Staff Writer
The Ohlthaver & List (OL) Group has recognised nine employees as its F26 OL Persona Champions of 2029 for their contributions to the Group and the way they demonstrate the OL Persona through their everyday actions and behaviours.
The employees were recognised at an awards evening held at Midgard on 25 September 2026.
The OL Persona Champion of 2029 is a peer-recognition programme through which employees nominate colleagues who make a positive difference to their teams, customers and the wider business.
Nominations are refined and selected at operating company level before being reviewed by an independent group committee.
Each operating company selects an overall OL Persona Champion of 2029 for the financial year.
Chief experience officer, Franziska Rüeck said the OL Persona was reflected in how employees interacted with others and shaped their experiences.
She said everyday actions, including listening, responding when things go wrong, taking ownership and helping others, were important in bringing the OL Persona to life.
Executive chairman Sven Thieme told the champions that the future the Group was creating depended on how employees showed up every day.
He encouraged the winners to act as ambassadors and custodians of the OL Persona within their respective operating companies by setting an example and inspiring others through their work and leadership.
The overall winners will, during their reigning year, undertake a giving-back project aligned with the Group’s Vision 2029 metrics.
According to OL, the projects will aim to create value for their businesses or communities by using available resources, partnerships and support.
The winners will also participate in what OL calls “The Thrive Experience”, a programme designed to provide new perspectives, experiences and connections.
The Group’s annual OL Persona survey is currently under way, with a target of reaching an 85% score by the end of June 2029.
Rüeck said the survey score was intended to measure the extent to which the OL Persona was being adopted, rather than being an end in itself.
The F26 OL Persona Champions of 2029 are Cristiane Eberle of Broll Namibia, Gabriel Nakutumba of Hangana Seafood, Lancelot Hill of Hartlief, Johannes Shilongo of Kraatz, Clement Lens of Mach 10, Markus Mutitu of Namibia Dairies, Nico Louw of OL Centre, Otto Anaubeb of OL Leisure and Drienie Ellis of Model.
