Ridwaan Rasool is a seasoned technology executive with more than two decades of experience in IT leadership, digital transformation, and data strategy across multiple continents. He currently serves as Chief Information Officer: Core Banking Transformation at Investec, where he leads the evolution of the bank’s core banking, card, and payments capabilities.
Ridwaan began his career as a developer before progressing into senior roles that spanned infrastructure, strategic sourcing, and digital innovation. His previous positions include Chief Data and Analytics Officer, CIO for FinCrime, Risk, Compliance, Privacy, and Internal Audit, Head of Technology: Digital and Mobile at Barclays Africa Group, and Director: Infrastructure Services at UTi Worldwide.
He has led large-scale IT operations and vendor ecosystems across three continents, driven enterprise data centre consolidation programmes, and established a commercially sustainable offshore IT delivery organisation comprising more than 600 professionals across multiple delivery centres.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Ridwaan is deeply committed to social impact. He founded the Silver Screen Project, a child welfare initiative, and leads a community-based religious non-profit organisation in Greenstone. His work with orphanages in Johannesburg underscores his commitment to grassroots development.
A Fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Ridwaan has been recognised in platforms such as the Africa Leadership Initiative and the BFSI IT Summit, where he was named among the top IT leaders driving transformation across Africa.
DataIQ asked: “How do you see the role of the data leader evolving over the next 12-24 months?”
“The role of the Chief Data Officer is set to evolve from a governance-centric function to a strategic enabler of AI-driven transformation. As generative AI and advanced analytics become embedded in core business processes, CDOs will be expected to lead not just data quality and compliance, but also value creation through data products and AI platforms.
“The focus will shift toward monetising data assets, accelerating AI adoption, and building cross-functional data capabilities that directly support business outcomes. CDOs will increasingly partner with CIOs, CMOs, and Chief Risk Officers to deliver use-case driven solutions, avoiding siloed architectures and Field of Dreams platforms that lack adoption.
“To succeed, CDOs must champion data literacy, foster a culture of experimentation, and ensure ethical AI practices are embedded from design to deployment. They’ll also play a critical role in shaping AI governance frameworks, especially as regulations tighten globally.
“Ultimately, the CDO will become a business-first leader, translating data strategy into competitive advantage. The next 12 months will demand agility, influence, and a relentless focus on delivering measurable impact through data and AI.”