Hugo started his career as an Economics reporter at Die Burger newspaper in Cape Town. During 2003, he was nominated as one of the best newcomers in the prestigious Sanlam Financial Journalist of the year awards. In the same year, he left the media industry and helped to establish a newly formed economic consultancy firm. Hugo was appointed as an Economist at the Bureau for Economic Research in 2006, and promoted to Chief Economist in 2019.

He takes responsibility for the BER’s macro forecasts. He was the Thomson Reuters SA Economist of the Year in 2014 and the Media24 Economist of the Year in 2021. He is the author of the BER’s flagship Economic Outlook publication. Other duties include communicating the BER’s views to clients, the media and foreign investors; content editing of various BER publications and contributing to the BER trainee economist programme.

Hugo holds a Master’s of Economics Degree (cum laude), Stellenbosch University.

Dawie is the founder, Director and Chief Economist of the Efficient Group. He serves on a variety of investment committees within the Efficient Group. Dawie’s latest role is that of Chairman of Efficient Private Clients, of which Efficient Group is the majority shareholder.

Dawie is a nationally renowned Economist with over 30 years of experience. He specialises in monetary-, and fiscal policy and is currently doing extensive research on the possible impact of “crypto” currencies on monetary policy. He is closely involved with the management of client asset portfolios. His interest in international and local politics has grown, and he has become knowledgeable in the field of politics as well. Dawie is ranked the most referenced economist in the country and received the prestigious economist of the year award by Sake 24, a media house. He has been the anchor presenter of the television program Ontbytsake for the past 18 years.

Jannie has experience in the Agricultural sector working in different fields including National Department of Agriculture, the Commercial Banking sector, lecturing in Universities, lecturing in Agricultural Colleges and private consulting. Apart from his experience in the agricultural industry, Jannie has been involved in the construction sector for ten years as Project Manager.

After graduating from the University of the Free State, Jannie started his career as an Agricultural Economist with the Department of Agriculture. During this time, he obtained his B.Sc. Agric. Hons degree at the University of Pretoria. In 1995 he moved to Bloemfontein, where he joined Glen Agricultural College as Lecturer for two years. During this time, Jannie also lectured part-time at the University of the Free State. He joined Absa bank in 1996 as an Agricultural Adviser in the Mpumalanga Province. Jannie was transferred to the Southern Cape in 1998, where he served as an Agricultural Economist and later relationship banker for large agri-business clients.

During his career in the Bank he accumulated vast experience in the compilation of Business Plans, Financial analysis, Risk analysis and assessment of business plans and applications. In 1999 he was awarded CAIB (SA) (Certificated Associate of the Institute of Bankers) membership. Jannie left the Bank’s service in 2003 to pursue other interests. He joined Agri Western Cape as CEO in 2018.

Mike has been involved in the logistics industry for over 40 years¸ in both the ships agency and international forwarding industries. His involvement with SAAFF stretches back over 20 years. He has served as a member of the Western Cape executive committee, as Chairman of that chapter, and as National Director and Vice Chairman of SAAFF National. He is also SAAFF’s Director responsible for Maritime Affairs and is Chair of The Cape Town Port Liaison Forum, an official body under the auspices of the Cape Chamber.

He is currently a member of FIATA’s Working Group on Sea Transport and was involved in overseeing SAAFF’s response to the Government relating to the high cube container issue, where he also looks after the interests of the RFA, NAAMSA, FPEF and the CGA. More recently, he has been heavily involved in formulating responses to the Government regarding the Covid 19 lockdown regulations and producing the BUSA weekly report on cargo transport matters.