The restructuring will allow for synergies, efficiencies, and the establishment of local group shared services.
Following the announcement on 1 July of the Dimension Data and NTT restructuring, Dimension Data has appointed a new executive team, with some familiar faces and some new talent.
The restructuring saw Dimension Data’s parent group NTT Group forming the global group NTT Ltd, with Dimension Data and its subsidiaries representing the global brand in the Middle East and Africa.
Grant Bodley, Dimension Data MEA Chief Executive Officer states, “The recent NTT Ltd announcement presented an opportune time to introspect and ensure we are set up to best respond to the demands of the market and our clients. We are incredibly excited at the opportunity that lies ahead of us.”
Barry Curtin, Dimension Data CFO, explained to CFO.co.za that the changes to the executive team both support the global strategy and unify the African and Middle East operations under one executive team.
Within the Middle East and African region, Dimension Data held the subsidiaries Britehouse and Merchants. Internet Solutions (IS) was held by the global Dimension Data brand, but didn’t fall under the local management team. The new structure brings Internet Solutions into the local fold.
“There are a lot of synergies between businesses that we weren’t leveraging. For instance, two of our companies might spend a certain amount of money with Telkom every year, but we’re not gaining the advantage of being seen as a single organisation. Or we might have two different sales departments servicing the same client. So with one executive team, we will be able to maximise synergies and realised benefits in terms of procurement, among other things.”
He says the new structure will also bring greater clarity to the various executives’ roles, making it easier for them to deliver on their mandates.
Dimension Data added in a statement that the restructuring and appointment of the executive team underscores their commitment to their transformation journey:
“NTT Holdings are evaluating opportunities to make a significant equity transaction to bolster the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment for Dimension Data in South Africa. This will position us well for the future, as we grow our local relevance, while also retaining our strong links with NTT, enabling us to continue to deliver world-class services, technology and expertise to our clients.”
“Historically, we’ve always had the Dimension Data group for a lot of our services. With the B-BBEE transaction, we are going to have a bit more flexibility and autonomy to invest in certain things, such as corporate finance, rather than relying on the group’s corporate finance.”
The local team will also establish a dedicated mergers and acquisitions office.
Barry says that his appointment will allow him to focus more strategically on the business. “Now having IS in our stable is very exciting. The changes are going to give us a lot more flexibility and autonomy in terms of the direction we’re going to take. So that’s really exciting.”
The following appointments have been made:
- Chief Executive Officer – Grant Bodley
- Chief Strategy and Go to Market Executive – Saki Missaikos
- Chief Financial Officer – Barry Curtin
- Business Development Executive – Steven Nathan
- Chief People and Culture Executive – Michaela Voller
- Corporate Services Director – Zellah Fuphe
- Chief Marketing Executive – Albi van Zyl
- Dimension Data System Integration Managing Executive – Werner Kapp
- Britehouse Managing Executive – Ed Gassner
- Security Managing Executive – Tony Walt
- Internet Solutions Managing Executive – Dr Setumo Mohapi
- Merchants Managing Executive – George Todd
Jeremy Ord, the founder of Dimension Data, previously the executive chairman of the global company, has through the restructure affirmed his commitment to South Africa, so will now be taking on the role of executive chairman of the local Dimension Data.
Dimension Data Systems Integration will also be appointing a new CFO to head up finance in that business, freeing up Barry’s focus on the broader local business.
