Freddie Edward Cloete
CFO
"I am a family man and nothing gives me more pleasure to spend time with my children and grandkids. We make every opportunity we can get count, to get together as a family and do a lot of fun activities. While I was a full time partner at KPMG I did not always have much time to spend with them. The grand kids love animals, especially dogs, and tend to spend a lot of time with them. One of them recently adopted a bunny and it gives me much joy to see how he cares for it. The Art of Serendipity gives me an opportunity to help make the world a healthy and safe place for pets and, in doing so, help adding joy to my family."
Mr. Freddie Edward Cloete is a highly accomplished Chartered Accountant with over 40 years of extensive experience in auditing and financial consulting across multiple industries, including public sector, real estate, consumer products, and financial services. His career highlights include his tenure as a Partner at KPMG Lower Gulf in Dubai, where he significantly contributed to the firm's audit quality and business growth until his retirement in October 2021. His leadership roles have spanned South Africa, the Cayman Islands, the USA, and the UAE.
At KPMG Lower Gulf, Mr. Cloete led high-profile audits, managing multinational teams and ensuring adherence to stringent quality and regulatory standards. He also spearheaded the Consumer and Industrial Markets Business Unit, driving revenue growth and resource management. At SAICA, he oversaw the training and development of chartered accountants in South Africa, managing professional examinations and conducting quality reviews of CA programs.
His expertise includes executive leadership, audit and assurance (IFRS, IPSAS), quality reviews and risk management, financial reporting and advisory services, corporate governance and compliance, training, mentoring, development, and team management. His educational background includes a B.Com and a Post Graduate Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) from the University of the Western Cape, an Insurance Executive Program from Wharton Business School, and a Mini MBA from New York University/Stern. He is a Chartered Accountant (SA) with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Mr. Cloete has played key roles in significant projects, such as leading the audit for multinational corporations like Orascom Construction plc and Dubal Holding LLC. He has also been involved in major transactions, including the restructuring of a large aluminium producer and the bond listing of a multinational monoethylene glycol producer on the Irish Stock Exchange.
His profound expertise in external auditing, financial reporting standards, and advisory services, coupled with his extensive international experience, makes him a pivotal asset in driving financial and operational excellence. Mr. Cloete's dedication to quality and mentorship has consistently fostered professional growth and business success in every role he has undertaken.