CFO Day, CHRO Day and CIO Day bring together leading South African executives to tackle the most pressing issues in their respective spaces – and to learn where synergy exists between the three types of leadership.
Once a year, leading South African executives gather for full days of engagement, learning and insights at CFO Day, CHRO Day and CIO Day powered by Executive Communities. This year, these world-class events took place at the exclusive Mariott Hotel at Melrose Arch, treating executives to plush networking spaces and fine food from the hotel kitchens.
These gatherings explored the evolving roles of executives in navigating an era defined by business transformation, digital innovation, and the dynamic landscape of talent. A recurring theme across all three events was the crucial importance of cross-functional collaboration, particularly highlighting CIOs, CFOs, and CHROs as “the power trio” essential for business transformation.
CIO Day: Looking beyond tech
Held on 27 May, CIO Day reframed the CIO’s mandate “Beyond the Tech”, emphasising their role as enablers of business objectives, culture, and innovation. The event focused on the shift from technology management to enterprise leadership.
The event examined the strategic role of CIOs, predicting the next big shift in IT, and cross-functional synergy between different executive roles.
Top featured CIOs included Ankit Shah, director of IT at Virgin Active, Christiaan du Preez, CDIO at RMB, Debbie Vermaak, group CIO at De Beers Group, Devan Reddy, VP: IT at Toyota, Dr Makaziwe Makamba, director: digital transformation at School of National Government, Dr Stanley Mpofu, CIO at,Wits University, Gavin Moss, CIO at RMB, Nomonde White-Ndlovu, CIO at Bidvest Bank, Pandelani Munyai, group CIO at Transnet, Ravi Bhat, CTO at Microsoft, and Sne Dlamini, group vice president: technology and digital at AECI.
CHRO Day: Rewriting the HR playbook
On 28 May, CHRO Day focused on writing a new HR playbook in an era shaped by workplace change, digital transformation, and the “war for talent”. The discussions underscored that the future of HR needs to be built on collaboration, courage and adaptation.
Some of the key topics included elevating HR’s strategic importance, purpose-driven talent retention and long-term talent growth, diversity in leadership and AI-powered leadership.
S'ne Magagula, CPO at Tiger Brands, Bess Skosana, group HRD: regional talent leader at MTN, Dr Simi Ramgoolam, executive head of people & organisation at Kumba Iron Ore, Gcobisa Ntshona, group CPO at African Bank, Lindiwe Miyambu, CPO at Auditor General SA, Navasha Chetty, HR executive at the JSE, and Selo Govender, Executive head: talent, learning and leadership development at Discovery, shared their valuable insights on the day.
CFO Day: Transforming finance and embracing change
Held on 29 May, CFO Day brought together financial leaders to discuss their evolving role in business transformation, AI integration, and strategic leadership. Key discussions revolved around how finance leaders are driving value through communication, innovation, and reinvention.
The CFOs at the event tackled adding value with AI, effective executive communication, building strong teams and the economic outlook for South Africa.
The audience heard from leading CFOs including Risto Ketola, CFO at Momentum Group, Nelisiwe Shiluvana, CFO at Famous Brands, Aneshree Naidoo, CFO at Webber Wentzel, Bothwell Mazarura, CFO at Kumba Iron Ore, Sandi de Souza, CFO: Africa at SAP, and Michelle Pienaar, CFO at Marsh.