Sappi Limited, the global pulp and paper group, today announced wide ranging changes and promotions at its Southern African businesses. Andre Wagenaar (61), the current Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Forest Products is due to retire at the end of the year and will be replaced by Jan Labuschagne (46), currently the Finance Director of Sappi Forest Products. A Chartered Accountant, he has been with Sappi since 1992 serving the group in various senior management roles including as finance director of Sappi Timber Industries and accounting director at Sappi Fine Paper Europe in Brussels. Following on Jan Labuschagne's appointment, a number of other management changes have been made. All appointments occur as from 01 January 2007. The new Finance Director of Sappi Forest Products is Colin Mowatt (49), currently the Financial and Commercial Director of Sappi Saiccor. He is a Chartered Accountant and has been with Sappi for 13 years. He also holds a MBL from UNISA. Albert Lubbe (58), becomes Managing Director of Sappi Kraft, moving from his current role as Managing Director of Sappi Fine Paper South Africa. Sappi's Usutu operations in Swaziland will also fall under his control. He has been with the group in his current role since 1997. He holds a GCC (Mechanical Engineers) and has completed the Advanced Executive Programme from UNISA. Dinga Mncube (46), currently the Managing Director of Sappi Forests, becomes the Managing Director of Sappi Fine Paper South Africa. He will also form part of Sappi's global fine paper management team. He has been with Sappi for 13 years and holds a MSc in Forest Products and has completed the Executive Development Programme at WITS as well as the Senior Executive Programme at Harvard. Hendrik de Jongh (51), the current Fibre Supply Director of Sappi Forests and General Manager of Sappi Usutu in Swaziland becomes the Managing Director of Sappi Forests. He has been with Sappi for 18 years and holds a GCC (Electrical) and a Post-graduate Management Diploma from Henley. Commenting on the appointments made, Sappi chairman Eugene van As, said today: "Jan Labuschagne has an intimate knowledge of the Southern African businesses and will be able to lead the combined effort of his executive team to deliver strong cash flow and growth. He has an experienced team with a proven track record. We are very happy that we have been able to make these appointments from within the group's existing management".