Basil Read: Ex-Amplats boss to be chief executive

Former Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) chief executive Neville Nicolau has been appointed chief executive of listed construction company Basil Read from September 1. He will succeed Des Hughes, who was appointed acting chief executive following the retirement of Marius Heyns after the group’s 2013 financial year-end. Prior to heading the biggest platinum producer, Nicolau was chief operating officer at AngloGold Ashanti. Company chairman Lester Peteni said yesterday that Nicolau was well known across industries and recognised for his strong blend of experience in business and leadership. “The board looks forward to working with Neville to inject new energy into efforts to improve business performance and the strategic transformation of the company.” – Roy Cokayne