1st June 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
C.O Designs Ushers in a New Era with 52% Black Female Ownership
Cape Town, South Africa – C.O Designs Holdings Group is embarking on an exciting new chapter as seasoned professionals, Bernadette Isaacs and Lerato Moledi, acquire a majority stake in the company, resulting in a 52% black female-owned office furniture manufacturer, reaffirming & strengthening C.O Designs BEE Level 2 status. This strategic shift is aligned with the company’s long-standing commitment to inclusive & sustainable growth, and the continued evolution of innovative workspace solutions.
As part of this transition, Isaacs and Moledi assume operational control of C.O Designs Holdings Group, which includes the following subsidiaries:
- C.O Designs Manufacturing
- C.O Designs (Pty) Ltd
- C.O Designs Corporate (Pty) Ltd
- Hybrid Office Designs (Pty) Ltd
Long standing Shareholders, Raymond Ellerbeck and Graham Radford, remain in leadership roles ensuring continuity, mentorship and the preservation of the company’s strong industry relationships.
Continued Commitment to Excellence
For over three decades C.O Designs has been a trusted name in workspace solutions, and this transition reinforces its mission to provide cutting-edge, high-quality products while fostering transformation and opportunity within the sector. The leadership structure remains robust, as the current executive team continues unchanged, preserving institutional knowledge and customer confidence:
- Marizanne Steenkamp – Executive: Sales & Marketing
- Anton Wienand – Executive: Production & Support
- Bridgette Guluja – Manager: Sales Admin
- Ashraf Le Roux – Manager: Factory & Manufacturing
Meet the New Leadership
Bernadette Isaacs – A Visionary in Leadership & Industry Growth
With over 25 years of experience in human resources, project management, skills development, and executive leadership, Bernadette Isaacs brings a wealth of expertise in operational structuring, stakeholder engagement, and strategic business growth. She has a proven track record of coordinating industry initiatives, implementing sustainable business strategies, and developing leadership frameworks that drive organisational success.
Her leadership roles at the South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI) and the Western Cape Furniture Initiative (WCFI) have positioned her as a recognised advocate for growth and transformation in the furniture manufacturing industry. With her background in strategic planning and governance, Isaacs is well-equipped to steer C.O Designs towards new opportunities and sustainable expansion.
Lerato Moledi – A Powerhouse in Business Development & Project Management
A multi-skilled professional with 20 years industry experience, Lerato Moledi, has a remarkable history of managing multi-million-rand contracts across various industries, including financial, government, and infrastructure sectors. With extensive expertise in sales, project management, and relationship-building, she has led teams to consistently deliver beyond expectations.
Moledi has played a pivotal role in expanding market share, developing innovative sales strategies, and managing large-scale projects. Her tenure at C.O Designs as General Manager has demonstrated her ability to drive growth, foster strong partnerships, and enhance operational efficiency. Her leadership is rooted in market responsiveness, strategic collaboration & partnerships and delivering projects on time. As a new Shareholder and Director, she is well positioned to elevate the company’s market positioning.
Building on a Legacy, Shaping the Future
This acquisition signifies more than a shift in equity - it brings a bold and visionary team with a renewed focus on sustainable growth and transformation. C.O Designs is strategically positioned to continue its legacy of innovation, customer-centric solutions, and strong business partnerships. The enhanced BEE status will support broader collaboration opportunities with businesses across sectors while reflecting the inclusive values on which the business was built.
“This transition marks an exciting new era for C.O Designs. With a clear vision for the future and with Bernadette and Lerato leading the charge, we are confident that the company is well-positioned for its next chapter of growth as we continue to evolve” said Raymond Ellerbeck, Founder & Director of C.O Designs Holdings.
C.O Designs remains steadfast in its mission of ‘Engineering the Evolution of Workspaces’ - a promise to continuously adapt, innovate, and lead in designing functional, modern, and sustainable office solutions that support the needs of a changing world.
For marketing & media enquiries, please contact:
Bernadette Isaacs - Bernadette@COdesigns.co.za
This press release is issued by C.O Designs Holdings Group. For more information, visit www.COdesigns.co.za or contact the team directly.
