CNBC Africa confirms Ormerod resignation

“Mr Ormerod was instrumental in managing CNBC Africa's launch operationally over the past year and his expertise in project and business management was greatly appreciated during the past few months,” said Africa Business News (ABN) vice chairman, Rakesh Wahi. ABN is the holding company for CNBC Africa.

“Trevor departs after a successful launch phase, having helped build CNBC Africa into a multi-million dollar business in only seven months in the business television industry in Africa.”

Seasoned journalist

Alfonso, a seasoned journalist with more than 20 years' experience in broadcast media, was part of the project team that launched CNBC Africa, the continent's first sub-Saharan business television network, on 1 June 2007. He was tasked with putting in place systems, processes and people for the huge production requirements of the launch.

“I feel honoured that the executive of CNBC Africa is entrusting me with the job to grow the company into the future,” Alfonso told Bizcommunity.com yesterday, Wednesday, 5 December 2007.

“Trevor leaves big boots to fill. I might fill them a little differently, having come from an environment where I previously launched and built another television station into a commercial success.”

In March 1999, Alfonso helped launch Summit TV, which went on to become a major success in the third year. He worked there for eight years as an executive producer, managing editor, head of programming and GM. He has also worked for the SABC radio and television (between 1989 and 1999) as a reporter for five regions, the Parliamentary Office, and was the national assignments editor for TV news and a TV training manager.

Growing the organisation

His focus now at CNBC Africa will be less on managing operational issues left over from the launching phase and more on growing the organisation into a commercially viable broadcaster across the African continent, which includes focusing on the west and east African territories and rolling out a CNBC African presence in the new African markets.

Asked if Ormerod's sudden departure would affect CNBC's operations, he replied, “None whatsoever.”

CNBC Africa is headquartered in Johannesburg, with bureaux in Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos and Abuja that contribute daily via live satellite links from markets across the continent.

For more:

• Ormerod quits CNBC Africa [article]