Tech Start-ups: LegalTech, EdTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, and FinTech
Desan Pillay
Director
South Africa (Open To Relocate)
Summary
Digital & Platforms Executive | Platform Enablement | Data & API Strategy
Dynamic Digital Platforms and Transformation Executive with over 21 years of experience leading digital initiatives across diverse sectors, including banking, insurance, telecommunications, retail, FMCG, oil and gas, and the public sector. Proven expertise in developing robust, secure, and scalable digital platforms that drive business growth and facilitate ecosystem commercialization. Strong background in Business Banking, Digital Insurance, API enablement, eCommerce, customer experience (CX), and go-to-market (GTM) strategies positions as a catalyst for innovation and operational excellence. Committed to leveraging technology to enhance customer engagement and deliver measurable results while adapting to the evolving demands of multiple industries.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Digital, Technology and Data Director
Power Patch Partners & Advisory (PPP&A)
05.2018 - Current
- Advisory focused (whilst managing an outsourced end-to-end implementation partner) for Digital Strategy and Technology, Customer Experience, Platform Businesses and Digital Shared Services
- Designed API & Platform strategy for Nedbank’s AVO marketplace.
- Built 550-person Nedbank direct and digital insurance team, delivering 120% growth.
- R500m revenue uplift through Business Banking transformation.
- Led digital GTM integration of digital and eCommerce for KFC Africa (web, app, kiosks, IoT) driving scalability and utilisation
- Programme Head for Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation implementing the digital shared-services platform
- Chief Growth Officer scaling Omnisient’s data privacy platform globally focusing on cross-sector data collaboration and monetization
- Partner at Boundless World single-handedly transforming a global FMCG in the Mozambique market from losses into a 3x growth business in less than a year.
- Chief Digital Officer role for Wits Business School managing and digitising the operations and people’ engagement issues within the school and ICT department. Built the first to market Gen AI Chatbot for the executive education clients.
- Product Owner of Absa Chat Wallet (new digital product development launch and GTM lead)
- Chief CX, Data and Digital Technology Officer for The Space Between Us (Healthcare: start-up), having built the 1st African digital mental health platform across B2B and B2C - piloted with a larger Telco operator in October 2020 and platform went live in July 2021 with three large corporates onboarded
- Oil & Gas: (1) Digital Transformation Lead to Ghana Gas focusing on production lines (upstream and downstream) and building a B2C model. (2) Abu Dhabi National Oil & Gas Corporation (ADNOC): Lead Programme Head for Abu Dhabi’s largest Oil and Gas company building a shared services business across five separate entities and focus on digital transformation.
- FMCG: Growth and Transformation strategist to large FMCG companies focusing on digital growth and new revenue streams (1) RCL Foods (2) Anchor Yeast Mozambique (3) CA&S Group
- Financial Services: (1) Advisor to Nedbank CDO on API and AVO platform strategy (first banking marketplace in South Africa). (2) Launched Absa Chat Wallet: Product Owner to build and go-to-market lead (3) Strategic Advisor to the Board and C-Level of Bank of Rwanda: Focus on Digital Banks Attacker model and Agile cultural transformation
- Quick Service Restaurants (QSR): Yum! (KFC Africa), Africa Digital Lead: Web, App and Chat GTM across East-Africa, using IoT devices to manage the ETE last mile delivery to the end customer, and installing Kiosks
- EdTech: (1) Built and led the GTM the first to market Gen AI Chatbot for a Business School in South Africa (2) Facilitator at Business Schools solving corporates problems using Design Thinking and building the Prototype for MVP.
- FinTech and HealthTech Start-up: (1) Omnisient Data Privacy Platform: Data collaboration and monetisation across various industries using a plethora of Data Monetisation Use Cases. Chief Growth Officer, opening new markets, such as, Nigeria, Middle East, UK. (2) Mental Health Platform (CDO of Startup): Founded multiple Digital Health platforms including Africa’s first digital mental health solution
- ESG: Board Member (B-Lab Africa): Focus on ESG BCorp certification and Africa growth
- ICT: Accenture Africa – Associate Director, Applied Intelligence: Led Data Monetisation deals between Telco, Retail and Bank across Africa on GTM cross-industry customer insights platform
Divisional Executive: Strategy and Client Engagement
Nedbank Business Banking
10.2015 - 03.2018
- Supported divisional level strategy development focused on client engagement, transformation and turnaround techniques to drive revenue and reduce costs.
- Led alignment of the Strategic Management Office (SMO) with the Programme Management Office, thereby ensuring a full focus on strategy execution.
- Developed and secured full integration of the Transactional Banking enterprise solution.
- Revised segmentation, data analytics and customer value propositions to identify new value delivery systems.
- Provided key strategic support on the new Client Engagement Model and acted as a trusted advisor to the ME of Business Banking.
- Successfully transformed and led turn-around of the Business Banking Frontline and Operations Teams, facilitating a renewed focus on revenue growth and operational efficiencies, and achieving in excess of R500Mil GAP over two years.
- Implemented a digital platform and functionality for Business and Commercial Banking Clients in country in alignment with platform enablers; Innovation, overall segment value proposition and life journeys. To the vision and implementation of interventions to ensure that digital platforms are always on, always secure and consistently deliver an exceptional client experience.
Executive Head: Direct and Digital Technology
Nedbank Wealth Management and Insurance
09.2013 - 10.2015
- Focused on the creation of Direct Strategy and enhanced Sales Execution across insurance products within the Life, Short-Term and Accident & Health Divisions.
- Successfully led the development and launch of a Mobile and Digital Strategy, Insurance Website, App and Aggregator Platforms.
- Recruited and managed a team of 127 Members internally, taking accountability for a book value of R104Mil.
- Further directed 11 Outsourced Partners and 4 Underwriters regarding new product development, sales and operational activities.
- Supported business innovation and new structure development, streamlining efforts for lean and cost-effective team operation.
- Created a Core Executive Work Team, appointed to execute the commercial insurance offering between Nedbank and Mutual & Federal for a large SME and Commercial client base.
- Built and maintained key relationships with Bancassurance stakeholders, supporting enhanced collaboration across the group.
- Effectively managed budgets and targets, facilitating business growth exceeding 120% of target.
Head of Consulting: Financial Services (Africa)
Peppers and Rogers Group
01.2013 - 09.2013
- Led several Business Development Deals to the maximum value of $850,000 over a period of 4 months; supporting a customer-centric process from strategy development to execution.
- Programme managed all transformation initiatives across the EMEA Region, fulfilling set requirements on behalf of the Company after it was bought-out by an American-based BPO organisation.
- Acted as a subject-matter expert / advisor for all matters relating to Insurance, Banking and Bancassurance in Africa, the Middle East and Turkey.
- Facilitated Intellectual Property Development for Bancassurance and Business Development within and outside of the African market, further acting as a key company representative in the EMEA Region for Bancassurance.
- Directed several Financial Services Projects in South Africa, Qatar, Ghana, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, including; Segmentation, CVP Development, Sales and Service Model Development, Branch Optimisation and Transforming of Customer Business Models.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Strategy and Programme Lead
Barclays Africa Group
03.2010 - 01.2013
- Seconded to the McKinsey Johannesburg Team to be trained to Programme lead the Project Team through successful implementation of key business re-structuring projects.
- Led the Target Operating Model (TOM) for the Corporate and Business Banking Division, mandated to revise the operating and business models for each business unit, and align the same across the enterprise and Barclays London. – huge focus on Group Shared Services and People/HR Operations.
- Developed 5 new Transactional Banking capabilities, securing a contribution of R47Mil from the existing business banking client base.
- Defined and implemented 3 pillars to build a new Agricultural Banking model, contributing to a R300Mil bottom-line over 2 years.
- Member of a SWOT Team appointed to analyse and perform due diligence on a deal to purchase Bank of Windhoek, Namibia.
- Worked with Barclays Bank of Mozambique to re-structure and re-engineer the Corporate Business cluster, creating efficiencies and revenue uplifts, and terminating redundant roles.
- Led the Barclays Africa Innovation Programme, aimed at building new business within the Barclays In-Country Division.
- Programme managed a large project to bridge the gap between Business Banking and Insurance / Fiduciary Services (Bancassurance Model). Taking full ownership of multiple work streams and sub-projects to cross-sell products | Leading systems integration, automation and new process embedding | Achieving R6.2Mil growth over 3 months.
- Acted as the Business Bank Strategy Lead on the Sales, Process and Operating Model (SPOM) Project during the conceptualisation stage. This project led to a 17% combined reduction in operations and frontline staff, 23% sustainable cost reductions and creation of a new business model.
- The following areas within the ACBB Division were re-structured:
- O Africa Business: Created a new Africa Strategy for approval by Barclays London.
- O Operations (COO Space): Re-engineered the top structure and created a new model for the operations department, and a key cost efficiency strategy.
- Public Sector: Developed a Centre of Excellence and re-engineered the Tender Management process.
- Risk & Governance: Defined a new Risk Management operating model to feed into Absa Group.
- Credit: Streamlined credit department duties and re-allocated certain resources into a developed operational area.
- SME: Articulated a clear strategy for the Small Business division (including a new Enterprise Development strategy) post re-allocation from the Retail cluster to Business Banking.
- Delivered impactful presentations to key stakeholders, securing buy-in for critical strategic decisions.
