Andre Pillay

Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) / CIO | IT Strategy, Governance & Digital Transformation

Talent

JohannesburgMember since September 15, 2026

Group IT StrategyIT GovernanceFinancial Ownership (CAPEX/OPEX, ROI)Post-Merger IT IntegrationTarget Operating Model DesignEnterprise Platform IntegrationMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralContent Cloud & Digital Asset ArchitectureEgnyteAdobe Creative CloudCyber SecurityRisk & ComplianceICT GovernanceKing IVPOPIA ComplianceHybrid CloudInfrastructure ModernisationAzureAWSCross-Border Network Partner ManagementMentoringChase ProductionChase Nexus MediaPower BIChase InsightMicrosoft 365Business ContinuityDisaster RecoveryIT Risk ManagementIT Budget Planning

Hire this person

Send a job offer directly to this candidate

Group IT StrategyIT GovernanceFinancial Ownership (CAPEX/OPEX, ROI)Post-Merger IT IntegrationTarget Operating Model Design

About

Technology executive with 20+ years' leadership experience, including 10+ years at C-level as CIO then CTO of Nahana Communications Group, a multi-entity marketing and communications group. Currently leading full IT integration of Nahana and Park Advertising following their merger — designing and executing the group's target operating model across infrastructure, cybersecurity, applications, ITSM, data and IT governance, and confirmed as the combined group's permanent Head of IT (CIO/CTO). Deep, hands-on ownership of the agency technology stack: Chase Production and Chase Nexus Media as the operational core, integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for GAAP-compliant multi-company finance, Egnyte as an API-connected content cloud automating project provisioning off Chase job bags, and Power BI/Chase Insight dashboards linking utilisation to client profitability.

Owns Group IT strategy, budget and SOX and King IV-aligned governance (reflecting Omnicom's continued equity interest in Nahana); leads a technology team of 8; currently completing CGEIT, CISM, ITIL 4 Foundation and COBIT 2019 Foundation to deepen enterprise governance and security credentials.

Experience

Chief Technology Officer - Nahana Communications Group - Johannesburg

(2018-01)

Leading full IT integration of Nahana and Park Advertising post-merger: redesigned the group operating model across ~59 IT capabilities in 7 domains (Infrastructure, Cyber Security, ITSM, Applications, IT GRC, Strategy & Delivery, Data), moving from an equal-footing interim structure to a confirmed target state with Andre as the combined group's sole permanent Head of IT (CIO/CTO).

Own and evolve the agency's core technology stack — Chase Production and Chase Nexus Media for job bags, resourcing, timesheets and media buying — natively integrated into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for multi-company, GAAP-compliant financial reporting.
Leading migration to Egnyte as the group's hybrid content cloud, architecting API integration with Chase so new client job bags automatically provision matching, access-controlled project folders — removing manual setup across the creative production workflow.
Built Power BI and Chase Insight dashboards combining agency utilisation data with Dynamics 365 financial data to give Exco real-time, per-client profitability reporting.
Define, own and drive Group technology strategy and multimillion-rand CAPEX/OPEX budget across multiple business units, translating priorities into an executable roadmap with direct accountability for delivery.
Established Group cyber security strategy and ICT governance frameworks — risk management, disaster recovery, SOX and King IV-aligned controls, POPIA compliance — strengthening audit readiness given Omnicom's continued equity interest in Nahana.
Chair risk and technology governance committees, reporting directly to Group Executives and the Board, while remaining hands-on in critical delivery and technical decisions.
Lead a technology team of 8 across infrastructure, cyber security and service delivery, embedding clear performance goals and accountability.
Engage at group level with international network partners WeberShandwick and Omnicom (formerly IPG) on agency network integration and technology governance alignment.

Chief Information Officer - Nahana Communications - Johannesburg

(2010-01 - 2018-12)

Defined and implemented enterprise-wide IT strategy, building a centralised operating model that standardised infrastructure and services across the organisation.
Directed cloud adoption programmes (Microsoft 365, AWS), personally overseeing technical delivery to enable remote work, scalability and resilience.
Implemented business continuity and disaster recovery frameworks for critical systems, and led IT risk management, audits and governance.
Managed IT budget planning, procurement and vendor relationships across multiple regions and business units, with direct oversight of contract and SLA performance.

Technical Director / Studio Manager - FCB South Africa - Johannesburg

(1999-01 - 2010-12)

Led hands-on technology and production operations for a large advertising and creative studio, working directly on technical delivery for major retail client accounts.

Led a team of 80+ professionals across multiple technical disciplines, implementing performance management and career development frameworks.
Delivered the South African bid-book for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, coordinating international stakeholders, vendors and delivery teams.
Led the technology and infrastructure setup of a new international office for MTN in Tanzania, establishing systems, connectivity and operational capability in a new market.