Leading infrastructure development Group, Bigen, is pleased to announce the appointment of Luthando Vutula, previously the CEO of Ubank, as the incoming CEO set to succeed Dr Snowy Khoza on 1 October 2021.  Dr Khoza will be retiring from the Group in December of this year. Vutula hails from an impressive business background where he has held senior executive and non-executive positions in major South African development, management and finance companies, contributing at the main board level to the setting and implementing of strategic policies.

“Vutula has a remarkable ability to unite people from different levels of society and backgrounds to follow a collective progressive vision” says outgoing CEO Dr Snowy Khoza. “He is a focused and performance-driven executive with a strategic mind-set and a proven ability to deliver long-term value.  I have no doubt that he is the right man for this position, and I look forward to seeing him drive the already impressive growth of the Bigen Group to reach new heights.”

Vutula brings to the table a wealth of experience and business acumen gained from extensive exposure to infrastructure development on a national and international level. Having established networks in all tiers of the South African government, Vutula is involved with various multinational agencies and diplomatic circles in Africa, Scandinavia and North America, as well as donor agencies such as The United States Agency for International Development and the European Union. 

Regarded as a thought leader and trendsetter, Vutula is no stranger to the media. Known and widely respected at key decision-making levels in the SA housing industry, financial sector, and in the public sector at national, provincial and local levels, he is often quoted as an expert on issues such as inner-city regeneration and social housing.

“I am honoured to follow in the impressive footsteps of my predecessor, Dr Snowy Khoza,” says Vutula. “During her dynamic tenure of eight years as CEO and three years as Executive Chair of Bigen, she accomplished remarkable feats and developed Bigen from being a South African based consulting engineering firm, to a driver of socio-economic change across Africa through innovative, solutions-focused engineering, advisory and infrastructure development.    I am excited to continue her legacy, and while some things may change, certain things will always be prioritised in our decision-making: our people, our continent, creating wealth for our stakeholders and leaving a legacy we are proud of.”

Before accepting the position as CEO of Bigen, Vutula held the positions of CEO at well-established financial services provider, Ubank, Head of Sectors at ABSA Retail and Business Bank, Managing Executive ABSA Home Loans, and Managing Director of ABSA DEVCO. Prior to joining ABSA, he served on the executive level at the National Housing Finance Corporation, where he was responsible for a number of portfolios.  He chaired several boards in both the private and public sectors.

Amongst numerous other academic achievements, Vutula holds a Master’s Degree in Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch, a BA Honours Degree in Business Administration from the University of Stellenbosch and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of Botswana.