A company built with passion and purpose. Discover how you can work closer with VUKA to achieve your goals.
VUKA Group is a business with a purpose. We are deeply engrained in the fabric of Africa and the emerging industries therein. As the parent company of leading conferences and media publications in various industries across Africa, VUKA Group serves as the central hub for all key sectors. With 20 years of experience operating in the African market, VUKA Group has become an expert in connecting people and organisations in meaningful conversations, helping them reach the next level of growth in their industry ecosystem.
Companies that attend one VUKA conference often find value in attending conferences in other sectors because they are complimentary, providing a more comprehensive view of the industry. VUKA Group provides access to C-suite decision-makers in these industries, making it an ideal platform for businesses looking to expand their network and reach.
VUKA Group's 365 Influence Model helps businesses connect with important industry players before and after events, ensuring they know who you are and increasing the likelihood of forming meaningful connections. This model goes beyond the traditional conference model and allows businesses to gain more value from their investment in VUKA Group's events and media properties.
VUKA Group is a purpose-driven company that strives to connect people and organisations in emerging industries in Africa, fostering collaboration between innovators and established companies to drive growth and find new opportunities, with intention to create a better future for all across Africa.
David Ashdown is an experienced business leader with a deep passion for the transformative power of collaboration in emerging markets. As CEO of VUKA Group, his focus is on connecting and empowering industries in Africa to create new opportunities for growth and advancement. What drives David's passion is his firm belief that by working together, businesses and communities in Africa can build a brighter future for themselves and for generations to come. With his leadership and clear communication, VUKA Group is poised to make a meaningful impact in unlocking the potential of the African continent
David Ashdown
VUKA Group
CEO
VUKA Group is a trusted media partner to key professionals, policy makers, suppliers, and manufacturers. The company manages the biggest media distribution across target industries, providing unparalleled access to African business opportunities. With 365-day marketing and a focus on retaining market attention, VUKA Group opens the door to true influence marketing, allowing businesses to have their voices heard, solve problems, form powerful relationships, and create opportunities through connection across targeted digital and in-person environments, VUKA Group helps clients gain evergreen brand visibility, leverage trusted industry media, and access innovative thinking to position themselves as authorities in their industries.
Industry thought leadership across: Energy, Mining, Mobility, Green Economy and Retail.
We provide unparalleled access to key industry players and innovative thinking across a range of alternative industries. By connecting businesses at our conferences and events, we foster collaboration and open doors to new opportunities. Our events are specifically designed to address the needs of related industries with similar challenges, allowing attendees to gain insights and knowledge from experts and peers alike. From the mining and energy sectors to smart mobility and the green economy, our events provide targeted marketing opportunities before, during, and after exhibitions, as well as year-round access to the latest news and resources.
At VUKA Group, we are passionate about sustainability and minimising our environmental impact. We take a holistic approach to sustainability, ensuring that every decision and event is made with the environment in mind. We strive to create events that not only benefit our clients and attendees but also the planet. By prioritizing sustainability, we aim to make a positive impact on the communities and environments where we operate, and to inspire others to do the same. We adopt a PPP Bottom Line approach to our organisation that influences our decision making and talks to our values. The leadership team at VUKA Group are committed to driving the business towards a net zero environmental impact.
David Ashdown
Chief Executive Officer
David is a twenty six year veteran of growing businesses in global emerging markets. He's leading the VUKA Group at a pivotal point in the company's growth, with a focus on clear communictaion and digital transformation.
Murad Ebrahim
Chief Financial Officer
Murad leads an incredible financial team within VUKA, growing the business across the African continent. He's also passionate about VUKA's social programs that give back to communities.
Bruce Robinson
Chairman
Bruce has a global career offering extensive experience in the commercial and financial leadership of multi-national businesses, working across Start-Ups, SME's to Blue Chip listed companies.
Ben Pullen
Group Director Mobility
Ben lives and breathes smart mobility and is passionate to play his part in building a better world for the future. He has enjoyed running projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa over the last 10 years.
Chanelle Hingston
Group Director Energy
Chanelle uses her international marketing experience to lead the energy sector of VUKA Group media properties. Her passion is developing and growing people & brands in a fast changing industry.
Tracey Gersowsky
Group Director Client Experience & Operations
Tracey has over 20 years’ event experience across Africa and the UK, and is passionate about delivering creative, fun and engaging in-person, hybrid and digital experiences for audiences, knowing that there is only one chance to make a good first impression.
Terry Southam
Group Director Retail
Terry is the innovative leader of VUKA Group's retail sector. With over 150 conferences on his track record, he's responsible for delivering the two largest eCommerce & CX events in Africa.
Errol Bryce
Group Commercial Director
Errol brings his extensive experience in global print media to his role in VUKA Group. His goal is to deeply understand customer objectives & create campaigns that deliver measurable results.
Liezel Killingbeck
HR Director
Liezel uses her studies in psychology & sociology to help develop the skills of the VUKA team. Every business boils down to people & her role is to support them in creating fulfilling careers.
Amelia Kühn
Marketing Operations & Data Director
Fifteen years in marketing, design and data, has fed Amelia's natural passion for problem solving. She makes sure her department answers the ‘why’ and not just the ‘how’ in their marketing.
Ashvir Dhanrajh
Finance Director
Ashvir's experience in one of the Big 4 accounting firms set the stage for him to master the financial needs of large corporations. He ensures financial reporting compliance across VUKA Group.
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Converge Africa is a part of a series of retail events unlike any other. It's the new unifying brand for the digital commerce value chain. Formerly ECOM Africa.
Converge Africa Conference & Expo
For enquiries contact:
T: +27 21 700 3500
