
Meet our EXECUTIVE TEAM
The Vestra team boasts skilled corporate finance professionals with experience across various industries, with an ability to raise capital and structure deals optimally to maximise benefit for all parties.

SHOLTO SIMPSON | CEO
CA (SA), H Dip Acc (Rhodes), PGD Corporate Law (UJ) (cum laude), JSE Approved Executive, CTSE Issuer Agent
Sholto has 16 years’ experience in corporate finance previously working at the JSE and BJM Corporate Finance after which he co-founded a boutique advisory firm in 2010.
During his career, Sholto has advised on over 150 large transactions with a cumulative value in excess of R150bn and established relationships with various institutions and investors which facilitates deal execution for clients.
During his career, Sholto has advised on over 150 large transactions with a cumulative value in excess of R150bn and established relationships with various institutions and investors which facilitates deal execution for clients.

THABO MAHLOELE | DIRECTOR
CFA® Level II, BBusSci Finance (Hons) (UCT)
Thabo has been in the investment banking industry for more than 11 years in various roles within global markets, most recently as a senior manager in Fixed Income at Standard Bank.
Prior to this, Thabo worked at Standard Chartered and Nedbank CIB. His responsibilities included selling vanilla and structured products to institutional clients. Thabo has in-depth experience in the fixed income markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Prior to this, Thabo worked at Standard Chartered and Nedbank CIB. His responsibilities included selling vanilla and structured products to institutional clients. Thabo has in-depth experience in the fixed income markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

NEIL SCHULTZ | DIRECTOR
CA(SA), CFA ® Charterholder, B Acc (US), B Acc (Hons) (US), PGD Corporate Law (UJ) (cum laude), JSE Approved Executive
Neil has been working in the corporate finance industry for more than a decade in both external and internal roles.
Following an 8 year period with a boutique advisory working alongside Sholto, Neil joined the internal corporate finance team of a Frankfurt listed African focused digital banking group before joining Vestra in 2020. Neil has extensive experience in a wide array of corporate actions.
Following an 8 year period with a boutique advisory working alongside Sholto, Neil joined the internal corporate finance team of a Frankfurt listed African focused digital banking group before joining Vestra in 2020. Neil has extensive experience in a wide array of corporate actions.
ABOUT US
Vestra is a corporate advisory firm which provides regulatory, strategic and financial advice to its clients. Vestra assists its clients in providing bespoke solutions through the introduction of innovative ideas and comprehensive strategies founded upon sound regulatory understanding, relationships, structural expertise and knowledge of structured and specialised instruments.
Equity and Debt Capital Raisings
Divestments and Restructurings
BBBEE Transactions
Equity Placements and Sell-downs
Mergers and Acquisitions
JSE Listings Requirements

Listings and Delistings
Balance Sheet Optimisation
WHAT WE DO

STRUCTURING
Determining the best structure to achieve transaction objectives and secure execution certainty

OPTIMISATION
Maximises value through efficient structuring for tax and commercial purposes considering both entry and ultimate exit costs

LEGAL
Managing the legal implementation of a transaction and ensuring legal construct aligns with the targeted commercial outcomes

CAPITAL
Facilitation of the raising of capital through roadshow preparation and management, introductions and interaction with potential capital providers

VALUATION
Determines entry and exit values for investment to our client’s benefit on a basis that facilitates fair execution

NEGOTIATION
Facilitating and managing negotiations with third parties on client’s behalf to reach the best outcomes

REGULATORY
Advising on the regulatory implications of transactions and managing approval processes as well as optimising transaction processes and structures to best achieve regulatory approvals

PARTNERING WITH VESTRA
why choose us?
- The Vestra team boasts experience in numerous capital raises and M&A activities such as take-overs, MBO’s, carve-outs, new ventures, acquisitions and exits.
- Vestra understands the importance of long term value added solutions, and has the ability to provide long term advisory support where regulatory and/or commercial matters are concerned.
- Vestra functions independently from providers of capital and is best positioned to provide unbiased advice.
- Vestra provides cradle-to-grave and outcome-driven advice to enhance deal certainty and meet client objectives.
- Access to senior members of the Vestra deal team is guaranteed throughout the entire engagement.
- Comprehensive understanding of corporate actions and related regulatory environment facilitates smooth transaction implementation.
CLIENT FOCUSED | VALUE ADD | BEST EXECUTION
contact us
+27 [0]10 753 3044
3rd Floor Vdara Office Park, 41 Rivonia Road, Sandhurst, 2196