steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
, food processing
Food processing
Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food or to transform food into other forms for consumption by humans or animals either in the home or by the food processing industry...
, car tyres, consumer electronics
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are electronic equipment intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver...
and financial services
Financial services
Financial services refer to services provided by the finance industry. The finance industry encompasses a broad range of organizations that deal with the management of money. Among these organizations are credit unions, banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, consumer finance companies,...
), and through Anglovaal Mining Pty Ltd (gold, platinum, copper, manganese, iron ore, nickel and diamonds). The Group was listed in Johannesburg and London but controlled by the founding families. At its peak the Group employed some 85,000 people and had a market capital of +/- $2.5bn.
In 1999 the industrial interests were unbundled (as AVI and AVENG) with Brian and Rick Menell retaining control of the mining interests (AVMIN) with the subsequent sale of their controlling interest in 2001 to Anglo American Plc.
As an Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of AVMIN, Brian Menell managed the sale to DeBeers of Anglovaal’s 50% interest in the Venetia mine (South Africa’s largest diamond mine) for $600m. This remains DeBeer’s biggest ever corporate acquisition. Brian also lead the hostile bid for ISCOR (the former South African State Steel, Iron Ore and Coal company) in partnership with the parastatal investment company, IDC. This lead in 2006 to the break-up of ISCOR and to the creation of Kumba, Exxaro and Mital Iscor Steel.
A1 Grand Prix
In 2004, Brian Menell was involved in the initial set up of the A1 Grand PrixA1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
auto racing series, which was billed as “the world cup of sports”. He discontinued all direct involvement with A1 Grand Prix in 2007.
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
(A1GP) was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport".
The series was ratified by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
(FIA) and races were held in the traditional Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
off-season, the northern hemisphere winter.
The nation-based A1GP concept was founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, initially in 2003.
After a successful first season of A1GP, it was announced on 29 September 2006 that Maktoum was to sell his position as Chairman & Director of A1GP.
The transfer of his share in the organisation of A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
to RAB Capital was finalised in December 2006. The series completed four seasons and attracted large audiences, particularly in emerging markets. Some twenty-three national teams raced in eleven countries. There are currently plans for the next A1 Grand Prix to take place in the 2011-2012 season.
When the venture launched, it attracted positive attention, most notably from Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
who received Menell and his two guests, Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the...
and Luis Figo
Luís Figo
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
, at his home. Mandela expressed his pride at South Africa’s progress since the end of the Apartheid and he also claimed his support for South African entry into the A1 Grand Prix.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
also offered the A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
and Brian Menell his blessing and lent his support for the concept of a South African driver and team able to compete equally against other nations.
The Menell family’s connections to Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
extend further than his endorsement of the A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
. Clive Menell was the founding Deputy Chairman of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and his widow, Irene Menell, sits on the boards of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the READ Educational Trust.
External links
http://www.brianmenellgroup.orghttp://za.linkedin.com/in/brianmenell