Business Education

Thomas Schaal, founder of the company, completed a formation in the banking sector before studying economics focusing on foreign trade and finance. He conducted his studies at the universities of Worms, Frankfurt/Main and Berkeley/USA.

Professional Career

Following his vocational training Thomas Schaal has worked in the field of international banking and consulting. He spent a considerable amount of time in Zurich where he worked for a Swiss based consulting group, completing a number of international projects. Prior to his engagement in South Africa Thomas Schaal was vice-president of a Dutch financial group based in Frankfurt/Main. As the head of the “International Cash Management Department” he was responsible for the development and implementation of numerous international projects. During this time he also earned the degree of “Certificate International Cash Management” awarded by the Association of Corporate Treasurers in London/UK. Thomas Schaal has a yearlong experience in the field of project management and consulting of corporate clients on the international level.

Business Education

Dr Michael Zipp studied Business Administration at the Universities of Mainz and Cologne with special focus on corporate auditing and tax. During his studies in 1981 he spent three months in South Africa as part of a student exchange program sponsored by the "South Africa Foundation". His academic education culminated with a PhD (Dr.rer.oec.) from the University of Duisburg.

Professional Career

After his studies Dr Zipp worked from 1983 to 1988 for the international audit firm KPMG as auditor and consultant. At the end of 1988 he joined the Finance Department of the Dax listed Henkel company in Duesseldorf Germany. During his 22 year career with Henkel he has worked in various countries and in different senior management positions: 1988 Duesseldorf, 1991: Hongkong, 1995: Beijing, 1997: Shanghai and in 2001: Dublin.
From 2003 until beginning of 2010 Dr Zipp was the Managing Director of Henkel South Africa in Johannesburg. Key strategic projects during this time were the consolidation and legal restructuring of the company (integration of a new Black Economic Empowerment Partner) as well as the regional business expansion for Henkel (Sub Saharan Africa).
Dr Zipp is a longstanding member of the South African-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Johannesburg where he is on the Senior Council and since 2009 also a member of the Directorate.