The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative announce new directors

JOHANNESBURG - Oct. 5, 2018 - PRLog -- The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) has expanded its board of directors, appointing Ian Russell.  Russell is to advise on a massive scale-up program to support South African tech and tech-inspired start-up businesses.  His advisory role will also involve increasing CiTi's impact, and de facto, the growth of tech entrepreneurs in the country.

Ian is the founder and CEO of the Disrupting Consultancy firm, focusing on advising and leading organisations through our ever-changing landscape.

Previous roles include being the CEO of BCX, South Africa's largest technology company, and he was part of the Telkom Exco, at the heart of the organisation's turnaround. He also played a major role in SABMiller's global expansion. He was one of the initial architects of the acquisition of ABSA by Barclays in 2005 and managed the post-merger integration work.

Ian is enthused to be joining the board of CiTi (the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative). Established in 1999, it is best-known for managing the Bandwidth Barn, a space for start-ups to grow and connect in Cape Town.  CiTi also successfully runs several programmes in the skills and enterprise development space. Russell brings a wealth of experience of operating at scale to CiTi and has an intimate understanding of corporate SA's challenges in adapting to a new technology-driven economy and the skills constraints which they face.

"Having worked closely with the CiTi team for the best part of a decade, in many guises, I am delighted to be joining their Board, giving me a chance to help accelerate the development of next generation of entrepreneurs and businesses," said Russell.

Ian Merrington, CEO of CiTi and the Bandwidth Barn said "The executive team at CiTi welcome the additional experience and diversity that our new board members bring to our organisation and I have no doubt that they will play a major strategic role in assisting CiTi to evolve to meet the enormous challenges which South Africa faces with regards to youth unemployment and the technology skills crises."

Joshin Raghubar, Chairman of CiTi and The Bandwidth Barn said "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Aisha Pandor, Ian Russell and Tamara Esau to our Board of Directors. As we approach our 20th Anniversary next year, we not only wish to consolidate our position as Africa's oldest technology incubator, but we also want to equip ourselves to play a major role in transforming and capacitating South Africa's digital economy."

About Disrupting Consultancy Pty

The Disrupting Consultancy firm was founded by its CEO, Ian Russell. Disrupting is a niche, Board advisory and consultancy company, focused on challenging the status quo, and energising businesses to the next level. Disrupting focuses on examining the performance of businesses from every angle, and work with Boards and Executive Committees to chart a new paths forwards. Disrupting has a particular focus on strategy evaluation, digital roadmaps, technology evolution and digital disruption. https://disrupting.co.za/