- Collaborated with executive leadership teams to define long-term organizational goals and develop strategic roadmaps to achieve them.
- Leveraged advanced analytics tools to uncover valuable insights from large datasets, guiding strategic recommendations.
- Managed multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously while maintaining strict timelines and budget constraints.
Head Product: Current Accounts
Nedbank Retail
01.2008 - 03.2010
- Defined strategy and techniques for the running of product rationalisation exercises to disintegrate non-profitable and non-customer centric products
- Launched the first fully electronic Retail Current Bank account, Flagship, Nedbank Savvy Electronic Current Account, the first to market electronic banking products (built a base of 200,000 clients within a period of 13 months).
- Launched the eStatements & eNote value-added product
Earlier Roles
Accenture, Standard Bank Group
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Accenture: Management Consultant – Lean Engineering and claims transformation across Spain, Portugal and East Africa
- Standard Bank: Product & Project Manager – embedded insurance in mass market products
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive business plans and strategies.
Education
Matric - Grade 12 -
Isipingo Secondary School
04.2001 -
Honours - Bachelor in Business Science
University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
04.2001 -
Leadership Development Programme - undefined
GIBS
01.2008
CFA Charterholder [Chartered Financial Analyst] -
CFA Institute
US01.2008
MBA - Strategy And Transformation
Gordon Institute of Business Science
Johannesburg, South Africa 04.2001 -
Transformation Expert - undefined
LEAD Consortium
01.2015
Advanced Design Thinking - undefined
IDEO U | in partnership with Stanford University
US01.2017
Data-Driven Consulting -
Northwestern University | Kellogg School of Management
US01.2019
Post-Degree Certificate - Building Adaptability and Embracing Creativity
Stanford University
US01-2025
Skills
Digital Platform Enablement & Governance
Additional Information
- Entrepreneur: Founder of the Customer Journey Management platform across Retail, Health, Financial Services and Telecommunications in South Africa, East Africa and Australia. (inQuba)
- Board Member: B Lab Africa: ESG
- Wits Business School: New role as Digital Director (contract) to setup and automate the operations. Built the first Generative AI Chatbot for a Business School in Africa. Led the EdTech partner platform.
- Omnisient (Start-up): CGO on Data Privacy platform. (Data Monetisation, Architecture and Use Cases)
- Yum! (KFC Africa): CDO to implement kiosks and eCommerce last mile delivery in Uganda and Kenya
- Accenture: First to market and custodian to build a cross-industry customer insights platform that leverages 3rd party and external data to create new revenue driver for corporates | Data-driven consulting lead.
- Accenture has partnered with Vodacom Business to broaden the telco’s digital transformation smart service offering through cloud, security and analytics capabilities.
- Six Sigma Certified - Black Belt | Lean Engineering and Business Process Optimisation.
- Strategic Growth Advisor: Global Customised Software Development Technology companies (between 2-3 startups)
- Business School Lecturer: GIBS, MBA: Adjunct Faculty focusing on Digital Transformation for MBA
- Business School Lecturer: Academic Lead for Online MBA, Big Data and Strategy4IR, Competitive Strategy in Digital Marketplaces
- Facilitator: many African business schools in Digital, Design Thinking, Innovation and Agility, Big Data, and Customer Centricity
Interests
Data Monetisation
Problem-Solving using Design Thinking
REFERENCES
Presented upon request
AVAILABILITY
2 weeks - negotiable
Timeline
Digital, Technology and Data Director
Power Patch Partners & Advisory (PPP&A)
05.2018 - Current
Divisional Executive: Strategy and Client Engagement
Nedbank Business Banking
10.2015 - 03.2018
Executive Head: Direct and Digital Technology
Nedbank Wealth Management and Insurance
09.2013 - 10.2015
Head of Consulting: Financial Services (Africa)
Peppers and Rogers Group
01.2013 - 09.2013
Strategy and Programme Lead
Barclays Africa Group
03.2010 - 01.2013
Head Product: Current Accounts
Nedbank Retail
01.2008 - 03.2010
Earlier Roles
Accenture, Standard Bank Group
01.2006 - 01.2008
Matric - Grade 12 -
Isipingo Secondary School
04.2001 -
Honours - Bachelor in Business Science
University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
04.2001 -
MBA - Strategy And Transformation
Gordon Institute of Business Science
04.2001 -
Leadership Development Programme - undefined
GIBS
Transformation Expert - undefined
LEAD Consortium
Advanced Design Thinking - undefined
IDEO U | in partnership with Stanford University
CFA Charterholder [Chartered Financial Analyst] -
CFA Institute
Data-Driven Consulting -
Northwestern University | Kellogg School of Management
Post-Degree Certificate - Building Adaptability and Embracing Creativity
Stanford University