Michelle Phillips

Group Chief Executive, Transnet

Michelle Phillips is Group Chief Executive of Transnet, in the role since March 2024.

Runs the state-owned freight rail, port and pipeline group, which returned to a net profit in the 2026 financial year for the first time in four years.

In the job

  1. Signed 25-year DCT Pier 2 private-sector partnership with ICTSI after court cleared the tender. Source

  2. Pushed procurement reform, cutting out middlemen and overcharging. Source

  3. Returned to net profit (R4.6bn) for FY2026, first in four years, helped by Pier 2 disposal; rail volumes 167.9mt. Source

Career before

  1. Forensic investigator, Special Investigating Unit
  2. 2001Manager, Transnet National Ports Authority
  3. 2019-2020Acting Chief Executive, Transnet Port Terminals
  4. 2020-2023Chief Executive, Transnet Pipelines

Education

B Juris, LLB (Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth); admitted Advocate of the High Court

Sources

  1. businessday.co.za
  2. dailymaverick.co.za
  3. ewn.co.za
  4. businessday.co.za
  5. dailyinvestor.com
  6. engineeringnews.co.za
  7. engineeringnews.co.za
  8. en.wikipedia.org

Facts last checked 2 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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