We have a diverse and dynamic leadership team comprising both Executives and Non-Executives of different ages and experiences and drawn from very different backgrounds. We expect to add to this team consistent with the needs of the business as we continue to expand.
Greg Stevens
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Greg started his career working within the niche market logistics industry in 1997 as an Operator for a well-known global logistics provider. It was there that he showed an understanding and aptitude for the technical subject of dangerous goods, and managed over time to reach senior management level within the company. In January 2001 industry legislation changed and it was mandatory for any person(s) or entity shipping dangerous goods above the prescribed thresholds to appoint a DGSA (Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor). In April 2001 Greg qualified to become one of the youngest Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors in the world which helped to propel his reputation within the industry globally, amassing interest from large blue chip companies who went on to task him with solving some of the most difficult logistics projects the industry has seen, all of which to date have been successful.
For many years, Greg has been developing and founding the network of companies that are either owned or affiliated to Stevens Group BV and its strategic partners. He has travelled extensively throughout his career around the globe starting new business in developing countries and emerging markets – notably within the continent of Africa for which he has a notable and keen interest in his chosen field. Other Career highlights range from designing and manufacturing a bespoke United Nations tested packaging system range which is now sold worldwide to packing companies, shippers, freight agencies and competitors alike, to the implementation of bespoke shipping systems for some of the world’s biggest organisations in the defence, nuclear and energy sector.
Paul V. Taylor
Non-Executive Chairman
Paul’s background and experience mainly evolves from the structured debt and equity markets, he is a maverick entrepreneur and businessman from working class root’s with scant formal academic qualifications. Paul started his career with NatWest Bank in the UK where he spent 17 years before being offered an appointment as the CEO for Rotch Property Group owned by the infamous entrepreneurial duo the Tchenguiz brothers. Whilst there Paul helped to grow a highly leveraged real estate portfolio valued at around £4Bn. From there Paul went on to set up his own Real Estate Fund by the name of Three Delta, where again he built a highly leveraged portfolio of £3.5Bn with sole equity backing from the QIA (Qatar Investment Authority). In 2007 Paul masterminded an audacious £15Bn takeover attempt for Sainsburys PLC, acquiring 25% of its shares overnight.
For the last 5 years Mr Taylor has been investing in the Portuguese real estate market, including both residential and hotel projects – notably that of Vilamoura World in partnership with Lone Star Funds (which ranks as one of the largest real estate transactions in the country). Mr Taylor describes himself as a polemicist and iconoclast with a counter intuitive business philosophy deeply rooted in Social Capitalism. Paul Currently resides with his family in both London and the Algarve, Portugal commuting on a weekly basis between both and investing from time to time in both countries.
Michael Druce
Non-Executive Director
Michael has an extensive background in the logistics industry stretching back over 40 years. After 10 years working for a UK Based International Freight Forwarder he took on a new challenge in the mid 80’s with the renowned Global Express Integrator DHL based initially in London.
His career with DHL then took him to China, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa and Nigeria. During the 20 years he spent in Africa he was instrumental in building a strong operational footprint across the continent allowing DHL to deliver market leading service capability to first world standards. He held a number of executive positions with DHL including Country Manager in Nigeria and South Africa, as well as Operations Director for Africa at SSA (Sub-Saharan Africa) Level.
After a 28 year career with DHL Michael took on Africa Regional Executive roles with Global Security provider G4S, and latterly United Parcel Service (UPS) before stepping down in 2018. Michael now splits his time between homes in South Africa, the UK and Thailand.
Jonathan Van Breda
Chief Operating Officer
Jonathan van Breda has over 10 years of international management and corporate experience, serving in Africa and the UK as well as over 8 years’ experience in corporate and commercial sales.
He joined HAZMAT Global Support Services (a Stevens Group BV company) in South Africa in 2012 as Business Development Manager and worked on various projects for the South African Head Office. In 2014 Jonathan was instrumental to the expansion of Hazmat’s South African operations and opened the Cape Town office and was appointed as Director in 2015.
In 2016, Jonathan spearheaded the continent-wide expansion of HAZMAT Global Support Services, opening the Kenya office which was to be the first of many HAZMAT offices further open across Africa. Jonathan also spearheaded the opening of the Tanzania, Namibia, and Ethiopia offices. Jonathan has been a serving Director for the company for many years and holds directorships across most HAZMAT offices in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2019, Jonathan was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer for Sub Sahara Africa and began focussing on the growth and success of the projects in the African offices. He was further promoted to Chief Operations Officer for Sub Sahara Africa in 2021 and currently oversees all 14 HAZMAT Global Support Services offices across Africa.
Jonathan is widely travelled with a very wide contact network and strong connections in the private sector across many African Countries, at very senior levels.
Edmond Chisanga
Non-Executive Director
Edmond Chisanga has over 40 years of international senior management and corporate experience, serving in both Africa and the UK for 15 years in Accounting and Auditing with Coopers Lybrand as Group Chief Internal Auditor for Century Holdings Group of Companies in Zambia. In 1991, Edmond entered the commercial market as an entrepreneur, acquiring and serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for a group of companies mainly servicing Zambian Mining Industry in Engineering manufacturing, supply and in logistics.
Edmond worked as Chief Executive Officer for Trans Africa Ventures Zambia Limited and TVZ Mining Limited, both entities were mining contractors, funded from Musa Capital, and started from inception growing into major players in mining logistics and contract mining. Edmond also worked as lead consultant to the Ministry of Finance, Republic of Zambia (2009-2012 and Kukula Capital for three years. Kulula Capital is a successful financial and investment advisory firm with origins from Denmark, operating in Zambia, in which he holds the position of Senior Advisor.
Edmond is the co-founder of Northmann Capital, an investment and corporate advisory firm active in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, where he successfully raised both debt and equity excess of $70.0m for various clients in Zambia. Edmond has also Participated in mentorship programs for SMEs and developing Impact funding platforms for SMEs in Zambia. Edmond holds a degree in economics and ACCA from Southwest London School of Accountancy (1980). He is widely travelled with a very wide contact network and strong connections across many African Countries, both in Government and private sector, at very senior levels.
Since our formation, our network has developed into one of the World’s leading logistics and supply chain management networks for hazardous cargoes.