The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) recently prioritised diversity when updating its Listings Requirements (effective 16 February 2026) with initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This agenda emphasises board diversity across gender, race, age, and culture, with a sharpened focus on age inclusion as part of its broader agenda to foster equitable and representative corporate leadership.
While gender and race remain important considerations, the inclusion of age diversity underscores the JSE’s recognition of the value of intergenerational collaboration in driving sustainable growth. This progressive step ensures that boards reflect not only demographic representation but also a balance of generational perspectives, skills, and experiences.
Embracing age diversity will not only enrich decision-making but also strengthen South Africa’s position as a competitive and socially responsible market on the global stage.
One company that has embraced the JSE’s agenda is Huge Group, a South African investment holding entity focused on building and managing strategically integrated enablement ecosystems.
On 1 September 2025, Huge Group appointed Ms Rachelle Douglas, aged 28 years and 9 months at the time, as its Chief Reporting Officer. Based on our research, Huge Group has made history by appointing Rachelle Douglas as the youngest ever director of a JSE-listed company, a move that not only embraces age as a vital element of diversity but also strikes a powerful chord for gender representation at the highest level of corporate leadership.
Other companies to embrace youth on their boards is Purple Group, who appointed Thando Maseko in 2025, aged 29 at the time, Ayo Technology Solutions, who appointed Siphesihle Nkosi in 2026, aged 29 at the time, Anglo American Platinum, who appointed Thevendrie Brewer in 2024, aged 32 at the time.
Rachelle is a Chartered Accountant who previously served as a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. She also led complex audit engagements for KPMG and contributed to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s Proactive Monitoring Programme.
Since joining the Huge Group team, Rachelle has played an important role in financial reporting and brings strategic insights into her current role as Chief Reporting Officer at Huge Group, where she is responsible for overseeing portfolio-wide reporting, and regulatory compliance. Rachelle also provides support for executive-level decision making across Huge Group’s Investment Portfolio of 18 entities.
Huge Group’s origins lie in the telecommunications sector, having listed on the Alt X of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in August 2007, moving to the Main Board in 2015. Over the years, Huge Group has deliberately evolved from a telecommunications company into an investment holding entity focused on acquiring and managing a portfolio of strategically integrated, complementary enablement investments as part of a long-term vision of creating an ecosystem of enablement capabilities. These investments are combined and leveraged to empower commerce, deepen customer relationships, and drive digital transformation.
“Age diversity is critical to building resilient and forward-looking organizations,” said Veran Kathan, Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Huge Group and the Chairman of its Nomination Committee.
“By encouraging companies to integrate younger voices alongside seasoned expertise, Huge Group is cultivating a leadership team that is innovative, inclusive, and better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world.”
