Andre John Van Niekerk

Head of Marketing @ Webber Wentzel

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

About

With over 14 years of experience in corporate communications, I lead the marketing and external communications strategy for Webber Wentzel, a leading African law firm and member of the Linklaters global network. I am responsible for enhancing the firm's reputation, strengthening its market position, and driving strategic engagement with clients, media, and key stakeholders across Africa and beyond. My career has been built on developing and executing high-impact communications strategies that support business growth, protect and enhance corporate reputation, and position organisations as leaders in their respective industries. I have worked with some of the world's most prominent organisations across the mining, telecommunications, financial services, and retail sectors, advising on reputation management, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and crisis communications. Passionate about the power of strategic storytelling, I bring a commercially focused approach to communications, combining deep stakeholder insight with a strong understanding of business priorities to deliver meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Experience

  • Head of Marketing at Webber Wentzel
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  • Deloitte (City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa)
    • Brand, Marketing & Communications Lead
      Oct 2023 - Dec 2025 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    • Senior Manager - Brand & Communications, Audit & Assurance
      Mar 2022 - Oct 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Edelman (5 yrs 5 mos)
    • Account Director
      Oct 2021 - Mar 2022 · 6 mos

    • Senior Account Manager
      Oct 2017 - Oct 2021 · 4 yrs 1 mo

    • Account Manager
      Nov 2016 - Sep 2017 · 11 mos

  • Senior Account Manager at Magna Carta
    Oct 2015 - Oct 2016 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Brunswick Group (3 yrs 8 mos)
    • Executive
      Jun 2013 - Sep 2015 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Role: Support client teams and provide early warning on potential issues. Responsibility: Daily review of various news sources to stay abreast of current events; Assisting client teams with all aspects of Brunswick’s offering, including, financial and corporate communication, media relations, day-to-day issue management, crisis communications, and M&A communications; Drafting core documentation including media releases, factsheets and Q&A documents; Managing third party suppliers; Developing networks with media and analyst communities relevant to clients sectors; Coordinating day-to-day media queries. Acquired skills: o Client support, advisory and solution services o Client consultation strategies and formalities o Developing communications strategies o Managing client expectations o Building media and analyst networks o Content development for media o Core document and report creation o Coordinating third party providers o Utilizing non-traditional media on behalf of clients o Conducting interviews and internal polls to track sentiment o Recognising opportunities to increase the scope of accounts

    • Intern
      Feb 2012 - May 2013 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Role: Provide support to the client team and assist with research on accounts. Responsibility: Daily review of various news sources to stay abreast of current events; Assisting client teams with relevant research and issue identification; Formatting of documentation to ensure consistency; Proof reading of documentation. Acquired Skills: o Core knowledge of the corporate communications industry o Media monitoring and analysis o Working independently and as part of a team o Timely escalation of critical issues o Client research and issue identification o Accuracy and attention to detail