GCCA Announces it 2023 African Advisory Council
Cape Town, South Africa. 21 November 2022 – Newton Matope, President, BigCold Storage and Logistics, has been named to the Global Cold Chain Alliance’s African Advisory Council. Council Members help shape the association’s regional strategy and prioritize a variety of initiatives to strengthen the value proposition for its members and continue to advocate for and elevate the African cold chain industry.
Newton Matope has over has more than 30 years of supply chain management experience in cold chain, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), ship supply, and catering and life support services, with a successful record of managing procurement, storage, and delivery of perishable products in some of the world’s most challenging environments with 12 years of experience in the cold chain industry.
“I am very pleased to join distinguished colleagues on the GCCA Advisory Council,” said Newton Matope. “I look forward to collaborating with the Council to innovate, collaborate and drive the expansion of cold chain logistics across the African continent.”
The nine leaders serving on the 2023 GCCA African Advisory Council are:
• Paul Gibbons, Customer Director, Vector Logistics (Chair)
• Christopher Nulliah, Chief Logistics Officer, SnoLink Logistics (Vice-Chair)
• Carlos De Mendonca, General Manager, Crossberth Cold Stores
• Chris Creed, Managing Director, Vector Logistics
• Jaco Ollewagen, Technical Manager, CCS Logistics
• Newton Matope, President, BigCold
• Owusu Akoto, Chief Executive Officer, Freezelink
• Patrick Fernandes, Chief Financial Officer, Afrigotel
• Renier du Preez, Chief Executive Officer, Digistics
Members are selected based on their demonstrated leadership, influence, and professional accomplishment within the African temperature-controlled products industry. They exhibit a deep affinity for the industry and support GCCA’s mission and vision. The Council represents a variety of regions, sectors of the cold chain industry and company size and scope.
“I am very excited to work with these leaders who have made the commitment to help grow and strengthen Africa’s cold chain,” says GCCA’s Director of Africa, Lizelle van der Berg. “Collectively, they will serve as the voice of the cold chain industry and help GCCA Africa create exponential value for our members.”
“Our members ensure a strong, unbroken cold chain for perishable foods throughout transport and storage, reducing food loss and increasing food stability across the globe,” stated GCCA President & CEO Matthew Ott. “The dedication of these individuals and their support of the industry is invaluable to the efforts of GCCA in Africa.”
About BigCold Logistics
Leveraging best-in-class technologies, BigCold offers comprehensive, sophisticated, customized cold chain solutions across East Africa. BigCold is the only cold chain logistics provider in East Africa that meets FSSC 22000 and Yum! Brand’s – the company behind KFC and Pizza Hut – strict food safety standards. Their world-class facilities and systems ensure that clients’ products are safe, and their supply chain is efficient. BigCold’s facilities provide reliable and efficient temperature-controlled storage facilities offering frozen, chilled, ambient-controlled, and ambient storage equipped with real-time temperature monitoring systems and backup power generators. BigCold specializes in transport solutions for frozen, chilled, and ambient goods offering dedicated door-to-door service, customized delivery runs and cargo consolidation to a variety of clients including quick service restaurants, farmers, food processors, retail outlets, restaurants, and hotels. BigCold is a BlackIvy endeavor. Anchored in East and West Africa, BlackIvy is a values-driven company that builds and grows commercial enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa that unlock new sources of growth. BlackIvy has offices in Accra, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, New York and Washington, D.C. www.bigcold.com
About BlackIvy
BlackIvy is a U.S. company that builds and scales businesses that drive long-term growth and resilient value in essential sectors – food, housing, healthcare, warehousing, and logistics – in Sub-Saharan Africa. BlackIvy grows businesses while generating sustainable economic impact for the people and regions in which its businesses operate. BlackIvy aims to unlock value for stakeholders through quality food production and world-class, temperature-controlled storage and logistics across Africa. Over the next twelve months, BlackIvy anticipates broadening its food and logistics capabilities.
