CNBC Africa appoints 2011 sales team

He replaces Pule Molebeledi, who is leaving the company to pursue opportunities in the private equity industry.

Growth in audience numbers

"We've seen a steady growth in audience numbers since the channel launched," comments Scholes, "I look forward to great new programming and a change in perception of business media - 2011 will be a prosperous year for both CNBC Africa and ABNdigital."

In his new function, Scholes will be supported by a Johannesburg team of five sales managers - David Frankel, Kudzai Kanyangarara, Maurice Gil, Ntsikelelo Tom, Carl Mellors in Cape Town and Ope Filani and Yemisi Fetuga in Lagos, Nigeria.

Effects of economic downturn

Gary Alfonso, MD comments; "Even though the economic slowdown has had an adverse effect on most media companies, CNBC Africa's advertising and sponsorship revenues have shown a steady increase over the past two years. Some territories, like Nigeria, have delivered growth in excess of 40%. So we remain confident that we have the people and the product to deliver results to shareholders and business television audiences throughout Africa."

Scholes joined CNBC Africa in 2007, when the channel launched, moving up into the role of national sales manager later that same year. He takes on his new position with seven years business television experience, of which two years were spent in London, as well as five years in print, making it a total of 12 years within the media industry.