Career Biography

Anthea Holland serves as the group general counsel and company secretary for Massmart, where she is responsible for overseeing the Legal and Risk functions across Massmart’s Africa operations spanning eight African jurisdictions. With a distinguished career of over 16 years in law and risk management, Anthea is recognised for her strategic leadership and her ability to develop robust frameworks that enable business growth while managing risk in diverse and complex markets.

Anthea began her journey with Massmart in 2013, joining the Builders Legal Team. Her commitment and expertise quickly propelled her through a series of roles within the Massmart legal department, culminating in her previous position as vice president and assistant general counsel litigation, regulatory, risk, and legal operations. In this capacity, she successfully led teams to favorable outcomes in significant litigation matters, including high-profile arbitration cases in Nigeria and Uganda.

A key architect of Massmart’s enterprise risk management function, Anthea played a vital role in developing and refining the company’s risk appetite and tolerance framework. Her approach is characterised by a strong emphasis on leveraging technology to drive legal efficiencies and embedding best practices throughout the organisation. Anthea’s solution-oriented mindset ensures that the legal and risk functions are not just gatekeepers, but true enablers of Massmart’s broader business strategy across Africa.

As a leader, Anthea is deeply passionate about building and mentoring high performance teams. She is committed to fostering long-term relationships and cultivating a culture of trust with stakeholders and colleagues alike. Her collaborative style and dedication to excellence have been integral in positioning Massmart as a forward-thinking organisation, capable of navigating the complex regulatory landscape of multiple African countries.

Anthea’s vision is to continue driving Massmart’s legal and risk function to support sustainable business growth, ensuring that the organisation not only meets its compliance obligations but also thrives in today’s dynamic environment. Her leadership stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to integrity, innovation, and empowering businesses to succeed across Africa.