Fox Networks Group announces new Africa executive team

22 Aug 2016

Fox Networks Group Europe and Africa has announced a new executive structure for Fox Networks Group, Africa. Gary Alfonso will join the organisation as general manager with complete strategic and operational responsibility for the sub-Saharan operations of FNG and National Geographic Partners.

Gary Alfonso

Reporting to Adam Theiler, EVP Nordics, Turkey, Greece, Israel and Africa, Alfonso will join the organisation on 29 August 2016. In addition, Nami Patel will become CFO, UK and Africa; and Makhosazana Khanyile is the new director of sales and marketing.

Commenting on the appointment, Theiler said: “Our genre defining brands are market leaders in Africa, delivering year on year growth over the past three years. Gary’s 29 years of leading industry experience will continue to drive our success, evolving our businesses to meet the changing media landscape as we bring the best in Entertainment, Factual and Sports programming to audiences across the continent.”

In turn, Alfonso, commented, “I am delighted to be joining FNG Africa and being part of some of the most globally recognised entertainment channels and brands. Working with the highly talented team in the FNG Africa office, I look forward to helping the business increase its regional footprint, in a challenging and dynamic media environment.”

Prior to joining FNG, Alfonso was chief operating officer for Gotel Communications, with full responsibility for all operational management and staff. Previous roles include managing director for CNBC Africa, and general manager for Summit TV. Alfonso holds an MBA from Henley.

As part of the executive restructure, Patel has been appointed CFO, UK and Africa - expanding her current role as Vice President of Business Development, Fox Networks Group, Europe and Africa. Joining 21^st Century Fox in 2010, Patel spent the first four years of her tenure as finance and corporate development director. In this role, Patel worked closely with 21^st Century Fox business units across Europe and Asia, with a leading role in M&A transactions in the region. Patel is a Chartered Accountant and started her career at Deloitte within the Assurance & Advisory Group, focusing on the Products, Services and TMT industries.

In the final change to the FNG Africa business, Khanyile has been announced as director of sales and marketing. Joining FNG Africa as head of marketing in January 2015, Khanyile will be working closely with Alfonso across all communications, on-air, advertising sales and marketing initiatives for the multiple channel brands in the region.

Fox Networks Group Africa, part of Fox Networks Group Europe and Africa, operates 8 channel brands and websites including Fox, FX, Fox Crime, Fox Sports, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Gold and BabyTV.