Former Altron CEO Robbie Venter has died

Altron board member and former CEO Robbie Venter has died at 64, the company has said. Robbie was the son of Altron founder Bill Venter.

“Robbie’s impact on our company and the technology industry as a whole is immeasurable. His contributions will continue to inspire us for years to come,” said Altron group chief executive Werner Kapp.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this very difficult time. Robbie’s spirit and legacy will always be a part of Altron.”

Venter served as Altron’s chief executive from 2001 to 2017, when he handed over the reins to Mteto Nyati as the company transitioned away from being a family-managed business.

“The Altron Group has been my life and it has been a privilege to be at the helm of an organisation of such stature and to lead employees of the caliber that we find throughout the Altron Group,” he said when he stepped down as CEO.

“While we have gone through highs and troughs during my tenure, I have always been moved by the professionalism of all employees of the group as they have positively embraced the various changes we have implemented for the good of the organisation as a whole.”

He continued to serve on the company’s board until his death.

“Robbie was truly a remarkable individual — a consummate professional whose steadfast commitment to the company was matched by his generous spirit,” said Altron board chair Stewart van Graan.

“His insights and contributions were invaluable, and his absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew him.”

Venter worked at Altron or one of its subsidiaries since 1990.

He joined the Altron Board on 15 May 1997 and served on its nomination, remuneration, investment, and social, ethics and sustainability committees.

Before beginning his corporate career, Venter was a professional tennis player.

He was a semi-finalist at the Wimbledon Juniors in 1978 and moved to the United States that year to take up a tennis scholarship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Venter retired from tennis in 1985 and completed an MBA at UCLA.

He worked at Bear Stearns for three years before returning to South Africa in 1990, when he joined subsidiary of the JSE-listed Power Technologies, Lascon Lighting, as sales and marketing director.