About Us

Founder and Director

Christo is a dedicated entrepreneur and co-founder of Catalyst Solutions, established in 2012 under the VAT IT group. He has played a pivotal role in developing, commercialising, and managing a variety of value-added offerings, including grants and tax incentives, energy efficiency, carbon, and the Econest ESG technology offering with the assistance and dedication of our experienced team.

Before founding Catalyst Solutions, Christo managed the Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP) grant at the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic) and administered various other grant programmes, including the World Bank’s Competitiveness Fund. He later joined Deloitte for seven years, where, before leaving the organisation, he served as an Associate Director, overseeing the management of grants and tax incentives offerings for large-listed entities and multinationals.

Christo has extensive experience working with major companies across diverse industries such as mining, manufacturing, industrial, property, aviation, and logistics. He is committed to helping businesses achieve financial returns and operational efficiency through sustainable and impactful solutions.

Founder and Director

Through his background in law and IT, and due to his passion for innovation, Dov founded Catalyst Solutions and is now involved in assisting companies in the global push towards knowledge based economies. Dov has international consulting experience. Prior to founding Catalyst Solutions, Dov worked at one of Australia’s premier law firms and also spent a number of years at Deloitte.

Under Dov’s leadership, the Catalyst Solutions Innovation Incentives team has expanded into multiple jurisdictions advising a diverse range of clients from start-ups to multinationals on the incentives landscape. He is focused on simplifying the complexities of government bureaucracy and building relationships with clients that feel heard, valued and backed by a team who prioritises their best interest.

Managing Director: Australia

Dave has been working with businesses from all sectors to access various government incentives since 2007. He joined the Catalyst team in 2014 and has since assisted hundreds of businesses in relation to their entitlement to government funding.

He holds a Bachelor of Science, is a Chartered Accountant and a Registered Tax Agent.

Global Head of Sales

Jeff Rosen is a seasoned sales leader with extensive global experience in Tax Incentives, Banking and Financial Services. As the Global Head of Sales at Catalyst Solutions, he is responsible for driving international market expansion, building strategic partnerships, and connecting with new clients to deliver value-driven solutions.

Before joining Catalyst Solutions, Jeff worked at a leading private bank and within the VAT IT Group, where he played a key role in business development and client acquisition across multiple regions. With a strong track record of successfully closing large-scale global deals, he has helped multinational businesses unlock significant value.

Jeff holds a Masters of Commerce degree. Passionate about delivering innovative and effective financial solutions, he is committed to helping companies optimize their financial R&D Tax Incentives and maximize returns on a global scale.

Director: Finance and Operations

Justin is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA), ACA) and a CFA® charterholder, with extensive experience in tax incentives, government grants, corporate finance, and lending. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (Honours) from the University of Johannesburg.

Prior to joining Catalyst Solutions in 2019, Justin worked in corporate finance and lending. As the Director of Finance and Operations at Catalyst Solutions, he oversees the global operations of R&D Tax Incentives and relief. He is responsible for financial strategy, operational efficiency, and business performance, ensuring Catalyst Solutions remains a leader in the industry.

With a strong financial background and a strategic approach to problem-solving, Justin plays a key role in keeping Catalyst Solutions at the forefront of R&D tax incentives and financial advisory services. Leveraging his expertise in tax incentives and government grants, he has successfully guided clients in securing substantial funding and maximising financial benefits.

Head of Technical

Michelle is an experienced R&D tax and innovation specialist who currently leads the Catalyst Solutions’ global technical strategy and delivery.

Michelle is responsible for managing a high-performing team of engineers who have developed strong relationships and a comprehensive understanding of the specific requirements necessary to successfully submit applications to relevant government entities.

Michelle holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering (with Honours) from the University of Cape Town and worked as a chemical engineer in Sasol’s Capital Projects team where she contributed to detailed technology assessments.

With broad R&D expertise across various industries including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, plant breeding, agri-chemicals, and biotechnology, she brings a deep technical understanding to R&D tax.

Senior Manager: Incentives

Jo-Anne Balcorta is a Manager at Catalyst Solutions specialising in grants and tax incentives, bringing nearly a decade of expertise in identifying and securing financial incentives for businesses. As a key member of the Incentives Division, she has successfully managed projects and secured approvals for cash grants and tax incentives across various industries. Her extensive experience spans diverse industries, where she has played a pivotal role in identifying savings opportunities, optimising financial strategies, and driving strategic growth for clients. With strong organisational skills and attention to detail, she also has over three years of experience in implementing quality management systems aligned with SANS/ISO/IEC 17020 standards. Jo-Anne holds a BCom Degree in Financial Management Sciences as well as a BCom Honours in Taxation. Additionally, she has completed the SANS/ISO/IEC SANAS Inspection Body Systems Course and is an active member of the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT) Business Incentives Work Group.

Econest: Head of Software

Daniel has been engineering software solutions for over eight years in both the consulting and in-house space.

Since 2021, Dan has delved into Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and has grown in skills ranging from carbon footprinting and energy calculation to Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainable Development Goals. He focuses on transferring that knowledge into a system that all organizations can leverage for their non-financial reporting, driving better business decisions.

He holds a BSc Computer Science from University of the Witwatersrand as well as a Microsoft certification for C# (70-483).

Senior Manager: Energy and Carbon

Elizna is a versatile engineer with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a strong foundation in chemical engineering. As a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP®) and Technical Signatory for the measurement and verification of energy savings, she excels in quantifying energy efficiency savings and has generated over R400 million in tax allowances through the section 12L energy efficiency tax incentive.

As a Certified Energy Manager (CEM®), Elizna assists organisations in achieving ISO 50001 certification for Energy Management Systems. Her expertise extends to carbon management, where she assists clients in measuring, verifying, and reducing their carbon footprints to meet sustainability goals. Through tailored solutions, Elizna empowers businesses to navigate the complexities of climate change and achieve tangible greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Head of Sustainability

Joslin Lydall is a chemical engineer with over 17 years of experience in sustainability. She has deep technical expertise in various areas of sustainability. She is a SANAS-accredited technical signatory for the measurement and verification of energy. She is accredited by the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) as a lead and independent assessor for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. She has an advanced diploma in packaging technology.

Over her career, Joslin has helped companies to quantify their environmental footprints, set reduction targets, identify reduction projects, and build business cases for these projects. She is also focused on accessing funding for these reduction projects using instruments such as the section 12L energy efficiency tax incentive and carbon credits, amongst others). Joslin has also been involved in reporting of GHG emissions to DFFE, preparation and submission of carbon tax accounts to the South African Revenue Service, helping companies to reduce carbon tax liabilities, and the completion of reports under various Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks. She is passionate about helping companies understand and navigate this complex and ever-evolving ESG space so that they can grow sustainably.

Head of Finance and Operations

Bernhard joined the Catalyst team in November 2015 and has consistently contributed to the growth of the company ever since. He started as a consultant and steadily advanced to his current leadership role. He forms part of the management team in the capacity of Head of Finance and Operations.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in Taxation, equipping him with a strong foundation in financial management and compliance.

Since joining Catalyst Solutions, Bernhard has gained valuable experience servicing some of the most well-known multinationals across a range of sectors.

Senior Manager: Incentives

Pieter has over 10 years of extensive experience in government grants and incentive project management. Prior to joining Catalyst Solutions, he worked at Ernst and Young (EY), where he led various programme portfolios, successfully assisting clients in navigating complex government funding opportunities. His ability to build and maintain strong client relationships has been key to securing approvals for cash grant programmes exceeding R260 million and more than R2 billion in tax incentives benefits.

Pieter holds a BCom in Management Accounting and a BCom Honours in Financial Accounting and is also a qualified Tax Adviser with the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT). He is also a valued committee member of the SAIT Business Incentives Work Group, further showcasing his commitment to staying at the forefront of his field. Known for his strategic approach and dedication to client success, Pieter continues to deliver impactful results across a range of high-profile projects.