At Plane Tree Capital, we take a purposeful and strategic approach to investing, combining expertise with a deep commitment to creating value. Our philosophy is built on three core pillars:
We prioritize safeguarding your investments by implementing rigorous risk managemen strategies. Your trust is our foundation, and we strive to preserve and protect your capital at every step.
Our focus is on unlocking growth opportunities that deliver measurable returns. Through tailored financial solutions and strategic investments, we help your capital thrive in competitive markets.
Beyond financial returns, we aim to make every investment meaningful. Our strategies are designed to create sustainable, positive impacts for businesses, communities, and the environment, ensuring your legacy endures.
Private credit offers a low-risk, stable alternative to other fixed-income investments. Each loan we provide is primarily secured by the financed asset, with additional securities added when needed. Senior secured debt ranks highest in repayment priority, providing a secure foundation for investors.
The Strength of Private Credit
Private credit delivers consistent returns of approximately 8% annually, rivaling global equity returns over the past two decades but with significantly lower volatility. It offers portfolio diversification with low-risk, stable returns, ranking higher in security than equity investments.
Plane Tree Capital (Pty) Ltd is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 51788).
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Chris started his career in corporate finance with PSG before moving to London, where he worked at a hedge fund as an equity analyst for five years. Since returning to South Africa in 2011, he has been managing both local and offshore private client portfolios. Chris was appointed as Managing Director of Plane Tree Equities in 2024.
Stefan Du Preez holds a diploma in Logistics and Transportation Management, specializing in Operations Management. With 19 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, Stefan worked as an Operations Foreman at Natref Sasol, where he developed a deep understanding of complex operational processes. His extensive background in the transport and logistics sectors has equipped him with a thorough knowledge of the operational environment, enabling him to excel in optimizing efficiencies and streamlining operations. After his time at Sasol, Stefan joined the Plane Tree Capital team, where he continues to apply his expertise to drive success and innovation within the operations of the organization.
Toivo Khumalo is an analyst at Plane Tree Capital, bringing a wealth of experience from his career in finance and commodities trading. He studied Economics at the University of Pretoria. After serving as an administrative assistant at Leaders Unlimited for 11 months, Toivo transitioned to Investec Private Bank, joining the High Net Worth Banking team in 2021. At Investec, Toivo managed local/offshore accounts for the bank’s high net worth client base. In 2023, Toivo ventured into commodities trading, familiarizing himself particularly with the South African chrome industry. His expertise in this area led to his introduction to Plane Tree Capital, where he now serves as an analyst, leveraging his background to contribute to the firm’s growth and success.
Chad Brainin is a qualified Chartered Accountant(SA). He completed his postgraduate studies at the University of The Witwatersrand in 2020. Chad spent 3 years completing his articles in the financial services sector at a Tier 2 bank where he gained exposure across internal auditing, financial reporting, business and commercial banking, and strategic finance at a Group level. Chad joined Plane Tree Capital as an analyst in August 2024.
Emilio joined Plane Tree Capital in April 2023 as an analyst. Prior to this, he gained valuable experience in the Fintech sector, specializing in business development and strategic operations. At Plane Tree Capital, Emilio is responsible for structuring and executing deals, managing borrower relationships, and overseeing operations within the loan book. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth transaction processes and actively monitoring the performance of the portfolio. Emilio holds an honours degree in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management from the University of Cape Town.
While completing his qualification of BCom Financial Management, Stephen undertook varying jobs in the motor vehicle industry. Since 2006 he has been involved in a private company, trading and distributing agricultural commodities between Asia and Africa, as Managing Director. Stephen is also responsible for the management of several listed and unlisted investments held by his family office. Stephen co-founded Plane Tree Capital in March 2021
Duncan Potts is a qualified CA(SA) and a CFA charter holder. He spent 2 years in London and Amsterdam working in financial services prior to returning to South Africa. Duncan joined Challenger Trade Finance Fund in 2017 and was instrumental in growing AUM from 17md when he joined to USD 60md at its peak. Duncan managed a significant portion of the book and worked in all facets of the business including finance and capital raising. Duncan co-founded Plane Tree Capital in March 2021.
Richard Hart holds a B.Bus.Sci in Finance and Economics specialising in international trade. After spending 13 years as a commodities and mining analyst with tier 1 global investment banks, Richard joined Challenger Trade Finance Fund as an equity partner in 2017. His experience gained as an analyst allows him to understand and manage shifts in commodity markets for live funded transactions. Richard co-founded Plane Tree Capital in March 2021.