Tks A21 & some Ai to follow for ACL22 May 2026 14:41
Michelle Krastanov is a seasoned South African corporate finance professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry, specializing in JSE listings, company secretarial services, and M&A. As the Managing Director and owner of AcaciaCap Advisors (established in 2020) and its related secretarial entity Light Consulting, she has built a reputation for facilitating complex regulatory transactions for entrepreneurial businesses
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Her career trajectory and key milestones include:
Early Career & Big 4 Experience: After graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) with a BCom and BAcc (CA(SA)), she spent seven years at Price Waterhouse in the audit division, laying a strong foundation in financial reporting and compliance
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Corporate Finance & FirstCorp (1994–2001): In 1994, she joined a joint venture with FirstCorp Merchant Bank, where she executed her first major deal: the acquisition of the Bergers Group Limited shell and a reverse listing
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2. Following FirstCorp's restructuring in 1995, she took over the business, forming Kingfisher Corporate and Executive, which provided listing and corporate finance services to entrepreneurial firms for six years
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Arcay Group & Arbor Capital (2001–2019): In 2001, she joined the Arcay Group, where she established the sponsor business and later took over the company secretarial division, primarily servicing listed companies
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2. She eventually acquired a shareholding in these businesses. In 2013, she was a key figure in the management buyout of the group's controlling interest, which led to the formation of Arbor Capital
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Founding AcaciaCap (2019–Present): In October 2019, following a restructuring of the Arbor Capital group, Michelle reacquired the listing and company secretarial businesses. She retained the core team and rebranded them as AcaciaCap Advisors and Light Consulting, respectively, to focus specifically on JSE sponsorship and secretarial mandates
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Sector Expertise: Her track record spans diverse sectors including ICT/Telecommunications, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Property, Medical (including nutraceuticals), and Leisure
2. She has served on numerous boards and audit committees, advising on capital raising, new listings, acquisitions, and disposals within the strict regulatory environment of the JSE and the Takeover Regulation Panel
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Current High-Profile Mandates: Recently, she has been instrumental in advising Neo Energy Metals PLC (LSE: NEO) on its proposed fast-track listing on the JSE and the acquisition of major uranium assets in South Africa, including the Beisa Uranium Mine
1. She acts as the JSE-accredited Sponsor, Designated Advisor, and Independent Expert for this complex cross-border transaction
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Michelle Krastanov is recognized for a "hands-on" philosophy, often acting as an extension of her clients' executive teams to ensure the execution of strategic objectives
1. Her firm's longevity, wit
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