Brian Dames

Brian Dames was Chief Executive of Eskom Holdings Limited from 1 July 201 until end of March 2014, the national electricity utility in South Africa.

Eskom is one of the largest businesses in South Africa, and ranks among the top power utilities in the world. Eskom generates more than 90% of the electricity consumed in South Africa, which is equivalent to about 40% of the electricity generated on the entire African Continent. In 2005 Eskom embarked on one of the largest electricity expansion programmes in the world. Eskom is vertically integrated, holds the only transmission licence and is one of the largest distributors of electricity in South Africa. Eskom is also a key member of the Southern African Power Pool, involving the 12 electricity utilities in the Southern African Development Community.

Brian started his career with Eskom in 1987 as a Graduate in Training at the Koeberg Nuclear power station. The complexity and diversity of Eskom’s overall activities provided the opportunity for Brian to gain experience in the operations and management of a large national company. During his tenure at Eskom Brian has held various positions in power stations and in the Eskom head office, including nuclear physicist at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Divisional Information Manager, Engineering manager and later Power Station Manager at coal-fired power plants, General Manager of the Nuclear Division, Managing Director of the Enterprises Division – responsible for the capacity expansion programme, chief Executive Officer of one of Eskom’s subsidiaries, Eskom Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, and Chief Officer (Generation Business). Brian was appointed Chief Executive of Eskom on 1 July 2010.

Brian does not believe in micro-managing those under him. He describes his leadership style as one characterised by “no surprises and tough targets”. In line with his life philosophy of “treating everybody with honesty and respect”, he believes in setting clear leadership-behaviour expectations and then allowing the leaders “to get on with it”.

The nature of Eskom’s business, and particularly the international equipment and services suppliers to Eskom, has provided Brian with insights and experience in the international markets as well as at a national political and government level.

Brian is also a family man. He is married to Stephney and the couple has two children, Christian and Nicole. Brian enjoys light jazz and a good red wine. He enjoys reading, both thrillers as well as business philosophies. His favourite sport is soccer. Brian and Stephney love camping and the outdoors and are both keen golfers.

Brian has a Batchelor of Science (honours) BSc (Hons) from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stamford University in the USA. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Programme of the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and holds a Graduate Diploma in Utility Management from Stamford University in the USA.

Brian left Eskom at the end of March 2014.