Nicky Newton-King will retire as CEO of the JSE on September 30 and will be succeeded by Dr Leila Fourie.

Newton-King has been CEO for the past eight years, having previously served as the JSE’s deputy CEO for eight years and, prior to that, in various other executive roles in a 23-year career at the JSE.

Over this time, she has achieved significant milestones, including the demutualisation and listing of the JSE, the acquisition of the SA Futures Exchange and the Bond Exchange of SA, and the joint venture with FTSERussell.

As CEO, she has also led the group through the successful implementation of several major technology projects, which fundamentally transformed the JSE’s trading and clearing service offerings and has championed the importance of business being a socially responsible participant on matters critical to the national agenda.

“During 2018, Nicky indicated to the board a desire to step down, both for reasons of good governance and after such a long career at the JSE, so that the next stage of the JSE’s journey could be led by someone new,” says JSE chairperson Nonkululeko Nyembezi.

“The board has, with great regret, accepted her decision. The board joins me in thanking Nicky for putting her heart and soul into the JSE over the past 23 years. She leaves the JSE stronger, more diverse, more technologically advanced, commercially savvy and client focused – well positioned to continue building on its successes in the current landscape.”

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead the JSE,” says Newton-King.

“Having led and been involved in so many of the JSE’s key strategic initiatives over the last 23 years, my fingerprints are on much of the DNA of the JSE today. But, after eight years as deputy CEO and eight years as CEO, I feel it is appropriate to step down – there is a time at which a CEO needs to step back and allow an institution to be led by a new energy and that time, for me, is now,” she adds. 

Fourie is a seasoned business executive, having previously served as an executive director of the JSE.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the JSE and look forward to working with the JSE team to continue building the JSE’s position as a leading emerging market exchange,” says Fourie.