iOCO Leadership
Meet the leadership team driving technology transformation and innovation across our five clusters.
Non-executive Directors
Jabu Moleketi
Non-executive Director and Board chairman
B Administration, B Com Economics (Honours) Appointed 1 September 2020. Mr Moleketi is a former Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of South Africa and Gauteng Province MEC of Finance and Economic Affairs as well as a director of several companies listed on the JSE Limited. He is non-executive Chairman of PPC Limited and non-executive director of Remgro. He holds postgraduate economics and management qualifications from the University of London and Harvard Business School and has extensive international exposure, extensive strategic leadership skills and in-depth corporate governance experience in both the public and private sectors. He is a non-executive director and shareholder of iOCO’s black empowerment partner, Lebashe Investment Group. Committees: Remuneration and Nominations Committee & Social & Ethics Committee
Lerato Pule
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed 04 December 2025
CA (SA)
Ms. Pule has over 20 years of leadership experience across the telecommunications, financial services, and energy sectors. Ms. Pule currently serves on the board of directors of Phuthuma Nathi Investments (RF) Ltd, a B-BBEE investor in Multichoice SA, where she is the Audit Committee Chairperson.
Previous positions include appointments as the Chief Financial Officer of Liquid Telecommunications South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Liquid SA”) and Cell C and as a Non-Independent Audit and Risk Committee Member of Liquid SA, Cell C and Afrinet, as well as Trustee of the Sasol Batho Trust and Trustee and Chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Telkom Foundation Trust.
iOCO Limited: Chaiperson of Social and Ethics Committee and a Member of Audit and Risk Committee.
CA (SA)
Ms. Pule has over 20 years of leadership experience across the telecommunications, financial services, and energy sectors. Ms. Pule currently serves on the board of directors of Phuthuma Nathi Investments (RF) Ltd, a B-BBEE investor in Multichoice SA, where she is the Audit Committee Chairperson.
Previous positions include appointments as the Chief Financial Officer of Liquid Telecommunications South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Liquid SA”) and Cell C and as a Non-Independent Audit and Risk Committee Member of Liquid SA, Cell C and Afrinet, as well as Trustee of the Sasol Batho Trust and Trustee and Chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Telkom Foundation Trust.
iOCO Limited: Chaiperson of Social and Ethics Committee and a Member of Audit and Risk Committee.
Nompumelelo Mokou
Independent Non-executive Director
Nompumelelo Mokou is a distinguished executive and board member with extensive experience in business transformation, governance, and strategic leadership. In March 2025, she was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Audit & Risk Committee at iOCO. Previously, Nompumelelo served as Managing Director of Dimension Data Southern Africa (now NTT Data) from April 2021 to November 2023, leading significant turnaround initiatives that improved operational efficiencies and drove growth.
Her board experience includes serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee for the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) from 2015 to 2019. During her tenure at Dimension Data Southern Africa, she was also a Board Member, contributing to the strategic decisions that drove the company’s progress and transformation. Additionally, she served as a Trustee of the Dimension Data Provident Fund and an Employee-elected Trustee in Dimension Data’s Employees Empowerment Trust.
Throughout her career, Nompumelelo has been deeply involved in employment equity, diversity, and inclusive leadership, ensuring businesses cultivate a progressive and transformative culture. From 2011 to 2013, she chaired the Soweto branch of the Business Women of South Africa’s Association.
Nompumelelo holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from Stellenbosch University.
Her board experience includes serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee for the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) from 2015 to 2019. During her tenure at Dimension Data Southern Africa, she was also a Board Member, contributing to the strategic decisions that drove the company’s progress and transformation. Additionally, she served as a Trustee of the Dimension Data Provident Fund and an Employee-elected Trustee in Dimension Data’s Employees Empowerment Trust.
Throughout her career, Nompumelelo has been deeply involved in employment equity, diversity, and inclusive leadership, ensuring businesses cultivate a progressive and transformative culture. From 2011 to 2013, she chaired the Soweto branch of the Business Women of South Africa’s Association.
Nompumelelo holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from Stellenbosch University.
Andrew Marshall
Independent Non-executive Director
BCom (Honours)
Appointed 1 September 2020.
