Jackie joins with more than 14 years of property experience, starting out as a property manager, working her way up through the ranks to her most recent position as the CEO of Pivotal. 

Morné Wilken, CEO of Attacq, welcomed Jackie van Niekerk as the new COO of Attacq, with effect from 1 May 2017. “Attacq is fortunate to strengthen the management team with the appointment of Jackie van Niekerk, who has a proven operations track record in the property industry. Jackie’s experience in property and the business world, will add real value in her new leadership role at Attacq,” he says.

Wilken explains that the role will lead the asset management, business operations, human capital and risk management teams. In her new role, Van Niekerk will provide strategic support and advise the Executive Committee on matters pertaining to profitability and strategic initiatives. 

“I am excited about the appointment as COO of Attacq and am confident I can add real value, and strengthen and grow the South African property portfolio to the benefit of shareholders and stakeholders. I look forward to working with the strong and capable leadership team already in place at Attacq. I received a warm welcome from everyone at Attacq and have already hit the ground running,” says Van Niekerk about her appointment.

Van Niekerk recently concluded the successful merger between Pivotal and Redefine Properties in her capacity as CEO of Pivotal at the end of 2016. She joined Pivotal Property Fund in 2009 and became the youngest and only woman CEO in the property sector at the time, where the fund grew to a R12 billion listed development fund.

She established Pivotal’s offshore strategy by successfully concluding the merger of Mara and Delta Africa to create the MaraDelta Africa fund and acquired an equity stake in Echo Property Polska based in Poland. The establishment of Setso Property Fund, a unique black economic empowerment fund, was done under her mentorship.

Van Niekerk is an esteemed leader and a pioneer for women in the property sector. She is also a wife and mother, proving that women have a significant impact in business.

“Attacq is a fast-growing, JSE listed company and as we grow, so must our skill set in the team. As the owners and developers of Waterfall City and Waterfall logistics hub, Attacq requires a range of skills and we feel that Jackie adds to our diversity and compliments our already strong leadership team,” concludes Wilken.

Waterfall is South Africa’s largest urban infill development, designed to provide everything expected of a world-class modern African city, with all the conveniences and advantages of a leading-quality urban environment.