Maria Ramos, a distinguished 64-year-old South African business executive, has left an indelible mark in the business world, standing tall not only in her native South Africa but across the entire African continent.
In 2020, Ramos assumed the position of chairperson at AngloGold Ashanti, solidifying her status as one of South Africa’s foremost executives. Her financial acumen and visionary leadership have been the guiding lights of her illustrious corporate journey.
Ramos’s leadership prowess has consistently proven transformative for companies over the years. Her influence extended to prestigious organizations, where she served as a non-executive and independent director, including Sanlam Limited, Remgro Limited, and SABMiller Plc.
Prior to joining AngloGold Ashanti, Ramos was the CEO of Absa Group Limited, a key player in Africa’s financial services sector. During her remarkable ten-year tenure, she navigated the strategic landscape across ten African operations, impacting over 15 million customers through a vast network of more than 11,000 outlets.
Ramos’ impact in South Africa transcends her financial sector achievements. She also held the prestigious position of group CEO at Transnet Limited, a state-owned freight transport and logistics service provider, for five years before her remarkable journey with Absa.
Billionaires.Africa has identified and cataloged seven companies linked to Maria Ramos, painting a vivid portrait of her multifaceted business leadership and impressive career:
- Compagnie Financière Richemont SA
Headquartered in Switzerland, Compagnie Financière Richemont SA is a luxury conglomerate that boasts an impressive portfolio of iconic brands, including Baume & Mercier, Buccellati, Cartier, Montblanc, Vacheron Constantin, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Ramos has been a non-executive director on the Richemont Board since 2011. She serves as a key member of the Compensation Committee and was previously a member of the Nominations Committee until April 2022.
- Anglogold Ashanti Plc
AngloGold Ashanti Plc is a global gold mining company with a significant presence in 10 countries across four continents, making it the third-largest gold producer worldwide. South African businesswoman and accomplished C-suite executive, Ramos chairs the company and also holds a 19.5-percent indirect stake in Canadian bullion miner Corvus Gold Inc. Ramos has been actively serving on the boards of AngloGold Ashanti Ltd since June 2019 and assumed the role of chair in December 2020.
- Absa Group Limited
Ramos held the position of CEO at Absa Group Limited from 2009 until February 2019. Her tenure as group CEO marked an era of substantial success, during which she earned a place among the country’s highest-paid CEOs. Her visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Absa Group.
- Standard Chartered PLC
In January 2021, Ramos assumed the role of an independent non-executive director at Standard Chartered Plc, a global banking and financial services institution. Her contributions were swiftly recognized, and she was appointed as the senior independent director in September 2022, demonstrating her influential role within the organization.
- Transnet
Transnet, a state-owned company in South Africa, plays a vital role in rail, port, airways, and pipeline operations. Established as a limited company on April 1, 1990, it emerged from the restructuring of South African Railways and Harbours. Ramos, with her extensive experience across various sectors, previously served as the CEO of Transnet, a company solely owned by the South African Government, underscoring her significant impact on the nation’s infrastructure and transportation sector.
