Ashona Kooblall has been appointed CFO of Natura &Co’s Africa division effective June 2024. Based in Johannesburg, she will oversee the financial strategies of a company renowned for its award-winning global beauty brands like Avon, which spans across make-up, skincare, fragrance, personal care, hair care, fashion, and home products.
Before her current role, Ashona was the Chief Financial Officer at IOCO, one of the constituent companies of listed entity EOH, a tenure that lasted four and a half years. Here, she managed both local and international financial operations, bringing stability and growth to the company during her time. Her responsibilities included overseeing the finance departments, budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, showcasing her multifaceted skill set.
Ashona’s significant stint at Nike, which lasted over six years, is another highlight of her illustrious career. She initially joined as a Senior Finance Manager and quickly rose to become the Finance Director for Nike Africa. During this period, she managed subsidiary operations, led strategic financial planning, and ensured compliance with both local and international financial regulations. Her leadership was instrumental in driving profitability and strategic growth in one of the world’s leading athletic brands.
Ashona’s career began at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a Senior Auditor, where she completed her SAICA articles and became a Chartered Accountant. This foundational experience paved the way for her future roles, giving her a solid grounding in financial auditing and reporting.
Following her time at PwC, Ashona held significant positions at Barloworld Limited and Tiger Brands. As a Finance Manager at Barloworld, she managed financial operations across multiple countries, including Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, and Russia. Her role at Tiger Brands as Group Financial Manager involved overseeing finance for South African divisions and multiple African subsidiaries, focusing on group consolidations, executive reporting, and compliance with JSE listing requirements.
