Brian Menell

Early life and education

Menell was born in 1965 in Johannesburg. His grandfather, Slip Menell, was the co-founder in 1932 of the Anglovaal Group, one of South Africa's largest diversified mining and industrial groups of companies. His father was the philanthropist and businessman, Clive Menell, who died in 1996; President Nelson Mandela gave the address at Clive's memorial service in Johannesburg.

Menell was educated at the Rugby School in the UK. He holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Pennsylvania in Political Science and Economics.

Mining

Prior to joining Anglovaal Group, Menell worked for the De Beers Group in London, Antwerp and Windhoek for eight years. He originally joined the company as a diamond sorter.

Menell was Principal and Executive Director of Anglovaal Mining Ltd. which owned precious metal, base metal, ferrous metal and diamond interests across Southern Africa. Menell and his brother Rick retained control of Anglovaal until its sale in 2001 to create the largest South African empowerment controlled company, African Rainbow Minerals. During his time with Anglovaal he was also a 50% partner in the Venetia diamond mine. De Beers' acquisition of Anglovaal's interest in the mine for $600 million was the largest in the company's history.

Menell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kemet Group, which invests in and manages mining and other natural resource projects across the African continent, and advises certain African governments on resource policy and major transactions. He also serves as Chief Executive of Tinco Investments Limited (an integrated Tin and Tungsten producer), and is a Director and Chairman of Shore Gold Inc., one of Canada's largest diamond exploration companies.

Menell is former Chairman of Energem Resources Inc. and a former Chairman of First Africa Oil Plc.

Other ventures

In 2004, Menell became a founding partner and Executive Director of the A1 Grand Prix auto racing series. He is the Chairman of Agricor Ltd (an African fertiliser and feedstock company) and is a Director and Chairman of Sallfort Partners AG, a private banking joint venture headquartered in Zurich.

Through the SG Menell Charitable Fund, Menell invests in disadvantaged communities in both South Africa and the rest of the developing world.

Menell has been extensively quoted in publications such as the Financial Times as an expert on the diamond industry, African resources, African politics, and Resource Nationalism. He has also appeared on Sky News and BBC World Service. He has been a speaker at The Times CEO Summit, The Mines and Money Conference, and The New York Africa Forum.

Personal life

He is married with two children.