Melanie Forbes

Melanie Forbes is Chief Marketing Officer of Cell C, leading Marketing, Corporate Affairs and Digital Omni Channel transformation to accelerate growth, build trust and modernise the brand for South Africans.

A strategic builder and vision‑driven leader, Melanie is known for evidence‑led storytelling that blends insight, creativity, customer economics and narrative economics, translating strategy into measurable impact with disciplined returns and a focus on the commercial levers of sustainable growth. Her leadership sits at the intersection of brand, commercial growth, customer experience, digital capability and corporate reputation. With over three decades across telecommunications, IT and consumer electronics, she integrates brand strategy, customer insight and technology‑led capability into growth platforms that drive customer value, revenue performance and long‑term brand equity.

Previously at Vodacom South Africa for nearly 15 years with last role as Managing Executive: Consumer Marketing, Insights & Research, she was instrumental shape brand strategy and played a pivotal role in the landmark transition from blue to red. Earlier roles with Philips, NetFlorist (NetActive), Siemens and Nokia Siemens Networks give her a distinctive global‑meets‑local perspective.

At Cell C she is leading a bold brand reset: refreshing identity, embedding purpose, strengthening stakeholder trust and enabling modern marketing and digital capabilities with trackable outcomes. Passionate about developing high‑performing teams, she actively advances women leaders across the business value chain.

Melanie holds executive education from Harvard Business School, INSEAD and GIBS, a BA in Psychology & Communications (UNISA), plus PMP and Executive Coaching credentials.