Werner is a funding specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the fascinating, ever evolving financial services arena. After matriculating from Lichtenburg Secondary School in 1993 with six distinctions, he completed his BCom (Acc) degree (cum laude) followed by B Com (Hons) and Certificate in the Theory of Accountancy at the University of Pretoria. As loan bursary holder, Werner joined PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. (“PwC”) in Pretoria where he completed his public training. Clients ranged widely and included large multinational companies such South African Breweries (now SABMiller) and Iscor (predecessor to ArcelorMittal) to a government department, medical aid and stockbroker. During his articles he also successfully passed both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Qualifying Examinations of SAICA with Honours (and was ranked first overall in South Africa).
Werner used the opportunity to then gain international experience by being contracted to PwC in Toronto, Canada and Havana, Cuba. He then returned to South Africa to join PwC’s Transaction Services division in Johannesburg tasked with performing due diligence reviews and valuations. As qualified Chartered Accountant, Werner started at Mettle in the Specialist Finance division in 2001. He continued to further his studies and was awarded a Higher Diploma in Tax Law from Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg). He also qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) Charter Holder in 2003
During his tenure at Mettle, Werner fulfilled various roles and responsibilities ranging from the establishment and growth of numerous securitisation programs, a mezzanine fund and select collective investments schemes. Werner was also appointed by his holding company, Hosken Consolidated Investments (“HCI”) to be the Financial Director of HCI Khusela Coal, an exploration coal company. He re-joined Mettle on a full-time basis in 2008 and participated in Mettle’s management buyout from HCI. The team has raised substantial capital for corporate clients, private and listed, to enable growth, acquisitions, capital expenditure, management buyouts, etc. Clients included inter alia financial services, fast moving consumer goods, information communications technology and agriculture.
Werner is an authorised representative and key individual in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act and has successfully completed the JSE’s Sponsor Development Programme. He has been integrally involved in defining the focus and direction of the business conducted by Mettle Specialised Finance and has been instrumental in ensuring that the business continues to grow its areas of expertise and to expand its scope of financial services. Outside of work, Werner is an avid participant in endurance sport, including golf.