The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) welcomes the appointment of Ms Astrid Ludin and Mr Rory Voller as Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), respectively. The appointments herald another milestone towards the full implementation of the Companies Act of 2008.
The department has full confidence that the appointed individuals possess the necessary skills, qualifications, and tenacity to steer this very important and critical institution to greater levels of performance. The dti believes all the necessary systems and processes are in place for the CIPC to function. Agreement has been reached with organised labour regarding current employees of the Companies and Intellectual Property registration Office (CIPRO) and the Office of Companies and Intellectual Property Enforcement (OCIPE), a business unit within the dti.
The department reiterates that implementation of the Companies Amendment Bill brings a progressive corporate environment that is conducive to economic growth, development, and transformation of business conducts in South Africa. Further, the legislation ensures; a) enhanced protection for minority shareholders; b) early turnaround of companies in distress which will save jobs; c) less processes to registering companies which will encourage increased participation in the economy, as well as improved enforcement powers that will result in early detection of any attempts to hijack or clone companies.
The Companies Amendment Bill was adopted by the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry on 24 March 2011, following a rigorous and inclusive consultative process that resulted in the incorporation of recommendations from stakeholders. The Bill is currently going through the necessary approval processes which will culminate in the President’s assent. The dti congratulates Ms Ludin and Mr Voller and looks forward to working with them to ensure that the Commission delivers on its mandate.
Brief profiles of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner
Ms Astrid Ludin: Commissioner
Ms Ludin is the former Deputy Director-General (DDG) of Consumer and Corporate Regulation Division (CCRD) in the dti. As DDG, her roles included oversight responsibility for CIPRO, and therefore she has insight into both strategic and operational issues facing the commission. She championed the corporate law reform process and she is one of the main architects of the new Companies Legislation. Her expansive technical knowledge and exposure to company law were evident when she conceptualised and implemented an ambitious law reform process that has a fundamental impact on business conduct in South Africa.
Ms Ludin has extensive knowledge and experience in the implementation of new legislation, from a policy development and enforcement perspective, having been responsible for the drafting of the National Credit Act and the enforcement of the Competition Act. Ms Ludin holds the following qualifications; MA in International Affairs, Development Studies from Columbia University in New York, USA; BA Honours in Politics, Economics and Philosophy from the University of New York in UK.
Mr Rory Voller: Deputy Commissioner
Mr Voller has been working in the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) since 2001. He is currently Head of Legal and Regulatory Services within CIPRO. He played a key strategic role as member of the team that drafted the Companies Amendment Bill and Regulations. Mr Voller’s involvement and exposure to various functions within CIPRO during the past nine years will benefit the Commission immensely as he has sound understanding and knowledge of the environment and the focal areas the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission will need to address as a matter of priority. Mr Voller holds the following qualifications; Master of Laws from University of South Africa; Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from University of KwaZulu-Natal; and BA Law from University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Enquiries:
Clement Manoko
Tel: 012 394 1712
Cell: 082 311 8931
E-mail: NManoko@thedti.gov.za
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
