Laylaa Okike

Laylaa Okike Sandton|- |-| linkedin.com/in/laylaa-okike-46403b27 Kindly note, due to the character limitations on LinkedIn, more information is provided on my resume. Chief Operating Officer| Chief Executive Officer | CIO Disability Doesn't Define Her: Bridging the Digital Divide, Laylaa Okike Connects Africa to the 4IR As a seasoned COO and CEO, I have carved my path through the Global business landscape and African innovation. My diverse leadership roles of Group COO, CEO and CIO, have honed a unique blend of strategic agility, operational and efficiencies mastery, and an unwavering commitment to building high-performance teams culture. As part of my PhD research, I have championed the integration of 4IR technologies like robotics, not just through my research at Witwatersrand University, but also by spearheading transformative digital strategies in my executive roles. My team and I have left a trail of success: establishing and managing operations across nine African countries, including US , UK and EU, leading impactful business expansions and turnarounds, operational excellence and championing customer growth through driving a collaborative team culture. But the impact extends beyond numbers. As the first disabled woman to undertake such ground-breaking academic pursuits in Africa, allowed me to embody resilience and inclusivity, inspiring others to break down barriers and adopting the spirit of working as a collaborative team. My leadership working with great teams not only allows me to navigate the complexities of international business but also envision a future where Africa and other Global countries can work in harmony and drive optimisation within their operations. The diverse teams I have worked with have shaped me into a collaborative leader with passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to progress on the global stage driving people and team success. I believe that a leader does not lead with titles, but through building a high-performance culture within their teams. . SKILLS § § § § § § Strategic Thinking & Critical Thinking Global Business Expertise Visionary Leadership Strategy & Innovation Business Process Optimisation Project Management § § § § § § 4IR Robotics Focus Data Analytics & Intelligence Operational Efficiencies P&L Management Problem-Solving Governance, Risk and Compliance § § § § § § Performance Management Effective Communication Financial Management ISO Standards Budget Management Digital Automation PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IMPUMA GROUP | SANDTON | JANUARY 2022 – PRESENT The Impuma Group is a cutting-edge consolidation of companies with one thing in common – entrepreneurial spirit. The Group has multiple subsidiaries that operate within Government, FinTech, Property Development, Insurance, Mega Cities Development, Solar Power, Engineering, Asset Management, Mining, Higher Education Institutions, Financial Services, Defence, Petrochemical and Aviation. Group Executive Operations and ICT • • • • • Strategic Leadership and Operational Oversight: Design and implement business strategies, plans, and procedures. Lead the development and execution of strategic plans for Impuma Group and its subsidiaries, ensuring alignment with business objectives and goals, including the effective execution of contracts. Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth. Operational Management: Oversee daily operations of the company and its departments, ensuring efficient and effective operations that meet or exceed industry benchmarks. Provide strong leadership to the Operations team, ensuring all contracts are executed in accordance with tendered margins and agreed safety, quality, and environmental standards. Global Expansion Strategies: Lead efforts to expand Impuma's presence into new markets, particularly across Africa, by developing tailored strategies that account for regional dynamics. Evaluate existing processes and systems to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure operational excellence in new markets. Business Development & Commercial Growth: Collaborate with the CEO and other senior executives to develop growth strategies for new and existing markets. Identify opportunities for expansion and diversification within Africa. Board Engagement: Offer continuous strategic guidance to the Board on the organisation's overall operations, encompassing quality assurance and risk management. Laylaa Okike • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • - Contact:- Financial Management and Performance: Develop and manage IT and Operations budgets, monitoring expenditure and ensuring contracts are planned, monitored, and executed within allowed budgets and contractual conditions. Contribute to the company’s financial performance and growth by identifying strategies and opportunities for profitability, increased market share, and cost reduction. Actively manage operational costs, providing accurate and timely operational-related data for company and group reporting deliverables. Customer Centricity: Drive successful initiatives that improve the customer satisfaction journey, ensure increased customer growth, retention, and profitability. Champion CVM cycle across the Group. Contract Execution: Ensure timely mobilisation of resources required to effectively execute contracts, actively managing the Operations team through appropriate KPI tracking systems to meet company budgets and targets. Implement and maintain tools/processes on all contracts to monitor and maximise productivity and efficiency returns. Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain business relationships with key stakeholders, firmly establishing Impuma as a leading contractor. Collaborate with other executives and stakeholders to ensure that the operations strategy supports overall business objectives and customer needs. Media and Public Relations: Championed engagements with Media houses, ie, News24, eNCA, Sunday Times, Daily Maverick to mitigate media risks. Successfully developed Media framework to enhance public image and narratives. Risk and Compliance: Ensure operations complies with all regulatory standards in various African countries and adherence to company policies and frameworks. Effective risk management. Promote the overall culture of the company with emphasis on HSE practices, quality, environmental standards, IR practices, integrity, and business ethics. Visionary Leadership: Spearheaded strategic initiatives, inspired and directed senior leadership, and drove innovation to achieve organisational excellence and sustainable growth. Culture Promotion: Promote the overall culture of the company with emphasis on HSE practices, quality, environmental standards, IR practices, integrity, and business ethics. IT Vision and Digital Transformation: Shape Impuma's IT roadmap and execute digital transformation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. Leverage data analytics to gain insights and optimize processes across the organization, aligning IT initiatives with broader business goals. Resource Mobilisation and Efficiency: Ensure timely mobilization of resources required to effectively execute contracts, actively managing the Operations team through appropriate KPI tracking systems to meet company budgets and targets. Implement and maintain tools/processes on all contracts to monitor and maximize productivity and efficiency returns. 4IR & Robotics Insights: Bring expertise in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies and robotics to Impuma, exploring their potential applications and driving innovation within the Group. Evaluate industry trends and market conditions to stay ahead of the curve in adopting new technologies. Data-Driven Decision Making and Continuous Improvement: Utilise advanced analytics to inform strategic decisions and identify trends and opportunities in service improvement. Evaluate performance by analysing and interpreting data and metrics. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC): Ensure robust corporate governance, manage operational risks, and maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements. Implement and oversee policies and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure the company's operations adhere to legal and ethical standards. Foster a culture of accountability and transparency throughout the organisation. Change Management and Continuous Improvement: Implement new systems and processes to streamline workflows and drive operational efficiencies, fostering a culture of constant improvement across the organisation. Communication and Collaboration: Clearly communicate strategies, goals, and performance expectations to all levels of the organisation, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture. MECE PROJECTS | JOHANNESBURG| OCTOBER 2020 – DECEMBER 2021 MECE Projects - a company specializing in the development and integration of 4IR technologies, particularly robotics, within Manufacturing operations, Universities & TUT Colleges, Defence and Aerospace, Government, Energy and Mining sectors. Chief Executive Officer • • • Strategic Leadership and Vision: Built and empowered high-performing teams to execute profitable growth strategies and drive business expansion through forward-thinking innovation and sound investment decisions. Strategic Planning: Develop and implement production engineering strategies to optimize manufacturing processes and align with business objectives. Technology Expertise and Innovation: Spearheaded the integration of 4IR technologies into manufacturing while fostering a culture of innovation and operational excellence. Laylaa Okike • • • • • • • • • • • • • - Contact:- Technology Integration: Oversee the integration of new technologies and automation to streamline production workflows and increase operational efficiency. Operational Excellence and Execution: Launched a robotic operation, streamlined daily operations, safeguarded compliance, and identified insightful solutions through comprehensive data analysis. Process Improvement: Identify and execute initiatives to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality. Risk Management and Mitigation: Assessed risks to the company and ensured risks are monitored, mitigated, and minimized in accordance with the company risk report. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Develop and maintain appropriate business relationships with key stakeholders, firmly establishing MECE Projects as a leading contractor in its field of operation. Risk Management and Mitigation: Assess risks to the company and ensure they are monitored, mitigated, and minimized in accordance with the company risk report, safeguarding compliance and minimizing potential disruptions to operations. Continuous Improvement and Culture Promotion: Actively pursue and promote the overall culture of the company, emphasizing HSE practices, quality, environmental standards, IR practices, integrity, and business ethics. Supply Chain Management: Oversee the end-to-end supply chain process, ensuring efficient procurement, inventory management, and distribution. Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure the timely delivery of quality materials and services. Team Leadership: Lead and mentor the production engineering team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Resource Management: Manage resources effectively, including equipment, materials, and personnel, to ensure optimal production capacity and capability. Quality Control: Ensure production engineering processes adhere to quality standards and regulatory requirements, implementing corrective actions as necessary. Employee Development and Talent Management: Identify key development needs of staff to ensure necessary competencies are maintained and improved in line with evolving job requirements, fostering a culture of constant improvement and talent development. Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain, to ensure seamless production operations and timely project delivery. PRODUCTONE SOLUTIONS| CENTURION | JUNE 2020 – OCTOBER 2020 ProductOne Solutions is an engineering company that specialises in product development solutions company that operates in Public Sector, Universities & TUT Colleges, Defence and Aerospace, Industrial Equipment and High Tech electronics. Chief Operations Officer • • • • • • • • Business Transformation & Strategy Execution: Led a comprehensive business transformation, aligning technology and teams to a new operational model. Managed budgets effectively while empowering managers to drive sustained performance excellence. Data-Driven Decision Making & Analytics: Leveraged advanced analytics to inform strategic decisions and optimise operations. Implemented efficient data management practices to ensure the availability of actionable insights for all stakeholders. Project Management & Systems Integration: Successfully integrated complex systems through meticulous project management, including data migration and robust security measures. Fostered smooth vendor collaborations to deliver on service promises and strategic roadmaps. Board Engagement: Offer continuous strategic guidance to the Board on the organisation's overall operations, encompassing quality assurance and risk management. Communication & Stakeholder Management: Cultivated trust and collaboration with executive leadership, investors, partners, and clients through effective communication. Facilitated open dialogue to forge a united path forward and ensure alignment with company goals. Visionary Leadership & People Development: Directed and assisted senior executives, advocated for diversity and transformation efforts, and fostered thought leadership across multiple industries to encourage a culture of continuous learning and growth. Innovation & Service Excellence: Instilled a culture of innovation and service excellence, prioritizing exceptional client experiences. Nurtured a sales and service ethos that drove ground-breaking solutions and positioned the company as a leader in the industry. Partnership Management: Oversaw a strategic partnership with PTC USA, ensuring alignment with business objectives and maximizing value for both parties. Managed the partnership relationship to drive mutual success and foster collaboration on key initiatives. Laylaa Okike - Contact:- RICOH | SANDTON | FEBRUARY 2019 – FEBRUARY 2020 Ricoh is a Global company that is well known for high-quality printers, digital duplicators and multi-function printers, scanners and copiers and operates in various industries in Public Sector and Private Sector. Executive Director of Public Sector • • • • • • • Strategic Leadership & Business Development: Fuelled Ricoh's Public Sector surge, forging executive bonds, driving strategy, and leveraging industry platforms to solidify their leadership position. Executive Influence & Stakeholder Management: Navigated Ricoh's executive landscape, guiding Public Sector finances, amplifying CEO visibility, and influencing board decisions from the inner circle. Board Engagement: Offer continuous strategic guidance to the Board on the organisation's overall operations, encompassing quality assurance and risk management. Innovation & Thought Leadership: Sparked innovation at Ricoh, driving departmental efficiency, sharing 4IR and PPP insights on industry stages, and shaping Public Sector evolution through thought leadership. Communication & Influence: Bridged executive realms and industry networks, securing strategic buy-in through persuasive arguments and proposals. Public Sector Expertise & Network: Navigated the intricate web of the Public Sector, wielding deep