Héra Mpondo

The world's leading diamond mining company, with expertise in exploration, mining and marketing of rough diamonds. Senior Strategy Analyst, Strategy Development

• Advised the Strategic Choices team in identifying, evaluating, and recommending key strategic decisions as a coherent set of 'where to play and how to win' choices for De Beers' core diamond mining and selling businesses.

• Provided rigorous analytical support to enhance decision-making and recommendations.

• Developed a Return on Marketing Investment model to assess category marketing investment opportunities and projected sales for diamond jewellery.

• Engineered a new modelling approach for Reasonable Prospect of Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE).

• Strategically supported negotiations in Botswana by employing the OTIUM value framework to measure and highlight De Beers' contributions to the country.

• Designed and implemented an analytical framework for evaluating sustainability and carbon neutrality commitments within host countries.

• Conducted comprehensive opportunity assessments, including valuation, modelling, market trends, and competitive landscape analysis.

• Contributed to the Diamond Insight Report, outlining strategies for industry participants to target key market segments and drive demand.

Primarily responsible for developing forecasting & planning techniques, delivering global sales forecast for short term (1-5 year) price and sales. Achieved Planning & Strategy team objectives by providing insights through rigorous analysis, supporting the implementation of the distribution strategy.

• Enhanced forecast accuracy and strategic alignment for the Strategy team through advanced analytical frameworks tailored to the diamond industry. Delivered impactful presentations to expedite senior management decision-making.

• Delivered comprehensive business planning and forecasting reports to the CEO and leadership team, aligning business objectives with strategic goals. Ownership of the supply demand model.

• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis, programming, proficiently managing complex data using tools such as Tableau, Power BI, SQL, Excel/VBA, and R.

• Strengthened stakeholder management by consolidating insights and leveraging OTIUM and RPEEE opportunities. Provided training and facilitated information exchange to enhance strategic initiatives.

• Recognized for innovative thinking, generating new ideas and approaches, such as the Diamonds Supply Early Warning System, which received positive feedback for its creativity and effectiveness.

Anglo American, London, UK A global mining company with a portfolio that spans diamonds, platinum, copper, iron ore & more.

Scope: Thermal Coal / Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) / Copper / Nickel / Chrome.

• Oversaw comprehensive reporting for financial and physical trading, market exposure, and P&L metrics across multiple commodities.

• Led cross-departmental projects such as Risk Management software implementation, including South Africa domestic sales and RPM performance reporting, ensuring alignment and efficiency.

• Managed risk reporting processes to provide accurate and timely insights into market conditions and trading performance.

• Developed and implemented reporting frameworks across Singapore and South Africa to enhance transparency and decision-making for senior management.

• Collaborated with various departments to ensure cohesive risk management strategies and accurate performance assessments. Extensive travel to Singapore and Johannesburg.

Short Term PGMs Sales Manager and Trader, Anglo American PLC, London, UK

Rotated within the PGMs Trading & Sales team in London, focusing on sales planning, market analysis, and strategy development to drive positive margins.

• Engineered tactical plans for PGMs sales to drive strategic sales planning and positive margins.