Jonathan Smiedt

AN AUTHORITY AMONGST AUCTIONEERS - JONATHAN SMIEDT – CEO:

As one of the most expert and respected auctioneers in the country, Jonathan has conducted some of the largest auction sales of agricultural, commercial, residential property and hotels. Jonathan has played a pioneering role in the development of the auction industry in South Africa and is highly respected in the industry.

Jonathan Russell Smiedt, Founder and CEO of the ClareMart Auction Group, obtained his Baccalaureus Procurationis. After which he was admitted to the Side Bar and practiced law in Cape Town. After his tenure at this law practice, he chose to leave the legal profession and together with a partner formed the ClareMart Auction Group. Jonathan is a founding member of the South African Institute of Auctioneers and assisted his co-founders of this institute in drafting the code of conduct, code of ethics and its constitution. Jonathan is an appointed Appraiser to the High Court and the South African Council of Valuers.

Andrew Koch

MEETING THE CLAREMART EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Talented auctioneer and experienced dealmaker, Andrew Koch has 19 years experience in the auction industry and is widely recognised as one of the best auctioneers in Southern Africa. Having studied quantity surveying and dabbled in public speaking and the training of public speakers, Andrew has many of the attributes that are essential in the auction game. Andrew was quick in developing his own auction “chant” whilst learning many of the fundamental skills of the game.

In 1991, he was keen to make a move beyond the construction industry and proceeded to cut his teeth on motor auctions. He now conducts some of the biggest value commercial and residential property auctions in South Africa. Furthermore Andrew generously donates his time and expertise to various charitable organisations for whom he conducts various fundraising auctions.Passionate about what he does, Andrew serves as a mentor to many in the industry and his professional approach raises the bar in the competitive auction arena.

Farrell Perling

DIRECTOR WITH A PASSION FOR RESULTS:

At the helm of the sales team, Director, Farrell Perling prides himself in delivering results for clients and has led from the front over the past few years.

Having graduated at U.C.T. with a degree majoring in Economics, Farrell brings an all round understanding of the business environment and has assisted strongly in the implementation of new visionary business practices.

Success in the dynamic auction market depends on consistency in service levels and Farrell is constantly embracing new strategies to ensure that the Group produces results for clients - no matter how buoyant or difficult the economic environment may seem.

Dedicated to the ClareMart philosophy of finding the right buyer for the right seller, Farrell ensures that clients receive the personal attention they deserve.For Farrell, setting benchmarks when it comes to service delivery in the auction industry is what it’s about.

Mike Baigel

PROPERTY EXPERT AND MENTOR TO MANY:

Auction Director Mike Baigel, brings an in depth knowledge in the property market and a unique set of skills to the ClareMart team. A graduate from UCT with a Civil Engineering Degree, Mike spent thirteen years as a consulting engineer with a large multi-disciplinary firm in Cape Town. Later he started his own building company and spent a decade building and selling residential properties, as well as private consulting. Mike then became a partner in a commercial brokerage, but his passion remained within the property industry and in 2004, sensing a change in the way the market was moving, joined the ClareMart Auction Group.

His wide understanding and experience of the property market as well as his insistence on service excellence, makes Mike the perfect mentor from which to learn the ropes. In his capacity as director he coaches and guides many young agents starting their careers with the ClareMart Auction Group.

MC Du Toit

AUCTIONEER FROM A LONG LINE OF AUCTIONEERS - DIRECTOR:

The ClareMart Auction Group has recently announced a new member to their Board of Directors. Originally from the Free State, Auctioneer and Auction Agent, MC Du Toit has joined the Board officially from the first of March 2013. 

MC Du Toit is a fourth generation auctioneer and stems from a bonafide auction background. He served as Vice Chairman for SAIA from 2009 to 2011 and gained his experience in both Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal and specializes in property on both the South and East Coasts of South Africa. Since joining the Group in 2011 his skills and curriculum vitae include commercial and residential property and he has conducted auctions for financial institutions and liquidators. MC is capable in the auctioneering of moveable assets and focuses primarily on fixed property. His style and brand of auctioneering is a favourite on the local charity auction circuit.

Marc Roberts

FINANCIAL MANAGER ENSURES BEST PRACTICES:

Financial Manager, Marc Roberts, the latest appointment to the ClareMart Executive Team, ensures that the highest industry standards and practices are maintained at all times. Having studied Cost and Management Accounting at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Marc brings 11 years financial management experience to the table and he takes pride in running a professional and expert financial division. Having completed his articles at one of the leading auditing and accounting firms in Cape Town, Marc started his career as financial manager in the food and beverage industry.

He soon however followed his interest in the property sector, by joining the ClareMart Auction Group.
Marc’s appointment as financial manager in April 2005, testifies to the continuous growth and improvement which is part of the ClareMart philosophy. This innovation however is soundly cemented on stability and reliability throughout all divisions within the ClareMart Auction Group.

