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JONATHAN Muthige has joined the Pick n Pay group as group human resources director.

Muthige has more than 17 years’ corporate experience, 12 of them in senior executive leadership positions in South Africa, the UK and Turkey.

He comes to Pick n Pay from Standard Bank, where his most recent position was head of operations for the rest of Africa. BASIL Read has appointed Neville Nicolau as its CEO.

Nicolau’s most recent role was as CEO of Anglo American Platinum, from 2008-2012. Before that, he was chief operating officer at AngloGold Ashanti. He was with AngloGold for almost 10 years in various executive roles.

Basil Read chairman Lester Peteni said: “Neville is well known across industries in South Africa and recognised for his strong blend of experience in business and leadership.” JULIAN Ribeiro has been appointed CEO of the communications agency Lowe South Africa. He will report to Jeremy Hine, president of Lowe and Partners, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Ribeiro succeeds Adelle Wapnick, who is standing down for personal reasons.

Ribeiro was previously MD of O&M Johannesburg, where he produced campaigns such as the "So Good" brand launch for KFC, Channel O’s "Young, Gifted & Black" and the recent Lucozade campaign. URSULA McAlpine, the MD of advertising agency Havas Worldwide Johannesburg, has been promoted to the position of group MD. She will assume the responsibility for the Havas Worldwide Johannesburg, Havas Worldwide Digital Johannesburg and Havas Shopper Marketing businesses.

Havas Southern Africa CEO Lynn Madeley said McAlpine’s proven track record in growing the Havas businesses in South Africa made her the “perfect choice for the position”.