Protecting buyers and sellers from fraud and scams
The problem is that large financial transactions are risky, and you could lose money to fraudsters and scammers. This makes you feel fearful about pulling the trigger on big buying decisions.
We believe you should be able to make the transactions you need to grow your business, with confidence and trust. We also understand that transactions are risky and no one likes to be defrauded.
This is why TradeSafe offers bank-supported escrow transactions that eliminates the risk of transactional fraud, scams, bad debt, and irregular expenditure.
Given the continued growth in transactional fraud in South Africa, as well as the increasing lack of trust and confidence between transacting parties, the founders had a common vision of providing a trusted service that ensures both buyer and seller security.
million
in transactions processed across 40 industries
years
as the longest running escrow provider in Africa
merchants
using the tradesafe merchant integration
The Executive Team
Carol O’Brien
BProc – UNISA, MBA – Oxford Brookes
Non-Executive Chairperson
Carol serves as non-executive chairperson on the TradeSafe board. She is leader and mentor to the TradeSafe team, keeping the team on the straight and narrow and ensuring all regulatory provisions are complied with. Carol is former executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa where she worked with 250 American companies operating in South Africa.
Richard Banks
Chief Technology Officer
While Jethro is the Fin, Richard is the Tech. Richard is the CTO of TradeSafe and is responsible for the functioning and strategy of TradeSafe’s vast technology and API infrastructure. Richard leads a team of skilled engineers who aids him in keeping the engine running as well as in our mission to continuously drive innovation. Richard started getting an in-depth understanding of computers by the age of 8. He started a web development business in 2006 and has since worked on projects for major South African businesses, multinationals, universities and government.
Pratika Chung
Bachelor of Business Science (BBusSci)
(Joint Honours) – Rhodes University
Non-Executive Chairperson
Pratika is Senior Manager, Strategic Investments and Alliances, at Standard Bank. She has over +14 years of banking experience with a proven track record of sourcing, negotiating and partnering with strategic fintech’s in driving the innovation agenda of Standard Bank. Pratika’s current role involves working with a portfolio of investee companies as a hands on equity investor.
Jethro O’Brien
BCom Hons – UJ, Earned CFA Level I
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Jethro is the CEO of TradeSafe and is responsible for executing the organisation’s
strategy and overseeing its day-to-day operations. Jethro is a former forensic accountant at KPMG and M&A advisor at auditors EY. He has completed two BCom (Hons) degrees in the areas of Business Intelligence (2005) and Investment Management (2012) – both from the University of Johannesburg – and is currently working towards becoming a CFA charterholder.
Ricardo Rademeyer
Graduate Diploma in Management and MBA –
Australian Institute of Business
Non-Executive Director
Ricardo is Head of Client Solutions, Everyday Banking, at Standard Bank. Ricardo has +20 years successful working experience in the banking sector with two of South Africa’s biggest financial services organisations. The majority of the roles focussing on product development, client solutioning and innovation.
founders and management.