CFO and COO, Peter Manettas Seafood and ShoreTrade

Mark Esterhuizen is the perfect mix between an entrepreneur, seasoned operator and disruptor. Starting his first company at 16 and involved in many ventures since, entrepreneurship runs in his blood, but equally recognised the strength of the CA(SA) brand and how it could enhance his skill set as an individual in business.

Mark completed his articles at KPMG, within Financial Services. Leveraging this experience, he ventured to international shores, working for a management consulting firm in New York and later returning to South Africa, acting as a portfolio manager at one of the country’s top performing investment managers.

Leaving local shores again, Mark identified, advised and worked with the fastest-growing tech companies in Australia and across APAC. Consulting to an Australian founder, Mark designed the strategic growth plan and IPO strategy for what was very much a business in its infancy but possessed great potential.

Appointed COO and CFO at 29, today he is scaling two of Australia’s and Asia Pacific’s fastest growing technology companies delivering growth rates in excess of 1 000%. The group develops innovative digital marketplaces and technologies that are transforming old-world industries into the digital age.

Mark has led the group since 2019, increasing annualised gross merchandise value (GMV) from $600 000 to more than $50 million. Raising $30 million for the group, Mark has enabled both brands to become trusted Australian brands in-market.

Manettas Seafood Market has scaled from a small Sydney only D2C offering to a national brand servicing more than 40 000 households. Recognised for its transformation across the industry, it was awarded as Australia’s best seafood company in 2022.

ShoreTrade is a seafood marketplace (the Amazon for fish) having facilitated trade across seven different countries connecting more than 1 000 fishers, growers and producers to buyers across the globe. It’s award-winning technology via a landmark deal, is exclusively powering the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere (the Sydney Fish Market).

Bringing much-needed provenance/transparency to industries, ShoreTrade is also dramatically improving stakeholders’ livelihoods, increasing price points while shortening and simplifying supply chains.

Supported by joint ventures with major market players and international governments wanting to solve food scarcity issues, the ShoreTrade technology is moving into other fresh primaries.

Although living and working abroad, Mark mentors/advises proudly South African businesses. During the recent looting, he jointly created a community initiative called ‘It’s Going Home’ raising more than $20 000 to support SMEs and local community businesses.

Mark is at the forefront of fresh produce supply chain transformation, delivering sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow.