1. John Richard Furnival LEWER.
11 BATH STR.
MONTAGU. 6720.
SOUTH AFRICA.
Telephone :+ 27 (0) 23 614 1066
Cell: +27 (0) 79 879 4882
johnlewer@gmail.com
PROFILE.
Executive Manager with extensive multicultural experience Globally with recent focus in Asia, the Pacific Region and
Africa.
Responsible for the development of core Business Categories and Brands within markets, integration of resources and
bottom line enhancement.
Company Profiles are predominant Industry Leaders within FMCG with Product Categories covering Health and
Beauty, Instant Food, Infant Nutrition, Confectionery, Beverages, Snack Foods and Processed Foods.
Active participant on Executive teams and Management committees In Multi National Companies and related
Institutions.
Noted for commitment and enthusiasm through leadership and motivational principals to deliver results irrespective
of location and cultural variation. Primary focus on Human Resources as the key driver to achieve specific objectives
related to short or long term results in varied market conditions.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2nd
OPINION! Cape Town – South Africa. 2007 – Present
General Manager ( www.connect2ndopinion.co.za )
Business Consultancy Agency
Kingna Lodge, Cape town, South Africa 2007 – Present
Owner ( www.kingnalodge.co.za )
Tourism and Leisure Industry. Advertising platform, packaging and logo development
JJ ADVENTURES, Cape Town, South Africa 2007 – Present
Owner ( www.jjadventures.co.za )
Tours and Specialist events
NESTLE, Switzerland, International and South Africa Exposure. 1988 – 2007
NESTLE, Central West African Region, Accra, Ghana 2006 – 2007
Regional Sales Development Manager - Executive Committee
Responsible for 23 Countries from Senegal to Angola (CWAR) – Best Commercial Practices. to
improve sales in all Commercial Channels and Structures.
 Defined clear business vision, objectives and sales strategies at regional level with positive acceptance of the Sales
Master Business Strategy 2015 (MBS) – Head Office Switzerland.
 Implemented regional sales policies as per the best practice mandates of generating demand at commercial
level now in place and functional
 Established a close and interactive working relationship with GLOBE centre In Sydney Australia for Best Practice
evolution
NESTLE, Indochina, Bangkok - Thailand. 2003 - 2006
Vice President - Business Manager (Confectionery) - Executive Committee.
Responsible for restructuring resources and brands to achieve profitability in the shortest period of time.
 Implemented a complete change of business strategy within 2 months of arrival in Bangkok
 Revised all deployment of Human Resources in terms of roles and responsibilities as well as route to market focus
 Established Kit Kat across all Trade classifications in one year as the dominant Brand Leader
 Implemented a complete phase out of the Business Unit to a dedicated International Distribution. Turnaround of profit
for both companies in the short term. No loss of market share or service during the transition period

2. NESTLE , Philippines , Manila – ASEAN Confectionery Business Unit 2000 - 2003
Senior Vice President – Business Manager Goya Inc.- Executive Committee
Responsible for formulating a clear basic business strategy and implementation of a 4 year recovery plan.
 Re-engineered the Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Human Resource and Finance functions within the first 60 days.
 Recruited, negotiated and managed new retailer, distributor and wholesaler Trading Terms and Conditions.
 Reversed the unfavorable brand image of the Range Goya and created 36 Renovation and Innovation projects in the first
year.
 Grew Nestle Brands to occupy the top two positions in the category and developed a nutritional plus to increase
Milk consumption with children.
 Fully revised the creative advertising platform, won 6 media awards as a result for Kit Kat.
 Re directed consumer interface and public relations events with integrated promotions.
 Successfully introduced this strategy across all media formats including Radio as the main motivator.
NESTLE, Bangladesh, Dhaka – South Asian Region 1997 to 2000
Commercial Director - Nestle Bangladesh Ltd.- Executive Committee
Responsible for management of a loss making Joint Venture business in a competitive commodity market
environment.
 Redefined the Business Model with Milksdiscontinued and Infant Nutrition the focus within 3 months.
 Managed the Joint Venturebuyoutof the partnerto 100% Nestle ownership within 6 months.
 Managed the full takeover of the Distributor Sales and Logistic network nationally within 48 hours.
 Implemented the most advance permanent Space Management Visibility strategy for the Nestle Range at
Traditional Tradelevel in the World, (7,500key trade outlets).
 For the first time in 6 years of loss making business thenew Companyachieved bottom line profit within one year
of the restructure.
