A+Students appoints new CEO

Andy Raouna

A+Students (Pty) Ltd chairlady Marlene Mouton announced that Andy Raouna who has been with the group in an advisory capacity since 2016 has been appointed as CEO.

According to Mouton the impact that he has had on the franchised business has already been felt and the appointment coincides with the company’s growth strategy to expand the brand not only within the borders of South Africa but internationally as well.

“Trading conditions are extremely tough even in the education industry in which we operate, but we have our eye firmly on the target and we know what we want to achieve. The appointment comes at the right time when we need expertise to continue building the brand here and also gives us the time and space to concentrate with our international expansion. We have already opened our first office in the U.S. and will start operating in the next few months” said Mouton.

A+Students is a home grown educational franchise specialising in educating children from as young as 2 ½ years old maths and mental arithmetic through the use of the Japanese abacus. They are the market leaders in their field with franchises from Cape Town to Polokwane and are no strangers to the international stage as they are affiliated to PAMA, the world’s largest abacus overseeing body. In 2017 A+Students successfully hosted the PAMA global championships at the Hilton, Sandton with 17 countries attending.

Mouton added that their students can compete on an equal level with their international counterparts. Top student, Stiaan Scheepers aged 10, has again been invited to participate in the World Mental Maths championships which will be held in Germany later this year. Last year Stiaan achieved a 10th place even after he spilt a can on cold drink on his exam paper. “This year we are aiming for a top 3 position with no cold drinks in sight” quipped Mouton.