The Rockwood team has been deliberately constructed to contain individuals from diverse
backgrounds but with extensive experience in their respective disciplines pertaining to
private equity.
Andrew Dewar
Managing Partner
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting degree from the
University of Witwatersrand and is a member of the South African Institute
of Chartered Accountants.
Andrew joined the Investment team in May 2006 as Principal and is
now the Managing Partner of Rockwood.
Since joining, Andy has been extensively involved in sourcing and executing investments.
He serves on the board of Enviroserv.
Prior to this, he was a partner at KPMG where he was involved with the Transaction
Services Team.
Gareth Druce
Partner
Gareth holds a Bachelor of Science Honors degree in Business Economics and
Accounting from the University of Southhampton and is a member of the
England and Wales Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Gareth joined the company in 2008 and is responsible for operational and financial
matters as well as investor relations.
Since joining, Gareth has been extensively involved in portfolio management and
valuations. He serves on the board of Kwikspace.
Gareth became a Chartered Accountant at KPMG in London in 1996, before moving to
South Africa in 1997, specialising in Corporate Finance at KPMG Johannesburg. He
joined BHP Billiton in 2000 and was the Manager for Corporate Finance, South Africa
and subsequently worked in their Business Economics and Evaluation team. In 2003
Gareth set up and managed a number of small businesses before rejoining KPMG in
2005 as the Head of Business Development: Tax and Legal, focusing on the Private
Equity clients of the firm. Prior to joining Absa Capital Private Equity Gareth
was the COO of the Private Equity Group of KPMG in South Africa.
Peter Mason
Partner
Peter holds Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws degrees from the
University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, a Diploma in Advanced Banking from RAU
and is an admitted attorney.
Peter joined Rockwood in 2015 in the role of Counsel. Prior to that he was a director
in the Banking and Finance Department of Werksmans Attorneys. Before joining Werksmans
in late 2013, Peter was a Managing Director and General Counsel of Absa Capital
Corporate and Investment Banking Division across Africa. At Absa he was a member
of the Investment Banking Executive Committee and the Africa Legal Executive Committee.
He advised the bank as lead counsel on many funding, private equity and debt restructure
transactions.
Prior to Absa Peter held various senior positions in the Nedbank Corporate Banking
division and in Nedbank Capital. He embarked on a banking career after serving
as a director for a number of years in the Johannesburg based commercial law firm
Jowell Glyn and Marais.
Naseem Hassan
Portfolio Manager
Naseem holds a Postgraduate Bachelor of Commerce Honors degree from the
University of Johannesburg. He completed his MBA at WITS Business School,
where he was placed on the Dean’s list. He is a member of South African
Institute of Chartered Accountants. Naseem is a CFA level 3 candidate.
Naseem joined the team in 2016 as a portfolio manager. He will be assisting the
partners across the portfolio and serves on the board of Bravo.
Prior to joining Rockwood Naseem spent 5 years at BHP Billiton and South 32 as
an investment and valuation specialist. He was responsible for financial valuations,
financial modelling and investment analysis supporting strategic decision making
at BHP Billiton’s South African businesses.
Prior to joining BHP Billiton, Naseem was a senior manager at KPMG
Corporate Finance, within the M&A equity capital markets team. He was
responsible for financial valuations, M&A, JSE transaction advisory and
capital raisings. He contributed towards business development of the equity
capital markets team and gained the JSE approved executive accreditation.
Prior to KPMG Naseem spent time at Merchantec Capital as a corporate finance
analyst where he gained experience in capital raisings, new listings onto the
JSE and financial valuations.
Susan Rose
Portfolio Manager and ESG Officer
Susan holds a Bachelor of Business Science, Finance Honours degree from the
University of Cape Town.
Susan joined Rockwood in 2014 as the ESG and Compliance Officer.
Susan manages ESG at the portfolio companies, is regularly engaged with the HarbourVest
and Coller Capitals ESG teams and participates in a number of ESG and Impact working
groups. In 2017 Susan took on the added responsibility of portfolio manager and
has assisted with various value add initiatives across the portfolio. She currently
sits on the board of Kwikspace and chairs the Kwikspace Social and Ethics Committee.
Susan was promoted to Principle in February 2021.
Anita Lindeque
Personal Assistant
Anita has been part of the Private Equity team since 2008. She is the personal
assistant for the team and helps to ensure the business runs smoothly.
Anita has worked in the financial industry for 20 years, gaining most of her experience
in Corporate Finance and Private Equity. Anita was the personal assistant to the
head of Corporate Finance at ABSA Capital, Tommy Edmond and then Craig Brewer,
for 13 years.
Nanda Kunene
Personal Assistant
Nanda has been part of the Private Equity team since 2005. She is the team
admin assistant.
Nanda has worked in the financial industry for 9 years, most of her experience
in Private Equity.
Leslie van Niekerk
Deal Executive and Portfolio Manager
Leslie holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from Fordham
University, Gabelli School of Business. She also holds a Bachelor of
Business Science, a Finance and Accounting Honours degree from the
University of Cape Town.
Leslie joined the team in 2021. Her position at Rockwood is as a deal executive
and portfolio manager.
Prior to joining Rockwood, Leslie worked as a Corporate Finance advisor in PwC’s
M&A and Valuations teams. She executed transactions for public, private, and
family-owned enterprises across industries including logistics, manufacturing,
and agriculture. Leslie’s experience includes managing cross-border transactions,
building transaction models, negotiating deal parameters, and originating international
consumer and healthcare deals for South African investors.
Since joining Rockwood, Leslie has been extensively involved in the portfolio management
of Global Roofing Solutions and Prominent Paints. She has also served as a member
on the Audit and Risk and Social and Ethics Committees.