Andrew started his career in Sales & Marketing with AECI. He moved to their parent company ICI in the UK before returning to South Africa. He was then Managing Director of a number of smaller, privately owned businesses or divisions of a listed group. He was appointed CEO of the listed group Oceana in 1999, and remained there until 2009 when he joined Nampak as CEO. He retired from Nampak in 2014. He is currently the Chairman of Ster Kinekor Theatres.
Committees: Audit and Risk Committee & Remuneration and Nominations Committee
Appointed 1 September 2020.
Andrew started his career in Sales & Marketing with AECI. He moved to their parent company ICI in the UK before returning to South Africa. He was then Managing Director of a number of smaller, privately owned businesses or divisions of a listed group. He was appointed CEO of the listed group Oceana in 1999, and remained there until 2009 when he joined Nampak as CEO. He retired from Nampak in 2014. He is currently the Chairman of Ster Kinekor Theatres.
Committees: Audit and Risk Committee & Remuneration and Nominations Committee
Executive Directors
Rhys Summerton
Group Chief Executive Officer
Investment Decisions And Behavioural Finance, Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education
Appointed 30 May 2024
Rhys Summerton is the founder and investor at Milkwood Capital, a long-term, value oriented, global investment company, based in the UK.
Since establishing the fund in 2014, Rhys has successfully driven value realization across a range of investments through disciplined capital allocation and strategic decision-making.
Before founding Milkwood, Rhys was Managing Director and Global Head of Emerging Market Equity Research at Citigroup, leading the firm’s top-ranked research franchise. A Chartered Accountant, he began his career with Ernst & Young.
Rhys serves on the boards of various listed and unlisted companies, primarily where Milkwood Capital has influence.
Appointed 30 May 2024
Rhys Summerton is the founder and investor at Milkwood Capital, a long-term, value oriented, global investment company, based in the UK.
Since establishing the fund in 2014, Rhys has successfully driven value realization across a range of investments through disciplined capital allocation and strategic decision-making.
Before founding Milkwood, Rhys was Managing Director and Global Head of Emerging Market Equity Research at Citigroup, leading the firm’s top-ranked research franchise. A Chartered Accountant, he began his career with Ernst & Young.
Rhys serves on the boards of various listed and unlisted companies, primarily where Milkwood Capital has influence.
Ashona Kooblall
Group Chief Financial Officer
A qualified CA (SA). Ashona has more than 16 years of senior finance experience with a demonstrated history of leadership positions within the Technology, FMCG and Retail industries.
Having started her career at PWC. Ashona’s expertise spans various fields including Corporate finance, Demand creation, Governance, P&L optimization, Mergers & Acquisitions, business restructuring, cost optimization strategies, business strategy, investor relations, managerial finance, controversy management and strategic planning. Ashona spent her career at leading JSE listed and multinational companies namely, Barloworld Group, Tiger Brands Group and Nike Inc. She held various senior corporate finance and strategy roles. Ashona has been with the IOCO group for 6 years with her primary focus on Value creation initiatives, Group strategy, Finance, Risk & Governance for the group.
Having started her career at PWC. Ashona’s expertise spans various fields including Corporate finance, Demand creation, Governance, P&L optimization, Mergers & Acquisitions, business restructuring, cost optimization strategies, business strategy, investor relations, managerial finance, controversy management and strategic planning. Ashona spent her career at leading JSE listed and multinational companies namely, Barloworld Group, Tiger Brands Group and Nike Inc. She held various senior corporate finance and strategy roles. Ashona has been with the IOCO group for 6 years with her primary focus on Value creation initiatives, Group strategy, Finance, Risk & Governance for the group.
Business Managing Directors
Lesego Molwantwa
Cloud South Africa
Lesego Molwantwa is a senior technology and business‑development executive with a strong track record across the cloud, network, telecommunications, and enterprise technology sectors. He currently serves as Commercial Director: Cloud & AI at iOCO, where he drives growth, innovation, and customer‑centric transformation across large‑scale digital portfolios.
Before joining iOCO, Lesego held several high‑impact leadership roles at Vodacom and Vodafone Global Enterprise, including Executive Head of Sales – Public Sector (SOEs) and Global Account Executive, leading multinational account teams and shaping technology‑driven strategies for major enterprise clients.
Known for his ability to build high‑performance teams and unlock new market opportunities, Lesego has extensive experience in start‑up acceleration, strategic growth mapping, and enterprise transformation. His leadership style is purpose‑driven, inclusive, and focused on delivering measurable value to customers and stakeholders
Before joining iOCO, Lesego held several high‑impact leadership roles at Vodacom and Vodafone Global Enterprise, including Executive Head of Sales – Public Sector (SOEs) and Global Account Executive, leading multinational account teams and shaping technology‑driven strategies for major enterprise clients.
Known for his ability to build high‑performance teams and unlock new market opportunities, Lesego has extensive experience in start‑up acceleration, strategic growth mapping, and enterprise transformation. His leadership style is purpose‑driven, inclusive, and focused on delivering measurable value to customers and stakeholders
Conrad Blignaut
Infrastructure Solutions, Managed Services & Networking
Conrad Blignaut is the Chief Executive of iOCO's Intelligent Technology Solutions, driving the Group’s Cloud, Infrastructure and Managed IT services. With over 24 years of experience, including senior roles at iOCO and Old Mutual, he has a strong track record of driving IT innovation and aligning technology with business strategy.
As Managing Director of iOCO Infrastructure Services since 2023, Conrad managed a R1.2bn business, optimising IT operations for a diverse range of clients. Prior to this, he served as CIO of the Group, where he was integral to the company’s turnaround, establishing IT governance and ensuring technology supported business objectives.
Conrad’s career spans consulting, operations, and leadership roles. At Old Mutual, he was General Manager: IT, overseeing all IT delivery for the South African business. He also directed Global Edge Technologies, managing Old Mutual UK’s award-winning investment platform, which ranked among the top five in the UK market by assets under management.
A recognised leader in digital transformation, Conrad champions large-scale IT initiatives, embedding cultural and operational shifts alongside technological change. He is passionate about developing future technology leaders and is committed to helping businesses harness technology for sustainable success.
As Managing Director of iOCO Infrastructure Services since 2023, Conrad managed a R1.2bn business, optimising IT operations for a diverse range of clients. Prior to this, he served as CIO of the Group, where he was integral to the company’s turnaround, establishing IT governance and ensuring technology supported business objectives.
Conrad’s career spans consulting, operations, and leadership roles. At Old Mutual, he was General Manager: IT, overseeing all IT delivery for the South African business. He also directed Global Edge Technologies, managing Old Mutual UK’s award-winning investment platform, which ranked among the top five in the UK market by assets under management.
A recognised leader in digital transformation, Conrad champions large-scale IT initiatives, embedding cultural and operational shifts alongside technological change. He is passionate about developing future technology leaders and is committed to helping businesses harness technology for sustainable success.
Servaas du Plessis
Forensics, Legal & HC Solutions
Servaas du Plessis is Managing Director: Forensics, Legal and Human Capital Solutions at the iOCO Technology Group, and the former CEO and co-founder of XTND, one of South Africa's leading fraud risk and forensic technology firms. He is one of South Africa's foremost authorities on fraud detection, forensic investigation, and enterprise risk management, with more than 40 years on the frontlines of the fight against white-collar and organised crime.
A pioneer in AI-driven fraud prevention, Servaas began his career in law enforcement, commanding an organised crime division within the South African Police Service, before entering financial services in 1995, where he established the Insurance Crime Bureau. As CEO and co-founder of XTND, he went on to enable an integrated suite of Forensic Technology Solutions, proprietary IP built in collaboration with global leaders including IBM, AWS, and BAE Applied Intelligence.
A past president of the ACFE South African Chapter and non-executive director of AFRICATA, Servaas has mentored generations of fraud examiners and helped shape the profession across Africa. His work has been recognised with the Worldwide Who's Who Executive of the Year in Insurance Crime & Fraud Prevention (2013) and the Africa CEO Today Award for Fraud Risk Prevention (2020). A trusted commentator on ENCA and across South African media, he remains one of the country's most respected and sought-after voices in the fight against fraud.
A pioneer in AI-driven fraud prevention, Servaas began his career in law enforcement, commanding an organised crime division within the South African Police Service, before entering financial services in 1995, where he established the Insurance Crime Bureau. As CEO and co-founder of XTND, he went on to enable an integrated suite of Forensic Technology Solutions, proprietary IP built in collaboration with global leaders including IBM, AWS, and BAE Applied Intelligence.
A past president of the ACFE South African Chapter and non-executive director of AFRICATA, Servaas has mentored generations of fraud examiners and helped shape the profession across Africa. His work has been recognised with the Worldwide Who's Who Executive of the Year in Insurance Crime & Fraud Prevention (2013) and the Africa CEO Today Award for Fraud Risk Prevention (2020). A trusted commentator on ENCA and across South African media, he remains one of the country's most respected and sought-after voices in the fight against fraud.
Hein Weyers
People Technologies
Hein Weyers is the Managing Director: People Solutions at iOCO, where he leads one of the organisation’s largest human‑capital and workforce‑enablement portfolios. His work spans learning and development, BPO operations, talent solutions, and large‑scale workforce transformation, positioning him as a key driver of iOCO’s people‑centric strategy across South Africa and international markets.
With more than a decade of senior leadership experience in the Adcorp Group, Hein has built deep expertise in skills development, organisational capability building, and operational excellence. His roles included Portfolio Managing Executive for Adcorp Training Solutions and Chief Operating Officer at the Production Management Institute of Southern Africa, where he oversaw national training operations, strategic partnerships, and workforce‑readiness initiatives. Earlier roles in corporate relations, marketing, and staffing solutions further strengthened his ability to integrate people, process, and performance.
Hein’s leadership style is grounded in unlocking human potential, building high‑performance teams, and delivering measurable impact through scalable, skills‑driven programmes. He holds a Management Advancement Programme qualification from WITS Business School, reinforcing his strategic approach to organisational development and transformation. has context menu
With more than a decade of senior leadership experience in the Adcorp Group, Hein has built deep expertise in skills development, organisational capability building, and operational excellence. His roles included Portfolio Managing Executive for Adcorp Training Solutions and Chief Operating Officer at the Production Management Institute of Southern Africa, where he oversaw national training operations, strategic partnerships, and workforce‑readiness initiatives. Earlier roles in corporate relations, marketing, and staffing solutions further strengthened his ability to integrate people, process, and performance.
Hein’s leadership style is grounded in unlocking human potential, building high‑performance teams, and delivering measurable impact through scalable, skills‑driven programmes. He holds a Management Advancement Programme qualification from WITS Business School, reinforcing his strategic approach to organisational development and transformation. has context menu
Emile Rossouw
Software Engineering
Emile Rossouw is a technology and business leader with extensive experience in software engineering, digital transformation, cloud solutions, and managed technology services. A proven solution-selling executive, he combines strong customer engagement and relationship management skills with a solid technical foundation and a passion for innovation and technology.
Throughout his career, he has worked with both South African and international organisations, successfully selling and overseeing the delivery of complex cloud and digital transformation initiatives that bring global capabilities to meet local business needs. His expertise spans software engineering, application modernisation, cloud-native transformation, managed application services, and large-scale digital initiatives.
Emile has been instrumental in driving sales growth and strategic business expansion through the definition and execution of high-impact sales and technology initiatives at organisations including Aricent, Avanade, and iOCO. He is recognised as creative and commercially with experience across the full software technology stack, including cloud, infrastructure, user productivity, mobility, and custom software development.
With a strong balance of technical insight, strategic thinking, and commercial acumen, Emile is passionate about helping organisations modernise their technology landscapes, accelerate delivery, and unlock innovation through modern engineering practices. He has built a reputation for driving engineering excellence, fostering collaborative client partnerships, and delivering outcome-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency and long-term business value.
Emile holds a BSc Honours degree in Computer Science & Informatics from the University of Johannesburg.
Throughout his career, he has worked with both South African and international organisations, successfully selling and overseeing the delivery of complex cloud and digital transformation initiatives that bring global capabilities to meet local business needs. His expertise spans software engineering, application modernisation, cloud-native transformation, managed application services, and large-scale digital initiatives.
