His extensive ICT experience makes Ziaad a ‘perfect fit’ to drive digital transformation in the company.
Ziaad Suleman has taken on the role of chief commercial officer for iOCO, EOH’s systems integrator and largest business. He will become part of the EOH executive committee and report to group chief executive officer Stephen van Coller.
Ziaad is extremely active in the ICT space. He represents South Africa as the SA Chair of the 4IR Digital Economy committee on BRICS, he also co-chairs the ICT 4IR Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) Presidential Business Advisory group and is the Lead of the PPGI Digital Skills Portfolio.
“I am extremely excited to have someone of Ziaad’s calibre with his extensive experience in the ICT industry across sub-Saharan Africa, joining our business. His appointment complements our already strong executive team. The fact that we can attract such senior talent to EOH is testament to our distinctive value proposition as well as the digital transformation opportunities that we are pursuing as the world emerges from Covid-19. Ziaad’s background is a perfect fit for EOH as the group drives towards a profitable and ethical business,” Stephen said.
Ziaad holds a postgraduate honour's degree in Law with distinction from the University of Natal and a Business Management (MDP) with distinction qualification from the GIBS Business School.
He spent 13 years at IBM, with the initial seven years as the head of legal and the last six years as the chief operations officer across Southern Africa, being on both IBM South Africa’s board of directors and executive committee. In addition, Ziaad chaired the company’s social and ethics committee as well as the disciplinary board. In his role he was integral to the successful growth and development of IBM’s business in the region.
Ziaad’s core areas included transformation and operations, strategy, special projects and investments, sales transaction support, BEE, and the establishment of a local delivery centre and digital lab. Prior to joining IBM, Ziaad spent three years with Business Connexion (BCX).
He is also passionate about community development through his roles as the independent non-executive chairperson of Qode, the chairperson of the Parktown Girls Governing Body and is also a non-executive director of Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa.