Andrew Edelstein

STAR PERFORMER PROVING HIS MANAGEMENT METTLE:

New business development manager Andrew Edelstein is the latest appointment to the ClareMart Executive Team.  A self-starter and entrepreneur, Andrew studied Marketing at Varsity College in Cape Town and owned his own business in the manufacturing industry - corporate and promotional clothing for six years. He soon recognised opportunities in the property market and started working as an independent property broker. After exclusively working with the ClareMart Auction Group for two years, Andrew officially joined the group in January 2008 as an auction property agent.

Since his appointment, he has consistently been one of our star performers and has proved his mettle in the sales arena along with developing management skills. Andrew’s success is firmly built on ambition, persistence and unwavering work ethic and his energy and drive keeps him at the top of his game.

Dawie Maritz

EXPERIENCED AUCTIONEER HAMMERS IT HOME:

Auctioneer, Dawie Maritz, who joined the ClareMart Auction Group’s senior management team in 2006, brings a wealth of experience and market insight to the table. During the nineties he was co-founder of Stellenbosch Trust and Trustee Company Ltd and managed the property and auction division. During this period he was very involved in the farm and commercial property industry in the Boland area.

His passion and continous presence in the property industry during the nineties also widened his interest towards public property auctions, a rather new industry at the stage to the South African Market. Dawie states, “This was a very tough period, educating the market towards public auctions, but very interesting and enriching.”

Today Dawie is a respected auctioneer and specialises in marketing commercial property, hotels and farms and has performed numerous successful auctions in the Western Cape.

Garth Viljoen

ACCOMPLISHED AUCTIONEER WITH A COMPETITIVE EDGE:

Auctioneer and Auction Agent, Garth Viljoen thrives on new challenges and his approach to systems and continual improvement coupled with his desire to be competitive makes him an asset to the team. Garth holds an MBA from an international university and his talent for sales and marketing made the auction industry a natural career choice. He joined the ClareMart Auction Group in 2009 and under the mentorship of executive auctioneers has developed into an accomplished auctioneer who regularly conducts movable and immovable property auctions. Garth has proven a more than capable auctioneer of fine residential homes in the Southern Suburbs and Atlantic Seaboard and is ever on the look-out to increase his scope and experience around the Cape.

Roberto Quintas

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST HARDWIRED FOR PROPERTY

Public Relations and Marketing Communications Manager Rob Quintas is geared for bringing his passion for brands and editorial writing to the ClareMart Auction Group’s skills and service arsenal. Rob is a qualified full-merit post-graduate integrated marketing communicator who specialised in brand management as well as media studies. He added to his extensive communication skills package by capping his qualification in copy and press release writing. His family background is that of an established commercial and industrial property ownership and management firm and this “life” experience as well as being an advertising account and brand manager gave him the platform to match his vision and creative skills to the Group’s premier property auction needs. Rob’s high paced energy mannerism and corporate nature was a glove in hand fit for the culture of the ClareMart Auction Group. This communicator lives by the maxim “onwards and upwards”.

Fadl Hassen

BUSINESS AGENT WITH A PASSION FOR PROPERTY:

Agent, Fadl Hassen has a passion for property and he thrives in the dynamic auction environment. As part of the successful ClareMart Auction Group sales team, Fadl’s focus is to acquire instructions and mandates in the commercial and luxury real estate sectors. This 31 year old joined the group in November 2009 and his motivation to succeed soon set him on the road to success. His management skills acquired during several years in the retail sector, helps him to focus on delivering quality service to all clients. Fadl confesses to enjoying the adrenaline paced auction arena and believes the challenge of closing a deal is what motivates you to chase the next one.

Brandon Platt

AGENT WITH ESTABLISHED SALES CAREER

Agent Brandon Platt is an accomplished sales advisor and negotiator with more than thirty years of experience in that field. The industries and markets that Brandon has worked in allows him to relate to the many challenges faced by property purchasers and sellers alike and his extensive experience in retail has allowed him to work to stringent timelines under pressure. Brandon is an excellent choice for assisting in the purchase of property by the international market as during his export years he accumulated many skills in attending to overseas clients and their needs. Brandon specialises in residential property and has achieved tremendous success in sales of homes and apartments particularly on the Atlantic Sea Board and Southern Suburbs.

Nina Steininger

MARKETING SPECIALIST WITH A RESULTS DRIVEN ATTITUDE

Agent Nina Steininger is dynamite in a small package. This results driven professional qualified with Full Merit Status when specialising in Integrated Marketing Communications. Nina has developed a network of premium property buyers due to her role as Leisure and Fitness Operations Manager for a 5 Star Hotel Group. Her years of experience as client liaison executive and interface marketer allows Nina the ability to reach sellers and purchasers through excellent negotiation skills. Determined and persistent, this petit dynamo thrives on challenge and negotiation. She specialises in Investment Residential, Premium Residential and CBD commercial office space. Nina is fluent in German which allows her to be able to assist in that market which has a high demand for Cape Property.