2024 CIO Awards cybersecurity category winner and Clicks’ group head of IT Ridwan Khan is an inspiring case study of how CIOs navigate modern IT challenges while staying grounded in their personal lives and values.
Ridwan’s journey into IT is both inspiring and insightful – a narrative driven by adaptability, strategic foresight, and a deep commitment to family values.
Like many other successful CIOs, Ridwan didn’t begin his career in IT. His professional journey started in the classroom, teaching mathematics and computer science. However, teaching, though fulfilling, was only a brief stop in his career arc, and when an opportunity in IT opened up, Ridwan embraced it wholeheartedly.
“I think teaching sets the foundation for analytical thinking,” he shares. “Teaching maths and computer science gave me a solid base to push forward into IT at the systems level.”
Ridwan started out as a systems analyst for PostBank within a consultancy environment. That role enabled him to gain hands-on experience in bank technology systems. Shortly after, he joined UBank (then Teba Bank), where he climbed the ranks rapidly to become a systems manager.
“Back in those days, IT degrees weren’t as popular, and you often transitioned into IT from other disciplines,” he reflects.
Ridwan’s sense of drive – shaped significantly by his modest upbringing in Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal – has been a defining constant in his career. “My dad was a bus driver, and my mom was a part-time teacher. We came from a background that wasn’t affluent, so there was always this hunger to do better, push harder and create bigger opportunities,” he says.
Black Friday and the retail heartbeat
Having worked in multiple IT roles across systems, project management and consultancy, Ridwan was headhunted by an asset management company and eventually made the move to Cape Town. That decision, he added, was a mix of professional ambition and lifestyle considerations. “Cape Town felt like a better environment for raising a family, and while the culture and work pace took some adjustment, it made sense in the long term.”
Today, as the group head of IT at Clicks – a position he has held for six years – Ridwan plays a crucial role in defining the company’s IT vision, strategy and operational excellence.
The highlight of Ridwan’s leadership was recognised at the CIO Awards, where he won an accolade for his outstanding contributions to cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is often seen as a thankless, behind-the-scenes job, but it is at the heart of protecting customer trust and organisational reputation. Ridwan’s approach to cybersecurity is one of preparation, partnerships and continuous improvement.
Ridwan’s award-winning expertise in cybersecurity proved invaluable during last year’s Black Friday cyber frenzy, with consumers ready to fill their shopping carts and cybercriminals eagerly preparing for an attack.
Retail is a fast-paced industry, and annual peak sales periods like Black Friday amplify the intensity. For IT departments, particularly at retail giants like Clicks, Black Friday is like preparing for a large-scale systems simulation. “You’re always going to feel some anxiety, but preparation is important for keeping stress levels in check,” he says.
A grounding force
Preparation, for Ridwan, involves months of groundwork with every piece of IT architecture planned to handle high volumes and stay error-free. “It’s a game of micro-details. Everything from backups for system failures to website load management, streamlined in-store operations and identifying risk bottlenecks well in advance goes into Black Friday planning.”
Though Ridwan’s achievements as a CIO are remarkable, he maintains a strong emphasis on his personal life. With four kids and a loving wife, he says family is his grounding force. “I consider myself a very family-orientated person. Whether it’s supporting my kids in sports and academics or just spending meaningful time together, family is always my top priority.”
He enjoys playing tennis and golf, although the latter has admittedly taken a backseat. “I used to play a lot more sports when I was younger. These days, my spare time is often spent at my kids’ cricket matches or ensuring their development.”
Travel is another favourite pastime for the Khan family. Turkey is their top international destination. “Turkey is an exciting mix of Eastern culture and European modernity. The architecture, food and history make it such a rewarding experience every time.”
Clicks occupies a special place in South Africa’s healthcare and retail industries. However, the combination of in-store and online offerings provides numerous challenges that Ridwan and his team tackle daily.
“Clicks handles hundreds of thousands of product types and requires seamless integration between supply chains, physical stores and online platforms,” Ridwan explains. “Our aim is delivering the best possible customer experience – whether it’s in-store or through e-commerce. That means striking a fine balance between IT innovation and traditional retail excellence.”
Some of Clicks’s innovations include the in-pharmacy ticketing system, smart lockers for click-and-collect customers, and online tools like digital vitamin recommendation platforms. Ridwan is also involved in a significant upgrade of Clicks’ pharmacy systems called LEAP, transforming systems over 20 years old into state-of-the-art platforms.
Looking forward, Ridwan sees IT as the backbone of retail, particularly as the boundaries between online and physical commerce merge. “Ultimately, our goal is to make the customer’s journey as seamless and satisfying as we can. It’s about giving them what they need, where they need it, when they need it.”
