Being part of the SEM operations team we provided guidance and support to all the SEM countries where Sanlam has a presence, this included 10 African countries, Malaysia and India. We supported more than 30 businesses in total. I am responsible for the IT side of the businesses whereas the rest of the team focused more on the administration systems.My key deliverables and duties included the following:- Rolling out of IT Governance in the various businesses- Ascertaining the level of IT governance required for every business- Providing Technical 1st Line Support- Providing feedback to the SEM board on key risks- Ongoing monitoring of governance implementation, support and ensuring risks are addressed- Engagement with internal audit in order to manage expectations in the Group- Performing Due Diligence investigations for potential new acquisitions- Building and managing relationships with key stakeholders- Manage synergies between SEM Businesses on a regional basis- Engage different Vendors to identify opportunities to drive economies of scaleOverheads need to be kept to a minimum and it was therefore critical that I understood the business issues and could translate them into technical solutions that can be interpreted by other Sanlam departments in order for them to assist with the delivery of the solutions. Having worked in Uganda for 3 years, I have a very good understanding of the unique challenges that the African countries face on a day to day basis. This credibility helped me immensely in building trust with the businesses. In order for me to be effective in my job, I had to familiarize myself with Cobit 5, ITIL and ISO 27001/2 frameworks. I did complete my Cobit 5 Fundamentals and Cobit 5 Implementation exams. I have given training to the SEM businesses on the alignment of IT with business goals as well as assisted them with the implementation of their IT Governance plans.

I was appointed as the IT Manager for Sanlam in Uganda in 2010, just as the company started. Being a start-up company, my initial key deliverables and duties included the following:Establishing a network infrastructure for Uganda, Establishing IT policies and procedures, Facilitating ORFEO implementation, Procurement of equipment and lease agreements, Assisting with new products and development.Due to the lack of resources in a start-up business, I took on the marketing responsibilities as well. This included some brand building initiatives, marketing material, policy documents, application forms, client communication, gift items, events and liaison with Sanlam Group MarketingWe also moved into a new head office and opened a separate distribution office. To this effect I had to ensure:Telephony infrastructure, Network infrastructure supporting both offices, Power back-up solutions, Disaster and recovery plans, Recruitment of admin staff in line with business growth, Budgeting and expense management for my departments, A proper asset register, Due diligence checks from potential clients, Effective premium collection methods, A claims process is in place, A commission payment process, Debit order arrangements with different banks, Network security, Fraud detection on new business, Identification and management of possible risks in the business pertaining to IT and Processes, Re-insurance treaties in Admin system, Management of all outsourced arrangements and providers.At this point I also took on full responsibility for the policy administration team. This included their recruitment, training on ORFEO and management. I also appointed a Systems Administrator whom I have mentored to the point that he is in a position to take over my IT responsibilities when I leave.

I was a shareholder in e2e Outsourcing and was one of the founding members. We developed specialized projects for various companies, but focused more on administration and financial applications.I was a senior Java developer and a team leader. My responsibilities ranged from setting standards, code reviews as well as doing research and development.We did development for a mobile banking solutions company (Fundamo). They supply a mobile Banking package to MTN and Cellpay. We were part of their initial development team, but then became their preferred support company. I was in charge of a couple of countries, incl. Benin, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Congo, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. I supported them with technical support should the systems go down or if they needed enhancements on their systems.We also did a development project for a fleet service company - eFleet. We developed their whole system from the ground up. I was responsible for the look and feel as well as the actual tracking/monitoring of the assets. I did most of the development in the Flex application framework.When I moved to Uganda in 2010, I still worked for e2e remotely and continued with my duties. MTN in Uganda requested me to assist them on site for purposes of system implementation. I resigned from e2e when Sanlam made me an offer to work for them as an IT Manager and to set up the infrastructure for the new company.

I was a member of a Java Development team. We were redeveloping a loyalty system (Infinity). This was a system that has POS devices at a merchant whereas the member of the system can swipe their membership card (Magnetic Strip/Smart Card). We captured this transaction and processed the relevant details. I was part of the team that developed this functionality.I was also chosen by my peers to be a team leader responsible to mentor the team members and give them the necessary skills training.I developed numerous applications with respect to this system in order to automate arduous tasks like month-end reporting, importing of data, exporting of data and general reporting.I also worked on a Trust Administration System for Fidentia during this time.Fidentia closed down in 2008 and I took up the opportunity to start the e2e Outsourcing initiative.

I was a member of a Java Development team. We created systems for corporate financial institutions. We worked mostly according to the J2EE Standards and Architecture. I was contracted out to numerous clients where I had to adapt to their architecture and culture. So I received exposure to a wide variety of different technologies and methodologies.When Software Futures stopped their Java development in Cape Town, I resigned and moved to Fidentia Transact.

I started my career at Infomet, working on the AVIS project using the AS400 technology.I then moved to the Delphi development team, developing a medical aid system for the Professional Provident Society Insurance Group (PPS).Infomet was taken over by Software Futures in 1998