Crookes Brothers appoints Thomas Attree as audit chair following Farzanah Mall’s passing

Crookes Brothers Limited, one of Africa’s leading agribusiness groups, has appointed British chartered accountant Thomas Attree as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of its Audit and Risk Committee, as the agribusiness group moves to reinforce governance following recent board disruptions.

The appointment, effective April 21, 2026, comes at a sensitive juncture for the Johannesburg-listed farming company after the recent deaths of Chief Financial Officer Nigel Naidoo and independent non-executive director Farzanah Mall in March 2026, creating a gap in its financial oversight and board stability.

Strengthening audit and risk leadership

Attree brings more than 20 years of experience spanning financial reporting, sustainability governance, and technology strategy across dual-listed companies in London and Johannesburg. His profile reflects a growing emphasis among listed firms on integrating traditional audit expertise with ESG and digital transformation capabilities.

He holds an MA (Hons) from the University of Oxford and has pursued further studies at the University of Cambridge. He also holds qualifications in sustainability reporting aligned with the United Kingdom’s corporate disclosure frameworks and is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.

Crookes Brothers said his appointment strengthens the group’s ability to navigate evolving financial and regulatory demands while maintaining robust internal controls across its agribusiness operations.

Previous corporate experience

Attree previously served as Group Reporting Accountant at Liberty International PLC and later as Director of Sustainability and Technology at Shaftesbury Capital PLC, roles that combined financial oversight with operational transformation and sustainability strategy.

The company noted that his background positions him strongly for the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, particularly as the group seeks to enhance transparency, resilience, and long-term governance discipline.

Governance assurance and compliance

Crookes Brothers confirmed that a formal fit-and-proper assessment was conducted in line with Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) protocols. The board said Attree met all integrity and governance standards required for appointment, with no adverse disclosures recorded in his director’s declaration.

“The board welcomes Thomas and is confident that his extensive experience and modern skillset, combining financial governance with sustainability and technology strategy in a listed environment, will be invaluable to the Group,” the company said.

The appointment signals a deliberate strengthening of oversight structures as Crookes Brothers seeks continuity in leadership and financial stewardship across its African agribusiness portfolio amid recent boardroom changes.