Emile has been instrumental in driving sales growth and strategic business expansion through the definition and execution of high-impact sales and technology initiatives at organisations including Aricent, Avanade, and iOCO. He is recognised as creative and commercially with experience across the full software technology stack, including cloud, infrastructure, user productivity, mobility, and custom software development.
With a strong balance of technical insight, strategic thinking, and commercial acumen, Emile is passionate about helping organisations modernise their technology landscapes, accelerate delivery, and unlock innovation through modern engineering practices. He has built a reputation for driving engineering excellence, fostering collaborative client partnerships, and delivering outcome-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency and long-term business value.
Emile holds a BSc Honours degree in Computer Science & Informatics from the University of Johannesburg.
Hendrik Blignaut
Data, Automation & Security
Hendrik Blignaut is a highly experienced commercial and ICT executive with more than three decades of leadership across South Africa’s technology and digital‑services sector. As Managing Director of Data, Automation and Security at iOCO, he is responsible for driving business growth, shaping go-to-market strategy, and advancing the organisation’s leadership across data, AI, automation, and security.
Before joining iOCO, Hendrik spent over 20 years at Altron, where he built deep expertise in ICT infrastructure, digital transformation, and complex commercial deal‑making. He is known for his ability to simplify complexity, revive underperforming business units, and build long‑term strategic partnerships with major enterprise and public‑sector clients.
Aligned academically with the DaVinci Institute, Hendrik brings a disciplined, clarity‑driven leadership style and a strong commercial lens to every engagement. His influence within the ICT sector is reflected in his extensive professional network and long‑standing reputation for delivering measurable business value.
Before joining iOCO, Hendrik spent over 20 years at Altron, where he built deep expertise in ICT infrastructure, digital transformation, and complex commercial deal‑making. He is known for his ability to simplify complexity, revive underperforming business units, and build long‑term strategic partnerships with major enterprise and public‑sector clients.
Aligned academically with the DaVinci Institute, Hendrik brings a disciplined, clarity‑driven leadership style and a strong commercial lens to every engagement. His influence within the ICT sector is reflected in his extensive professional network and long‑standing reputation for delivering measurable business value.
Mark Bannerman
Enterprise Resource Planning
Mark Bannerman is a senior business and technology executive with more than two decades of leadership experience helping organisations align enterprise technology investments with strategic business outcomes. He currently serves as Managing Executive of iOCO Enterprise, where he leads the group's ERP cluster and is responsible for the performance, strategic direction and commercial growth of a portfolio spanning ERP, Enterprise Asset Management, Enterprise Performance Management, Supply Chain Execution and Warehouse Management solutions.
Leading a team of business unit executives supported by sales, pre-sales, demand generation and operational functions, Mark oversees a portfolio that includes Infor, SAP, Oracle, Syspro and Acumatica technologies, serving organisations across amongst others manufacturing, distribution, mining and professional services. His focus is on ensuring that enterprise technology decisions are directly connected to measurable business outcomes, helping leadership teams navigate critical decisions around platform selection, transformation programmes, operational performance and long-term business value. Prior to his current role, Mark served as Managing Director of Infor Services at iOCO, where he led the strategy, growth and delivery of a regional enterprise technology practice across Southern Africa. During this period, he worked closely with medium and large organisations to address the operational challenges that emerge as businesses scale and evolve. Throughout his career, he has consistently focused on translating technology investments into improved visibility, stronger operational control, better decision-making and sustainable growth.
Mark's career has spanned executive leadership roles across many of the world's leading enterprise software organisations. He has held country and regional leadership positions at Red Hat, MicroStrategy and SAP Business Objects, where he built deep expertise in enterprise applications, business intelligence, analytics and infrastructure technologies across Sub-Saharan Africa. These roles provided a strong foundation in market development, commercial leadership and regional business management, while broadening his understanding of the technology challenges facing organisations across diverse industries and geographies.
His earlier leadership roles further strengthened his expertise in consulting services, operational management and business performance improvement. As a strategic business consultant, he worked with South African software and technology companies to drive growth, improve profitability and align commercial strategy with business objectives, experience that continues to influence his executive leadership approach today.
