Bertina Engelbrecht is one of South Africa’s distinguished business leaders who steers the affairs of Click Group, one of the country’s top health and beauty retailers. She joined the company in 2006 as the Group Human Resources Director.
With a solid background in law, she brought a unique perspective to the company, leveraging her previous experiences in different roles, including General Manager for Shell SA Energy, Regional Human Resources Manager for Shell Oil Products Africa, and Director of Organisational Effectiveness at Sea Harvest.
In December 2020, Clicks Group expanded her portfolio to include strategic stakeholder engagement. This progression culminated in her historic appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in January 2022, marking her as the first black woman to lead a listed retail group in South Africa. Since assuming the CEO role, Bertina Engelbrecht has led Clicks Group to new heights, steering the company through financial growth and market expansion.
Click Group is a leading retailer in health, beauty, and wellness. It operates the largest retail pharmacy chain in South Africa, with an expanding network of over 930 stores.
The group’s notable retail stores include The Body Shop, known for its ethically produced beauty products; General Nutrition Corporation, a leader in health and nutrition supplements; and Sorbet, a chain of beauty salons offering a range of professional treatments.
Engelbrecht drives retail expansion and financial growth
As of August 2024, Clicks Group operated 877 stores and 715 pharmacies in South Africa and 53 stores and five pharmacies in neighbouring countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, and Lesotho.
In the fiscal year ending August 2024, the Group Turnover increased by 9.2%, reaching R45.4 billion ($24.38 million); Retail Turnover rose by 11.7%, and Trading Margin improved by 50 basis points, now at 9.2%.
Bertina Engelbrecht has led an ambitious store expansion strategy to improve accessibility to Clicks’ products and services. In 2025, Clicks Group received 27 new pharmacy licenses from the Department of Health, which will strengthen its presence in underserved areas. This strategic growth aims to enhance access to healthcare services and products throughout South Africa.
In October 2023, the businesswoman was honoured with the RMB’s Africa’s Fearless Thinker Award at the 11th Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards. This accolade celebrates her innovative thought leadership in addressing gender mainstreaming challenges within the corporate sector.
Bertina Engelbrecht is dedicated to promoting innovation and sustainability in the healthcare retail sector as the company evolves. She strongly emphasises expanding the Clicks Group’s presence, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring financial stability. Under her leadership, the company is entering a new era of inclusive, customer-focused growth.
