Our Leaders
Softline is the product of its visionary leaders as well as the people who work tirelessly to serve their brands. It is through our belief in the process of collaboration, knowledge sharing and thinking that Softline is able to offer customers extraordinary experience founded in success.
At Softline we subscribe to five basic principles that govern our daily actions:
- Simplicity
- Agility
- Innovation
- Trust
- Integrity
The Who’s who in Softline
Ivan Epstein –Chief Executive Officer Softline and Sage AAMEA
Ivan is the co-founder and CEO of the Softline Group. His current role is that of CEO of Sage AAMEA which includes Softline/Sage in Africa, Australia, Middle East and Asia. He is one of four operational CEOs in the Sage Group.
Ivan co-founded Softline in 1988 with Alan Osrin (Managing Director of Sage Software Australia and Sage HandiSoft) and Steven Cohen (Managing Director Softline Pastel). Ivan is responsible for Sage’s strategic direction, ongoing growth and vision in the AAMEA region.
Amongst his various esteemed accomplishments, Ivan has a Degree in Accounting. He was recognised for his entrepreneurial attributes in September 1999 when he received Ernst & Young’s “South Africa’s Best Entrepreneur Award” in recognition of Softline’s significant growth and success. Recently Ivan was awarded the CCSA “IT Personality of the Year” accolade in 2009 for his contribution to the IT sector.
Rob Wilkie – Chief Financial Officer Softline and Sage AAMEA
Rob joined Softline in May 1997 appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer in April 2000.
Rob brings to the Softline Group his skills and experience in financial management, merger and acquisitions, and business development.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Commerce (1992) and Bachelor of Accounting (1994). He is also a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (1995). In 2004 he completed his MBA in Finance (Manchester Business School – UK).
Jeremy Waterman – MD, Softline Accpac
Jeremy is the founder of LA Technology, the distributor for Accpac International from 1989 to 2000, when the company was acquired by Accpac International and Accpac Africa was formed.
In 2004, Accpac International was acquired by the Sage Group plc, and subsequently Accpac Africa became part of the Softline Group, today known as Softline Accpac.
Jeremy holds a BSc Civil Engineering (Wits) and an MBA (Wits).
Steven Cohen – MD, Softline Pastel Accounting
Steven is a co-founder of Softline and the Managing Director of Softline Pastel. In his role as Managing Director, Steven is responsible for the strategic direction and ongoing growth of Softline Pastel as it continues to strengthen its position in South Africa and expand internationally.
Steven’s extensive experience, combined with his in-depth knowledge and understanding of providing mission critical financial systems to the SME business community has been central to guiding Pastel’s strategy. Steven has a ‘hands-on’ pragmatic and operational approach to managing the business and regularly spends time in each of the business’ critical areas – research & development, sales, and operations.
Steven holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Accounting from WITS University and is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
Grant Lloyd – MD, Softline Pastel Payroll
Grant fulfils the role of Managing Director of Softline Pastel Payroll and also fulfils the role of acting CTO for the Sage AAMEA region.
Grant has a strong R&D, IT and Management Consulting background and has gained a wealth of experience in these fields. He has worked with Softline / Sage’s subsidiaries in the Australian market as well as South Africa and has a thorough understanding of local market conditions and the various development functions in these countries.
Grant holds a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and Economics.
Anton van Heerden – MD, Softline VIP
Anton has extensive industry experience and an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the payroll and HR software industry.
Anton qualified as a CA in 1994 after which he worked at Deloitte’s in Toronto. In July of 1995 he was appointed Financial Manager of VIP; in 1998 he became Managing Director. Anton was a member of the Softline Board from 1999 until November 2003, when they joined the group as Softline VIP.
Charles Pittaway – MD, Softline Netcash
Charles is the founding partner of Netcash which was established in 2002.
In his role as Managing Director, Charles is responsible for the strategic direction and growth of Netcash within the Softline Group. His key focus is directing his team in the development and management of the various transactional services offered by Netcash.
In addition, Charles will assist the divisions of Sofltine with integration of the Netcash services into the stable of existing Softline products. He brings extensive experience and in-depth knowledge in the fields of internet based business solutions and transactional services.