Mark is recognised for combining commercial acumen, operational leadership and deep enterprise technology expertise. He brings a pragmatic, executive-level perspective to digital transformation, helping organisations make informed technology decisions that support growth, performance and long-term business success.
Leading a team of business unit executives supported by sales, pre-sales, demand generation and operational functions, Mark oversees a portfolio that includes Infor, SAP, Oracle, Syspro and Acumatica technologies, serving organisations across amongst others manufacturing, distribution, mining and professional services. His focus is on ensuring that enterprise technology decisions are directly connected to measurable business outcomes, helping leadership teams navigate critical decisions around platform selection, transformation programmes, operational performance and long-term business value. Prior to his current role, Mark served as Managing Director of Infor Services at iOCO, where he led the strategy, growth and delivery of a regional enterprise technology practice across Southern Africa. During this period, he worked closely with medium and large organisations to address the operational challenges that emerge as businesses scale and evolve. Throughout his career, he has consistently focused on translating technology investments into improved visibility, stronger operational control, better decision-making and sustainable growth.
Mark's career has spanned executive leadership roles across many of the world's leading enterprise software organisations. He has held country and regional leadership positions at Red Hat, MicroStrategy and SAP Business Objects, where he built deep expertise in enterprise applications, business intelligence, analytics and infrastructure technologies across Sub-Saharan Africa. These roles provided a strong foundation in market development, commercial leadership and regional business management, while broadening his understanding of the technology challenges facing organisations across diverse industries and geographies.
His earlier leadership roles further strengthened his expertise in consulting services, operational management and business performance improvement. As a strategic business consultant, he worked with South African software and technology companies to drive growth, improve profitability and align commercial strategy with business objectives, experience that continues to influence his executive leadership approach today.
Mark is recognised for combining commercial acumen, operational leadership and deep enterprise technology expertise. He brings a pragmatic, executive-level perspective to digital transformation, helping organisations make informed technology decisions that support growth, performance and long-term business success.
Carolann Searra
Software
Carol Ann Searra is a technology executive with 30 years of commercial and general management experience across the enterprise software industry, including senior roles at Oracle, Computer Associates, CA Technologies, Broadcom and iOCO. Across several major shifts in ownership and operating model, she has consistently been the executive trusted to renegotiate the organisation's position while protecting customers and employees through each transition.
For the past seven years, Carol Ann has led CA Southern Africa (CASA) as Managing Director, steering the business through Broadcom's global acquisition of CA and the subsequent move to a partner-led model in South Africa. Under her leadership, CASA has met its revenue targets for 15 consecutive years, delivering year-on-year growth within a mature product portfolio, while maintaining strong cash flow and low debtor days. Earlier in her career, she built Computer Associates Africa's first channel partner ecosystem with organisations including Dimension Data, BCX and Gijima, established Oracle's applications partner ecosystem with Big Five consulting firms such as KPMG and Arthur Andersen, and personally led Oracle's largest financial applications deal at the time for Tiger Brands, earning the company's global award for the largest such deal closed with a Big Five consulting house.
As a Director, Carol Ann holds full fiduciary responsibility for tenders, bids, agreements, risk and compliance, and is known for building high-performing teams that deliver results. She is active in iOCO's Women's Forum, has been selected for the Women in Business and Women in Leadership programmes at GIBS, and speaks regularly at Women in IT and Women in Business events.
For the past seven years, Carol Ann has led CA Southern Africa (CASA) as Managing Director, steering the business through Broadcom's global acquisition of CA and the subsequent move to a partner-led model in South Africa. Under her leadership, CASA has met its revenue targets for 15 consecutive years, delivering year-on-year growth within a mature product portfolio, while maintaining strong cash flow and low debtor days. Earlier in her career, she built Computer Associates Africa's first channel partner ecosystem with organisations including Dimension Data, BCX and Gijima, established Oracle's applications partner ecosystem with Big Five consulting firms such as KPMG and Arthur Andersen, and personally led Oracle's largest financial applications deal at the time for Tiger Brands, earning the company's global award for the largest such deal closed with a Big Five consulting house.
