South African executive Bertina Engelbrecht, CEO of Clicks Group, the Cape Town-based retailer and Africa’s largest listed pharmacy operator, demonstrated her exceptional leadership in 2025, earning a total compensation of R30.88 million ($1.89 million). This significant remuneration reflects her instrumental role in steering the company’s growth and maintaining its industry dominance.

This represents a 6.72% decline from the R33.1 million ($2.03 million) she received for the previous year. The decrease was driven by a 35.27% drop in long-term incentives. Despite the decline, Engelbrecht’s compensation reflects her key role in the group’s performance.

Engelbrecht’s appointment as CEO in Jan. 2022 was a landmark moment for South Africa’s corporate sector, marking a historic milestone in 2022 when she became the first woman to lead one of the country’s largest retail and healthcare companies. This achievement stands as a testament to her transformative leadership and underscores her significant impact on South Africa’s business landscape.

Compensation breakdown

Engelbrecht’s compensation includes a base salary of R11.14 million ($684,507), in line with her position and career, which stands as a powerful example of breaking barriers and driving change.

Additionally, she earned a performance-based short-term incentive of R8.89 million ($546,195), up by 35.27% from R6.57 million ($403,775) in 2024. Her long-term incentive for 2025 amounted to R10.13 million ($622,362), which declined 35.27% from the R15.65 million($961,339) she received last year. Her journey, characterized by resilience and an unwavering commitment to excellence, has not only cemented her status as a visionary leader but also inspired a new generation of women to pursue leadership roles in industries traditionally dominated by men.

Strong leadership amidst compensation decline

Bertina Engelbrecht’s leadership at Clicks Group has been key to the group’s financial growth, despite a reduction in her pay package. Since joining Clicks Group in 2006 as Group Human Resources Director, to leading transformation and operational excellence, culminating in her groundbreaking appointment as CEO in 2022. Engelbrecht has guided the company through a shifting financial landscape, with leadership that has proven to be the catalyst for the company’s significant growth and success.

Armed with a degree in Procurement and a postgraduate qualification in Commercial Law from South African universities, Engelbrecht’s career spans multiple industries. She began at Transnet, where she honed her expertise in organizational development and human resources, eventually managing her own consultancy practice. Her leadership journey continued at Shell SA Energy, where she served as General Manager and Regional Human Resources Manager for Shell Oil Products Africa, making notable strides in talent development and organizational effectiveness. At Sea Harvest, she further championed inclusive workplace practices as Director of Organizational Effectiveness.

Transforming Clicks Group into a market leader

Under Engelbrecht’s leadership, Clicks Group expanded into one of South Africa’s dominant healthcare retail players, delivering sustained growth and strengthening its market position over the years. By 2024, the company reached a market capitalization of R94.1 billion ($5.29 billion), reflecting strong investor confidence in its long-term strategy and retail footprint. However, by 2026, its valuation had eased to about R55 billion ($3.38 billion), marking a notable correction from prior highs and reflecting shifting market conditions and investor sentiment within the broader retail and healthcare sector.

Clicks Group reported 2025 revenue of R51.43 billion ($3.16 billion), up 5.8% from the previous year, with net profit rising 14.07% to R3.24 billion ($198.68 million) and total assets increasing 8.53% to R22.59 billion ($1.39 billion).

Under CEO Bertina Engelbrecht, the company has grown to 990 stores, including 780 in-store pharmacies, strengthening its position as South Africa’s leading pharmacy, health, and beauty retailer. Engelbrecht personally holds 100,268 shares valued at R23.6 million ($1.45 million).

The flagship Clicks Pharmacy continues to drive growth, and RBC’s larger stake signals strong confidence in the company’s ongoing performance and expansion plans.