SAMRO Appoints Ms Leanne Thomas as new CFO – recognising succession planning & women empowerment

The Southern Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Leanne Thomas as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). After an extensive search among both internal and external candidates, the Board of SAMRO has selected Thomas for this important role. Nicholas Maweni, Chairperson of the Board of SAMRO, expressed his satisfaction with the decision.
 
Thomas has been serving as the acting CFO since the departure of John Scullion, SAMRO’s previous CFO, whose contract ended on April 30, 2023. With her appointment, SAMRO’s executive committee (EXCO) now consists entirely of women, including the Chief Operations Officer and Chief Executive Officer. This makes SAMRO a unique company in South Africa.
 
The SAMRO Board recognises the importance of succession planning, as well as the need for experience and a strong focus on women empowerment, to ensure financial stability and growth. After careful consideration, the Board has determined that Ms Leanne Thomas, who has been with SAMRO for over 10 years, is the most suitable candidate for the position. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Honours from the University of Johannesburg and is a Chartered Accountant (CA) SA. Throughout her time at SAMRO, Thomas has proven her value as a member of the finance team, progressing from the position of Financial Accountant to Group Financial Manager in 2013 and Senior Group Financial Manager in 2019. 
 
Maweni acknowledges the significant role that Thomas has played in fulfilling one of the Board’s longstanding commitments to promoting internal growth and addressing gender imbalances in the music industry. Additionally, SAMRO’s complex financial arrangements with license holders require a qualified and experienced financial leader, further highlighting Thomas’s suitability for the role. Her knowledge of SAMRO’s business model and stakeholders, as well as her institutional memory, make her an ideal fit.
 
The SAMRO Board wishes Thomas the best as she takes on this challenging position and has full confidence in her ability to continue contributing to SAMRO’s strategic goals.