expertise and a powerful network to forge strategic alliances and secure growth for Ricoh. People Development & Leadership: Led and mentored a team of senior-level executives, championed diversity and transformation initiatives across EMEA, and built thought leadership across industries in EMEA to foster a culture of continuous learning and development. Interviewed by Brainstorm magazine / ITWeb on 4IR and Network Infrastructure “What lies beneath” and on YouTube channel http://www.brainstormmag.co.za/roundtables/14600-what-lies-beneath GIJIMA HOLDINGS | MIDRAND | SEPTEMBER 2017 – JANUARY 2019 Gijima Holdings is one of SA’s leading ICT companies that focuses on Technology, Software, IT Services within multiple sectors i.e. Government, Telecommunications, Government, Banking, Financial Services, Fintech, Manufacturing, Defence and aerospace, Mining, etc. Public Sector Executive Head • • • • • • Turnaround Specialist & Strategic Leadership: Spearheaded the Public Sector revamp, driving growth, optimising operations, and fostering collaboration across government entities to secure profitability. Executive Relationship Management & Influence: Wielded my network and negotiating prowess to land major deals with government giants, shaping industry conversations and securing Gijima's place at the Public Sector's decision-making table. Financial Accountability & Strategic Deal Shaping: Stewarded Public Sector financials, carved lucrative partnerships, and fuelled Gijima's growth through precise forecasting and pipeline management. Communication & Stakeholder Management: Aligned diverse stakeholders, amplified Gijima's voice, and fostered industry leadership through insightful dialogue and strategic partnerships. Data-Driven Decision Making & Performance Tracking: Tracked progress, optimized resources, and continuously refined Gijima's Public Sector turnaround through insightful metrics and OKR frameworks. People Development & Leadership: Provided coaching and mentorship to senior-level heads of departments, championed diversity and transformation initiatives, and built thought leadership across industries to foster a culture of continuous learning and development. SEBATA | MIDRAND | SEPTEMBER 2015 – SEPTEMBER 2017 SEBATA is a world-class Group of companies with subsidiaries focusing predominantly on Energy, Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing, Petrochemical, Energy (Smart Grids), Nuclear, Water Demand and Conservation management, Mining, Africa Higher Education Institutions, Telecommunications, Technology and Defence and aerospace, Government and Dams Hydrology, etc. Group Chief Operating Officer Laylaa Okike • • • • • • • • • • • - Contact:- Turnaround Leadership & Strategic Vision: Led Sebata's global resurgence, quadrupling revenue by strategically restructuring operations and expanding into new markets. Oversaw operational optimisation efforts that propelled Sebata's growth trajectory. Operational Excellence & Transformation: Implemented streamlined processes and data-driven decision-making across continents, resulting in enhanced performance and operational efficiency. Evaluated existing systems to identify improvement opportunities and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Board Engagement: Offer continuous strategic guidance to the Board on the organisation's overall operations, encompassing quality assurance and risk management. Financial Acumen & Resource Management: Generated significant revenue growth exceeding R700 million by optimising costs and securing funding. Utilised financial expertise to transform Sebata into a profitability powerhouse, ensuring prudent resource allocation and financial reporting. Global Expansion & Project Management: Led Sebata's expansion into 9 African nations and Europe, managing complex projects and securing strategic partnerships in the US and UK. Successfully navigated diverse market landscapes to drive continental success. Supply Chain Management: Oversee the end-to-end supply chain process, ensuring efficient procurement, inventory management, and distribution. Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure the timely delivery of quality materials and services. Quality Assurance: Implement and monitor quality control processes to ensure products and services meet the highest standards of excellence. Continuously improve supply chain and quality assurance processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality. Compliance: Ensure all supply chain and quality assurance activities comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Stakeholder Management & Communication: Effectively navigated complex stakeholder relationships, fostering collaboration and securing trust through clear communication and strategic partnerships. Guided Sebata's transformation journey by engaging stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. Technology & Innovation Champion: Pioneered Sebata's digital transformation journey, championing innovation and integrating data to enhance operational efficiency. Shaped industry discourse on technology adoption and operational excellence through thought leadership and strategic initiatives. Adaptability & Leadership in Change: Demonstrated