SIFAX Group repositions for growth, appoints new GMD, others

As part of its effort to reposition the Group for growth, SIFAX Group, a multinational corporation with interests in various arms of transport business, has appointed John Jenkins as the new Group managing director while Mohammed Bulangu assumes office as the acting managing director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHSL) and Markus Brinkmann, becomes the group executive director, Commercial and Off Dock.

In a statement sent to BusinessDay, Taiwo Afolabi, the Group Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, SIFAX Group, said that the new appointments were made to reposition the company for its next growth phase. He added that this move would help the Group to deepen its commitment to the growth of the country’s economy through its business expansion strategy.

Jenkins, who joined the SIFAX as the managing director, PCHSL in 2011, has over 37 years, experience in port operation. He began his maritime career in 1979 with Stena Line at Harwich International Port, Essex, United Kingdom. Between 1995 and 1998, he was Container Terminal Manager, Hull, Humberside Sea and Land Services.

He was also the general manager, Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, Tema; GM, Twllogistics-Mistley, Quay & Forwarding, UK, Ports Operations Manager, Port Sultan Qaboos, Ports Services Corporation, Oman and Terminal Unit Manager, English Welsh and Scottish Railways, Paddington, among other key positions.

On the other hand, Bulangu, who was until his new appointment, the executive director, Commercial Services, has over 35 years experience with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) before joining SIFAX Group in 2015. A graduate of Economics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,  he rose to become the General Manager in charge of Western Ports and later, Marine & Operations.

Before assuming this new role, Brinkmann was in charge of one of the company’s subsidiaries, SIFAX Shipping Company Limited. His skills and expertise have been put to use in Africa, Europe and Middle East with over 10 years experience.

Brinkmann has served in various capacities with UASC Agencies Nigeria as General Manager; Maersk Broker as Ship Broker; SPS London Ltd as Ship Broker and Opus Marine GmbH, Germany, as project Manager, among other responsibilities.

AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE