Owner and CEO
Cape Peninsula University of Technology – National Diploma: Sales and Marketing
University of Witwatersrand – B-Tech Degree: Marketing and Sales Management
Ian Smith’s journey from a sales representative to the owner of a thriving pharmaceutical marketing company is a testament to the power of experience and relationships. With 30 years of hands-on experience, including accolades such as Sales Representative of the Year for Janssen-Cilag and Export Representative of the Year for 3M Pharmaceuticals when he started his career, Ian has cultivated a wealth of knowledge that is invaluable for companies looking to penetrate the Namibian market.
His ability to forge meaningful connections within the industry has allowed Smith’s Marketing to develop tailored marketing strategies that resonate with local healthcare providers and consumers alike. Ian has strengthened and build his client relationships from wholesaler level through to doctor and pharmaceutical level over the last 25 years in Namibia fondly referred to as “Smittie” in the market.
His passion, dependability, integrity and ability for problem solving is imperative in safeguarding his relationships on wholesaler and client level with some of his sales representatives in his employment for more than a decade which speaks to his level of employer / employee relationships.
Business Development Manager
Barend (aka) Berrie is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. He embarked on his career in 2002, joining GlaxoSmithKline, where he quickly developed a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sales and marketing. His tenure at GlaxoSmithKline equipped him with valuable insights into market dynamics and customer needs, laying the groundwork for his future success.
Following his time at GlaxoSmithKline, Berrie took on a pivotal role at Eli Lilly, further enhancing his expertise in the pharmaceutical landscape. His strategic thinking and innovative approach helped drive product visibility and market penetration, making a significant impact on the company’s goals.
For the past 15 years, Berrie has been instrumental in Sales and Marketing for Nampharm, where he honed his skills in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns and sales strategies. His experience across various fields and markets has enabled him to navigate complex market environments and build strong relationships with healthcare professionals and stakeholders.
Now, Berrie is bringing his extensive background to the Smiths team. His diverse experience and deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry will be invaluable assets as the team continues to innovate and expand its reach. With a proven track record of success and a commitment to excellence, Berrie Leff is poised to make a significant contribution to the Smiths organization.
Business Operations Manager
R/N Debra Smit – @ DS Regulatory – Regulatory and Pharmacovigilance Management
Four Year – Diploma Course: General Nursing, Community, Psychiatry and Midwifery, Theatre Scrub sister
Debra is an incredible force in the Smiths Team, with over 25 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry obtained in South Africa and Namibia. She started her pharmaceutical career at Aspen (Pharmacare); after running a Surgical Day Care theatre in Edenvale, where she scrubbed for well-known Maxilla- Facials like Dr Eliott Shevel, Dr Costa Nicolopolous and Dr Julian Rumback. After a year and a half of being at Aspen she was poached by HMR (Now Sanofi)- where she quickly rose to a Specialist Representative due to her vast knowledge and excellent specialist relationships with Key Opinion Leaders – winning Over-achiever awards due to her over achievement of Sales Targets and successful use of Dr scripting Data.
In 2006, she started ImpactRX with the directors; where she supported and trained new Client Customers to successfully understand the Dr specific scripting data and signing up new companies; training the representatives and BI Managers; as well as the new Key Account Managers at ImpactRx; as the company expanded on new Products eg : Incentives , Dr Grading, Territory Planning. ImpactRx was sold to IMS (now known as IQVIA); and this is where her Namibian adventure began.
Debra Joined Smiths in 2016, heading up the Data Management and Sales division, collating the sales data from the two main wholesalers from their On- Line Platforms and also managing the Ex-factory Sales by Company; Setting Targets for the Representatives and Guiding them on their territory contribution Splits to achieve optimal use of their time in Field and guiding the representatives to Call on their Top Clients per area.
Because she needed another Challenge – she took on assisting the contracted Companies in assisting them with their Regulatory Requirements at the NMRC (Namibian Medicine Regulatory Council); where Smiths acts as their Legal Entity in Namibia, as required by law.
Debra has developed an invaluable relationship with the Regulatory Pharmacists at NMRC due to her Face-to-Face Business relationship and Responding to their Regulatory Requirements by producing the correct requirements and any deficient data they require timeously. Debra assists and tracks all Submissions and Notifications from NMRC to the contracted companies, advising them and assisting them with updated Requirements from NMRC
Head of Finance (FD)
Danica commenced her career in the Hospitality Industry of Cape Town, South Africa where she led the General Management of an Italian Restaurant Group, overseeing all Financial and Human Resource Management Operations. In advancement of Career Opportunities, she relocated abroad to the United Kingdom, England where she was designated as Accounts Payable Officer with Caledonia Oil & Gas. With the acquisition of Caledonia Oil & Gas by E.ON Ruhrgas AG (A German Oil & Gas Company) she found continuance in her position as Accounts Payable Officer, managing the multi-million dollar company’s bureau payments and expenditures, based in Westminster, London.
After a well-established foundational career of 4 years, in her respective trade in the United Kingdom, Danica proceeded to return to South Africa. In the years following, she had met Ian Smith (CEO of Smiths Marketing), married in 2009, and relocated to Namibia, Africa. Danica joined Smiths Marketing (lieu Smiths Distributors) in 2012. With her vast foundational experience in management of financial accounts payable, she continued to oversee all Operational and Financial aspects of the business.
Today, Danica is Head of Finance of Smiths Marketing, and administers all Financial and Human Resources related functions, with the partnership of outsourced Accounting and HR partners ensuring transparency and TAX compliance. Ever enthusiastic, Danica is currently advancing her career in Criminal Profiling in Behavioural Forensic Sciences, online via Evidentia University, Florida (USA).
Financial Administrator
With over seven years of experience in debtor management within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, she is a dedicated professional known for her strategic approach to financial operations and client relations. Her expertise extends beyond debtors, as she has also spent over a year honing her skills in marketing and reservations, further enriching her versatile skill set. Driven by a passion for excellence and a keen understanding of market dynamics, Chante continuously seeks opportunities to innovate and improve processes. She believes that effective communication and teamwork are key to achieving outstanding results in any business environment.
Chante joined Smiths in 2024
Office Manager
Kathy Brendell joined Smith’s in 2016 and is our dedicated and dynamic office manager who ensures the smooth and efficient operation of our office, she manages everything from administrative tasks to assisting in financial duties, ensuring that our office environment is productive and well-coordinated.
Kathy is known for her friendly and approachable demeanour, making her an invaluable part of our team. Her dedication to maintaining a positive and efficient workplace ensures that our office runs smoothly and effectively. Kathy oversees all deliveries and distribution of POS material to the relevant representatives and is an invaluable member of the Smith’s team.
We have over 2 decades of experience in the Namibian Market, since 1999 with a proven track record and agencies such as Inova, Astellas, Cipla and Mirren whom have been with Smiths since the company was founded in 1999.
Smith’s Distributors CC
PO BOX 30731, Pionierspark, WHK