As a Director, Carol Ann holds full fiduciary responsibility for tenders, bids, agreements, risk and compliance, and is known for building high-performing teams that deliver results. She is active in iOCO's Women's Forum, has been selected for the Women in Business and Women in Leadership programmes at GIBS, and speaks regularly at Women in IT and Women in Business events.
Dion Govender
Connected Industrial Ecosystems
Dion is the Chief Executive of iOCO’s Connected Industrial Ecosystems (CIE) division, bringing over 30 years of experience in the corporate technology sector. His extensive career spans senior leadership roles, including a long tenure at Siemens, where he served as Group CEO of Siemens Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa and held a senior executive position in Siemens Germany. With a proven track record of strategic leadership.
Dion’s professional journey includes focused information technology leadership roles as well as running his own entrepreneurial ventures in sustainable energy technologies, renewable energy, and alternative fuels before joining iOCO in 2018 to take on a leadership role in its industrial technology businesses.
An MBA graduate of Henley Business School UK (2006), Dion is a member of the Institute of Directors of South Africa and a well-rounded business executive known for his expertise in technology, culture change, and value creation.
Dion’s professional journey includes focused information technology leadership roles as well as running his own entrepreneurial ventures in sustainable energy technologies, renewable energy, and alternative fuels before joining iOCO in 2018 to take on a leadership role in its industrial technology businesses.
An MBA graduate of Henley Business School UK (2006), Dion is a member of the Institute of Directors of South Africa and a well-rounded business executive known for his expertise in technology, culture change, and value creation.
Essam Elbadri
International
CEO, ASSET Technology Group
Essam El Badri is the founder and CEO of ASSET Technology Group, an iOCO company and a leading software vendor in the Middle East. Since founding ASSET in 1991, he has built it into a top provider of proprietary software (IP) and professional services, delivering solutions in content management, telecom, and smart agriculture.
Under his leadership, ASSET pioneered the world’s first Arabic Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system in 1993, enabling the digital conversion of Arabic text from images. Today, the company provides multiple successful IP’s in addition to partnering with global technology leaders such as OpenText, Oracle, and Microsoft to provide enterprise solutions tailored to industry needs. Earlier in his career, Essam held leadership roles at Gulf Data International in Abu Dhabi, where he led financial system sales and automation projects. He began as a systems engineer at Data General Computers, focusing on banking solutions and operating systems.
Essam holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Ain Shams University, Cairo (1981).
Essam El Badri is the founder and CEO of ASSET Technology Group, an iOCO company and a leading software vendor in the Middle East. Since founding ASSET in 1991, he has built it into a top provider of proprietary software (IP) and professional services, delivering solutions in content management, telecom, and smart agriculture.
Under his leadership, ASSET pioneered the world’s first Arabic Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system in 1993, enabling the digital conversion of Arabic text from images. Today, the company provides multiple successful IP’s in addition to partnering with global technology leaders such as OpenText, Oracle, and Microsoft to provide enterprise solutions tailored to industry needs. Earlier in his career, Essam held leadership roles at Gulf Data International in Abu Dhabi, where he led financial system sales and automation projects. He began as a systems engineer at Data General Computers, focusing on banking solutions and operating systems.
Essam holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Ain Shams University, Cairo (1981).
Richard Vester
Middle East Cloud
Richard Vester is the Chief Executive and director of iOCO United Kingdom. He also leads iOCO’s hyperscale practice across the EMEA region. A sales-driven senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in the technology industry, he has played a key role in launching and shaping major initiatives for leading technology service providers in South Africa and beyond.
Richard has a deep understanding of markets, products, infrastructure, and support services, enabling the delivery of best-in-class cloud solutions. Since joining iOCO in 2012, he has spearheaded the Cloud Business, driving its international expansion and securing key partnerships.
Earlier in his career, he held an executive role at Vodacom Business, where he built the Cloud, Data Centre, Security, and Application divisions.
Richard has a deep understanding of markets, products, infrastructure, and support services, enabling the delivery of best-in-class cloud solutions. Since joining iOCO in 2012, he has spearheaded the Cloud Business, driving its international expansion and securing key partnerships.
Earlier in his career, he held an executive role at Vodacom Business, where he built the Cloud, Data Centre, Security, and Application divisions.
