JP is the founder and general manager of HANDEL, a specialist agency that focuses on business-to-business (B2B) marketing across high growth industries. HANDEL was built on the core principles of people, partnerships, accountability and execution – elements that are key to deliver a superior client experience. He is passionate, driven and results-focused and a firm believer in the power of marrying thinking and doing. JP has worked with gained extensive experience on some of South Africa and the world’s leading brands over the course of his career.His approach to commercial marketing is guided by simplicity, efficiency and creativity – all underpinned by solid business principles. JP is a proud and passionate African entrepreneur, marketing strategist and lover of good food and wine. On most days you will find him engaging in conversation on how marketing can further support and build leading brands.

JP is the Field Marketing Manager: Africa at OpenText, a global software vendor that enables organizations to gain insight through market leading information management solutions, on-premises or in the cloud. In this role, he is responsible for defining the African marketing strategy and developing tactical plans aligned to global commercial and marketing strategies.This role necessitates strong in-market execution and an equally strong strategic alignment to support the long-term growth of the OpenText business within the Emerging Market territory. In this data-driven role, JP acts as a digital transformation advocate to drive campaigns and activities that deliver on OpenText Africa’s pipeline targets.

Whilst at NetPartnering, the opportunity arose to launch a South African subsidiary for OnChannel, an Expandi Group company. JP was instrumental in the establishment of the company – ranging from all statutory elements, recruitment, infrastructure and legislative compliance – to reference a few. The local subsidiary, which formed part of the Middle East Africa hub, was profitable in its first year of operations with revenues and margins exceeding shareholder expectations.In his role as Country Manager JP was tasked with leading a cross-functional team, meeting revenue and profitability targets, business development, key client relationship management as well as overall operational responsibility. One of the most significant achievements during his time at OnChannel was the establishment of an African practice. Working closely with a highly motivated and competent team, OnChannel’s African coverage capabilities grew from nothing to covering East, West, Central and Southern Africa including the Indian Ocean Islands.

At NetPartnering JP established a new business unit focused on vendor direct marketing and developed it into a fully fledged profit centre that contributed significantly to the company’s annual revenues. In this role he was responsible for leading a high performance team, driving new business development and working within local and international virtual teams to refine existing and develop new service offerings.

• Overall business management and leadership of account team and clients• Communication strategy, planning and budget setting processes with clients• Implementing client campaigns on time and on budget while driving a culture of flawless execution • Ownership of business development within ICT portfolio as well as retention, growth and profitability of client baseClients: CA, Cisco, Intel, QAD

HP South Africa PR Team Lead

Clients: Dimension Data, MWEB Business, Microsoft