Howard Balmer

Result-driven Enterprise Technology Consultant and Advisor delivering technology transformation, standardisation and regional integration services. Also experienced in the design of Service Management-focused IT organizations that streamline multiterritory operations and align technology investments directly with business value.

Strategic IT Consultant and Advisor at Independent Technology Consulting (2026-03 – Present)

Specializing in high-impact technology transformation, consolidation, and integration. Partnering with single and multi-territory organizations to standardize technology stacks and optimize operating models. Driving an effective data and AI strategy to manage the risk of AI tool deployment. Experienced in building Service Management-focused IT functions that maximize technology investments and drive measurable business value.

Global Service Management Platforms Lead at PwC (UK) (2022-02 – 2026-02)

Spearhead global service management transformation, stabilising heavily customised ServiceNow platform and enabling standardised, automated, and AI-driven processes across all territories. Direct global governance forum to align stakeholder requirements, oversee strategic initiatives, and drive operational efficiency in service management delivery.

• Led the deployment of a new out-of-the-box ServiceNow instance with risk management functionality, securing executive approval and funding for the full platform reimplementation and global migration of existing Service Management functionality for 400k users across 150 territories, scheduled for completion by late 2026.
• Led the global observability team, monitoring global infrastructure and applications with automated issue and threat management processes.
• Sustained platform stability while expanding capabilities with zero budget growth over four years by optimising and evolving the ServiceNow environment through targeted enhancements and disciplined cost control.
• Led a global team of 250+ resources based in the Americas, Europe, South Africa and India

Africa CIO & Africa CDO at PwC (South Africa) (2015-11 – 2022-01)

Led the Africa implementation of the Global enterprise-wide cloud adoption at scale, consolidating fragmented systems into global SaaS platforms (Oracle Fusion, Salesforce, Workday, ServiceNow), retiring redundant applications, and exiting physical data-centre operations. Established financial transparency and value accountability for technology investment, embedding portfolio governance, end-to-end cost visibility, and realised benefits tracking across services and initiatives. Supported the territory Digital Transformation initiative, strengthening digital business execution capabilities, deploying analytics, data orchestration, and intelligent automation platforms to accelerate decision-making.

Helped shape global technology direction and compliance, contributing to enterprise governance bodies overseeing platform standardisation, modernisation, and risk management.

• Created region-wide digital technology blueprint spanning 17 South and Central African countries, synchronising local execution with global standards and repositioning technology as a commercial value driver.
• Redesigned IT operating practices into a service-led delivery model, embedding service ownership, introducing standardised demand intake, and institutionalising service management via ServiceNow and Azure DevOps.
• Launched regional data leadership function, defining data governance, architecture, and operating models while building a dedicated data capability to support strategic growth.

Associate Director at PwC Exordia / PwC Technology Consulting (2013-02 – 2015-10)

Led multi-phase IT transformation initiatives, driving organisational alignment, governance, and client delivery improvements.

• Contract Project/Programme Manager: Revitalised a failing large-scale program by implementing structured remediation and delivery controls, restoring execution discipline and client confidence.
• Permanent PMO & Governance Lead: Secured permanent appointment within one year by establishing a PMO, standardising governance and delivery frameworks, and integrating internal application development into core operations, enhancing enterprise-wide project efficiency.
• Advisory - Consulting Director: Following Exordia's integration into Advisory, led multiple client IT transformation projects, delivering measurable business and technology strategies and improvements.

Technology Advisor to the Acting CIO at South African Post Office (SAPO) (2012-04 – 2013-01)

Drove organisational IT resilience and governance by providing executive-level advisory support on enterprise technology strategy, operational leadership, and security risk management. Maintained alignment for Postbank corporatisation by providing SAPO technology representation and supporting IT-wide structural and architectural readiness for banking-license requirements.

• Earned contract extension based on delivered impact, leading cross-functional business and technology initiatives to operationalise recommended transformations and embed sustainable change.
• Spearheaded IT strategy and organisational redesign, aligning technology operations with SAPO restructuring strategy to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

Senior Consultant at Extraordinary Minds

Lead Business & Technology Consultant at Tsepo Technology Consulting

Confidential – Global Financial Services Start-up

Shareholder & Director – Business and IT Consulting & Turnaround Specialists at Palladium Phendula (formerly E-Cubed)

Head of Group IT at I-Net Bridge

Group IT Manager at Omnia Group

Technology Consulting, Business Process Outsourcing, Regional IT Director at Andersen Consulting (Accenture)

• Technology Consulting
• Business Process Outsourcing
• Regional IT Director

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – University of Cape Town (UCT)