Leadership
The people behind Obsidian
A multidisciplinary leadership team spanning gemmology, finance, commodities, supply chain, project delivery and risk — united by deep experience in Africa’s mineral sector.
Daniel Bezuidenhout
Chief Executive Officer
Founder of Obsidian Minerals and Metals Exchange with over 15 years’ experience in Tanzania’s gemstone and mineral sector. MBA graduate of Oxford Brookes University. Ambassador for the Swiss Business Hub (Africa), Member of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse and Chairman of CATPO Africa.
Peter Jodlowski
Chief Financial Officer
British Chartered Accountant with over 40 years’ experience. Began his career at Price Waterhouse before senior finance roles at Biwater and Marconi. Since 2005 he has held CFO positions at Istithmar World, Emirates Investment Authority and Jeddah Economic Company, and is a founding member of Playon and Zero Carbon Ventures.
Simon Roberts
General Manager
British national with a BA (Hons) in Ancient History and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing. Has worked with start-ups across three continents, specialising in scalable structures for rapid expansion. Experienced in commodity markets and government-level engagement; oversees OMME’s IT infrastructure.
Paul Savage
Chief Marketing Officer
American physicist with over 35 years’ international experience. Held senior roles at Gillette and TIMEX, including product development, procurement and global market expansion across Asia. Since 2014 he has focused on structuring, promoting and marketing the Obsidian brand to leading jewellery groups and high-net-worth clients.
Jasmin Memić
Business Development Director
Holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and technology. Oversees corporate structuring, the international sales framework and capital acquisition for OMME, with a background in managing high-value asset transactions and corporate legal agreements.
Marc Segers
Head of Gemology
Belgian, internationally renowned gemmologist with more than fifteen qualifications in gemmology, cutting and polishing, awarded the Laureate van de Arbeid in diamonds by the King of Belgium. Founder of the Gemlab Institute for Gemology and ALGT, Ambassador for the Antwerp Diamond Bourse, Member of the Academy of Mineralogy and contributor to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Augustino Kilugala
Head of Community Engagement & Supply Chain
Tanzanian native of Mwanza — known locally as “Stoneman” — born into a mining family and a respected figure in the gemstone sector. Chairman of Tanzania’s Small Miners Association, he advises government gemologists on valuations and has represented Obsidian internationally for over a decade.
Chris Marais
Head of Project Management
South African with a B.Tech in Quantity Surveying. Serves on multiple corporate boards and is Chairman of Mygaworx Pty Ltd. An Obsidian member since inception, he has overseen African expansion assessments and jointly led feasibility visits and risk profiling.
Johan Grabe
Head of Security & Risk
South African project-management and engineering graduate (BMil, Saldanha Military Academy) who moved from a distinguished military career to found Grabe Construction Pty Ltd in 2000. An Obsidian member since inception, he oversees security and operational risk across the group.
Werner Vosloo
Head of Risk Intelligence
South African BA Law graduate of Stellenbosch University with 17 years in the South African Intelligence Service as Analyst, Collection Officer and Provincial Operational Manager. Since 2004 a security and logistics consultant to corporations, with expertise in international politics and risk analysis.