adaptability and leadership during times of change, inspiring senior executive-level teams and solving challenges with nimble adaptability. Successfully led Sebata through transformative initiatives, proving visionary leadership in dynamic environments. REAGOLA IT SERVICES| CAPE TOWN | JANUARY 2009 – AUGUST 2015 Reagola IT Services is an innovative organisation within the ICT industry. It operates within sectors of Retail, Telecommunications, Energy, Logistics, Government, Africa Higher Institutions, Engineering, Financial Services, FinTech, BPO and Product development. Its main focus is Software and ICT Chief Operating Officer - January 2010 – August 2015 • • • • • • • Strategic Vision & Execution: Orchestrated company growth from R250m to R450m by formulating and monitoring strategic plans, ensuring alignment with operational effectiveness objectives. Board Engagement: Offer continuous strategic guidance to the Board on the organisation's overall operations, encompassing quality assurance and risk management. Financial Acumen & Budgeting: Managed multi-million Rand budgets, optimised costing models, and delivered monthly/annual financial reporting to drive informed decision-making and fiscal responsibility Operational Excellence & Transformation: Redesigned the business structure, re-engineered processes, and implemented performance measurement systems to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. IT Leadership & Innovation: Developed an IT vision, roadmap, and best practices, spearheading digital transformation initiatives and leveraging data-driven insights for strategic decision-making. Change Management & Leadership: Led organisational change initiatives, fostering resilience and adaptability among teams while cultivating a high-performance culture to navigate dynamic environments effectively. Client & Stakeholder Management: Negotiated contracts, managed client relationships, and fostered partnerships across diverse geographies and industries, ensuring alignment with company goals and objectives. Laylaa Okike • • • • - Contact:- Resource Management & Expansion: Established national operations, oversaw facilities, and facilitated partnerships for expansion into multiple African markets, optimising resource allocation for strategic growth initiatives. Risk Management & Compliance: Developed risk profiles, implemented mitigating actions, and ensured adherence to corporate governance and industry regulations to mitigate risks and maintain compliance. Marketing & Business Development: Spearheaded new business development efforts, implemented CRM systems, and devised marketing strategies for online and Point of Sale initiatives to drive revenue growth and market penetration. People Development & Leadership: Provided coaching and mentorship to senior level executives, championed diversity and transformation initiatives, and built thought leadership across industries to foster a culture of continuous learning and development. Chief Business Development Officer - January 2009 – January 2010 • Growth Strategist: Propelled Reagola's expansion into new markets and service lines, skyrocketing revenue from R50m to R250m through strategic vision and execution. • Market Insight: Pinpointed untapped opportunities, enabling Reagola to develop innovative and market-aligned service and product offerings for its expanding client base. • C-Level Relationship Builder & Client Champion: Forged enduring partnerships, empowering teams to become trusted advisors and close key deals. • Performance Driver & Strategic Forecasting: Propelled sales through pinpointed forecasting, pipeline optimization, and datadriven accountability. • Innovation & Thought Leadership Advocate: Sparked new business ideas through think-tanks, while building industry influence through thought leadership. NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS Not limited to: • • • • Successfully expanded regional footprint by launching operations in 9+ African nations and Europe, implementing efficient processes and ensuring regulatory adherence. Secured significant business partnerships in US and UK through successful negotiations with leading global multinationals, driving substantial revenue growth. Delivered significant financial improvement within IT, driving a 38% cost saving without sacrificing personnel, by streamlining operations and eliminating ineffective expenditure. Successfully championed international and local stakeholder management engagements and built solid relationships within National, Provincial, and Local Governments, SOEs’, Professional Bodies, Industry partners, and International Businesses. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PhD (Technology Innovation - Robotics) | Witwatersrand University│ Current MBA | University of Stellenbosch│ 2019 BCom │ University of South Africa│2014 PROFICIENCY IN COMPUTING TOOLS CRM: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Hubspot and Bitrix Office Packages: Microsoft O365 and MacOS packages Productivity tools: Power BI, Tableau, Jira, OKR, SAP, SAP Hana4, Oracle, Sage, Analytical Solver, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, GanttPro, Microsoft Projects, Google Workspace, Miro, Slack, Trello, etc.