Estienne de Klerk has officially assumed the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of Growthpoint Properties, marking a carefully planned leadership transition at South Africa’s largest primary JSE-listed real estate investment trust.

De Klerk took over on 1 July 2026, at the start of Growthpoint’s 2027 financial year, succeeding Norbert Sasse, who led the group for 22 years. Sasse remains with the company in an executive capacity until 31 December 2026 to support a smooth and orderly handover.

The appointment brings an experienced and familiar leader to the helm of the diversified international property group. De Klerk has been part of Growthpoint and its predecessor structures for almost two decades and has held a succession of senior executive positions within the business. He served as CEO of Growthpoint Properties South Africa from March 2018, overseeing the performance and strategic positioning of the company’s extensive domestic portfolio.

A chartered accountant and Harvard Business School alumnus, De Klerk has around 30 years of experience across banking and listed property. His expertise spans capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, property operations, transformation and corporate strategy.

He has also played a prominent role in South Africa’s property sector, serving as chairman of the SA REIT Association and as a past president of the South African Property Owners Association.

His elevation provides continuity at a time when Growthpoint is focused on strengthening portfolio quality, recycling capital and positioning its local and international businesses for sustainable growth.

The leadership transition also includes José Snyders, who joined Growthpoint as Group Chief Financial Officer on 1 January 2026. Together, De Klerk and Snyders form a new executive leadership team tasked with building on Growthpoint’s established platform while navigating changing property cycles, capital markets and investor expectations.