NESTLE, Switzerland , Vevey Head Office – Global Duty Free 1993-1997
International Duty Free Manager. 36 International Countries
Responsible for development and expanding the Nestle Brand presence in all possible channels available
for exposure outside Domestic Market Nestle mainstream activities.
 Created a clear profile for trade channels to define Independent, Governmental and International Group
consortiums that could leverage Nestle Brandsglobally.(Buying Groups)
 Implemented specific Trading parameters and conditions across the Nestle Product Range that did not
compromise Domestic Nestle Markets. ( Separate trading mandate.)
 Established a solid Nestle portfolio base for distribution, visibility and availability for strategic Products across
the respective Counties and designated Trading points concerned.
NESTLE, South Africa, Johannesburg 1990 -1993
National Sales Manager . Chilled Foods.
Responsible for Implementing and revision of a new operational strategy with clear objectives to enhance the
Commercial, Distribution and Warehouse logistic for the range of Nestle Chilled Food.
 Established Premium House brand labels throughout South Africa.
 Implemented the closure of the Business unit due to Union interaction , a threat to mainstream Nestle in South
Africa.
 NestleHead Office– SpecialProjects-Marketing. Integration ofDivisionalStructures successfulcompleted in 1992
Nestle, South Africa, Johannesburg & East London. 1989 – 1990
General Sales Manager – Confectionery Integration for the Nestle Takeover
Responsible for the successful and complete Integration of both the Wilson Rowntree and Nestle
Confectionery Commercial Divisions in Southern Africa.
 Achieved on time with no loss of Resources, Market Share or Trading Terms Nationally.
Nestle - Wilson Rowntree , South Africa , Johannesburg & East London. 1988 - 1989
General Sales Manager Southern Africa - Wilson Rowntree.
Responsible for remodeling the Confectionery Business in all respects related to Sales Management principals,
trading terms and conditions
 Modernized the Commercial structure and route to market responsibilities in Southern Africa .
 Achieved high levelof motivation, commitmentand financial results ahead of Plan prior to takeover by Nestle.

3. Reckitt &Colman, South Africa, Johannesburg. 1983 - 1988
Inland Divisional Manager – Colman Foods.
Responsible for developing a high rapport both in the Company as well as the FMCG Trade profile in South
Africa through positive and constructive result management atall Levels throughout the period of service.
 Established Brand Leadersin all threeProductCategories with advanced Forward Share Managementin all Key
Trade Channels.
 Represented theReckittand Colman Group at ICSS Convention in Scotland and London United Kingdom.
Fed Foods , South Africa, Johannesburg. 1981 -1982
National Accounts Manager- Snack Foods.
Responsible for setting a new standard of performance,association and results in the Company in a short period
of time.
 Established a full Promotion Platform for Active Branding atKey TradeLocations – FullEventsManagement
activities
Gillette, South Africa , Johannesburg. 1977 – 1981
Provincial Sales Manager - Transvaal , Free State, Northern and Eastern Cape.
 Performed above expectations In key Trade Channels and Route to Market Strategies.
 Developed a numberofkey Visibility strategies to meet theCategoryneeds fordisplay and availability.
Adcock Ingram Home Products , South Africa, Johannesburg 1975 - 1977
Regional Sales Manager- Free State, Northern Cape and East Rand.
 Exceeded all key objectives for Visibility, Route to Market and Category Targets.
 Won the highest performance Incentives, including International exposure for 6 weeks.
Barclays Bank, South Africa, Bloemfontein. 1974 – 1975
Banking Teller and Front Desk Customer relations.
1 Parachute Battalion, South Africa, Bloemfontein. (Mid year July ) 1974 – 1975
Army – Draft National Service. Volunteered for Special Forces.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
Management Development - Marketing, Sales, Finance & General Management. 1975 - 2005
Nestle Business School - Rive Reine Switzerland – Marketing 1995
Marketing at IMD University - Lausanne Switzerland . 2001
Management & Leadership - London Business School. 2004 - 2005
National Service - Special Forces 1974 - 1975
Saint Andrews School Bloemfontein - South Africa.- Matric (A Levels) 1961 - 1973
PERSONAL
Date of Birth: 25th August 1955.
Marital status: Married.
Children: Two Adults.
Nationality: South African Citizen with Ancestral English Passport opportunity.
Languages: English - Excellent written and spoken.
Afrikaans - Written and spoken.
French – Basic Spoken and understood.
Hobbies: Adventure Activities, Golf, Biking, History & Collector of Artifacts.
Travel: International & Global Citizen.