Full Name: Seelan Gobalsamy

Position and Company Name: CEO of Omnia Holdings

Main Activity of the Company: Omnia is a globally diversified chemicals group that operates in 23 countries across the mining and agriculture sectors

Date and Place of Birth: January 7, 1976, East London, South Africa

Education: CA (SA); AMP, Harvard Business School

First Job: Articled clerk at an audit firm in East London

Size of First Pay Packet: About R1 950 a month

Career Path to Date: In a career spanning over three decades, I spent several years in financial services, including at Old Mutual and Liberty Holdings, and later served as CEO of STANLIB Asset Management. I joined Omnia in 2018 as a nonexecutive director, became Group Financial Director in 2019 and was appointed Group CEO about a year later. Since then, I’ve led Ominia’s turnaround and global expansion, transforming the business model, strengthening its financial position, and improving operational efficiency. Today, Omnia operates in 23 countries, with expansion under way in Canada, Indonesia and Australia

Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of over R15-billion as at March 27, 2026, after paying over R5-billion in dividends to shareholders since the 2019 turnaround

Number of People Under Your Leadership: 3 803 employees

Management Style: I’m a purpose-driven leader who puts people first, championing excellence and global competitiveness while prioritising wellbeing, safety and growth. I believe sustainable impact comes from clear purpose and strategy grounded in strong values – doing things right, boldly and with long-term purpose. My leadership ethos is simple: ‘If you do good business, profits will follow. Let’s do it right, let’s do it with excellence and win together.’ This aligns strongly with Omnia’s core values of safety and doing the right thing

Personal Best Achievement: Leading the turnaround of Omnia after significant financial and operational challenges in 2019. Through tough decisions, disciplined execution and a committed team, we restructured debt, streamlined operations and restored growth, despite Covid-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, supply disruptions and other challenges. Today Omnia is financially strong, globally competitive and purpose driven

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father – his focus on people and disciplined execution has stayed with me. He taught me that success comes from hard work and dedication, and his example shaped how I approach challenges, lead teams and strive for excellence in everything I do

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Several people who saw in me more than I did and gave me opportunities to grow, learn and achieve

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I enjoy spending time talking to people who have experienced more in life than me

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: A businessperson who has been able to start businesses and grow them to become major forces that make a positive impact

Philosophy of Life: I believe in discipline, a strong work ethic, and striving for excellence. Success isn’t just about talent; it’s about consistency, integrity, and always pushing to be better. I’m committed to continuous growth, both personally and professionally, and believe purpose-driven effort leads to meaningful impact

Biggest Ever Disappointment: An organisation’s success comes down to its people. Making tough decisions quickly to ensure the right team is in place is critical, and often the difference between progress and stagnation. I firmly believe that decisive leadership, underpinned by uncompromising values of always doing the right thing, is crucial

Hope for the Future: To position Omnia as a globally competitive business delivering meaningful societal impact by strengthening food security, enabling inclusive growth through responsible mineral extraction, and advancing ESG priorities

Favourite Reading: I enjoy leadership and business books because they challenge my thinking and help me grow

Favourite TV Programme: Current affairs

Favourite Food/Drink: My mother’s curry

Favourite Music: The piano – listening to some ballads is always great

Favourite Sport: Team sports, especially rugby and cricket

Hobbies: Motoring, engines and speed – the thrill of driving and the mechanics behind it energise me and help clear my mind

Pets: Two dogs, Daisy and Casper

Family: I am married with two children – a daughter who has just completed matric and a son who is studying engineering

Other: I spend time on various initiatives that help raise funding for schoolchildren and other educational activities