Requests
0
Keep in touch with meI'm using Intch to connect with new people. Use this link to open chat with me via Intch app
Work Background
More Than Business . NetStrategic Business Consultant
Jun. 2025South AfricaI provide tailored consulting solutions that combine strategic leadership with practical, technology-driven support for schools, universities, and businesses. My services cover the full spectrum of operations from risk and compliance, financial benchmarking, and workforce planning to EdTech integration, governance, and capital projects, delivered through ready-to-use tools and advisory frameworks that create lasting impact. • Strategy & Governance – Helping organisations strengthen strategic direction, governance frameworks, and accreditation readiness while ensuring compliance and risk control.
• Operations & Compliance – Streamlining operations through policy frameworks, SOPs, and facilities management while safeguarding health, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Finance & Sustainability – Enabling financial resilience with advanced budgeting, benchmarking, and turnaround strategies tailored to long-term sustainability.
• People & Culture – Redesigning organisations through workforce planning, job family frameworks, and HR solutions that support growth and career pathways.
• Technology & Innovation – Driving digital transformation with AI, automation, ERP/LMS integration, and data-driven tools that enhance performance and decision-making.
• Community & Reputation – Building trust and visibility through stakeholder engagement, CSR initiatives, branding, and reputation management. Based in South Africa, I am available for global consulting engagements, both on-site and remote. Currently working with ProSapient, AlphaSights, and GLG.
British International School Riyadh (BISR)Chief Operating Officer
Sep. 2022 - Jun. 2025Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Executive Leadership & Operational Management: Spearhead the strategic management of day-to-day operations across 7 campuses in Saudi Arabia. Directed key functions including Finance, ICT, Facilities, HR, Marketing, and Registration Office. Human Capital strategy: Workforce planning and Employee lifecycle management. Collaborated with BBD Consulting to develop and implement benchmarked financial ratios, enabling effective budgeting aligned with international standards
Financial Management: Managed a SAR 120 million budget, driving revenue growth through business development initiatives, fee structuring, and robust financial planning. Implemented risk management strategies to ensure financial sustainability, P&L Management and Cash Flow efficiency. Optimized financial forecasting using the Burford Model as developed by Deloitte
Strategic Planning & Governance: Partnered with the Board to set the strategic direction for the organization, employing a balanced scorecard approach to establish goals, monitor key performance indicators, and ensure alignment with the organizational vision.
Project Management & Campus Expansion: Delivered campus expansions (50,000m² total), increasing enrollment capacity by 100%. Oversaw the planning, development, and execution of new campus projects, including the construction and operational setup of 4 additional campuses. Acted as lead negotiator for all residential and commercial contracts
Relationship Building: Built and maintained strategic partnerships with stakeholders, including the board, government agencies and contractors to support the organization’s growth and reputation.
IT & Innovation Strategy: Developed and implemented a cutting-edge IT strategy focused on EdTech and AI, enhancing efficiency and student outcomes. Streamlining processes across campuses through the introduction of the ISAMS ERP system and Auxiliary software, enhancing operational efficiency and data management through BI.
Canadian University DubaiChief Operating Officer (COO)
Apr. 2018 - Sep. 2022Dubai Strategic Leadership: Served as a key member of the Executive Management Team and University Senate, driving professional services and overseeing daily operations. Innovated and implemented strategic and operational plans aligned with the University’s ambitious growth objectives, ensuring long-term sustainability and success.
High-Level Contract Negotiations: Acted as lead negotiator for the AED 200 million 2020 Campus Expansion Plan, securing profitable and strategically advantageous deals with contractors, vendors, and partners. Operational Oversight: Oversaw critical functions including Analytics & Decision Support and Enterprise Operations. Provided monthly reports to the President and Board, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Crisis Management: Chaired the Covid-19 Protocol Committee, leading the development and implementation of policies and safety procedures to safeguard the well-being of students, staff, and visitors.
Human Resources & Corporate Services: Direct customer-focused HR and corporate services, managing the entire HR lifecycle. Developed and communicated policies, procedures, and e-services to enhance employee satisfaction and engagement. Governance, Legal & Compliance: Oversaw compliance with UAE and Dubai regulations, including trade licenses, trademarks, property rentals, and service agreements. External Relations & Marketing: Secured key local and international partnerships, including an agreement with Dubai Financial Markets to implement a stock trading platform.
Campus Administration & Infrastructure: Managed campus administration and physical infrastructure, ensuring compliance with EHS, security, and facility maintenance standards. Business Development: Identified and analyzed potential markets, forecasting opportunities for strategic projects. Launched three new business ventures, diversifying the organization’s portfolio and increasing revenue streams.
Canadian University DubaiExecutive Director HR and Admin
Mar. 2017 - Apr. 2018Dubai, United Arab Emirates Member of working team on University re-accreditation and program accreditation processes. Lead and maintain Campus Physical- Infrastructure and environmental requirements as per standards including EHS and security, bio and chemical lab safety and implementation of policy and training. *Outsourced facility maintenance to achieve a saving of AED 800,000 per annum and implementation of electronic facility maintenance system to ensure timely and cost effective management. Management and coordination of legal services, renewal of trade and other licenses, trademarks, property rental and service delivery agreements, Corporate and personnel insurance policies and coordination of legal matters through attorneys to ensure legal compliance and compliance to regulations from Dubai Municipality, Department of Economic Development Dubai and related ministries. *Oversaw student accommodation and negotiated a AED 2M saving per annum Establishment of “Touché a Tout” Nursery on CUD campus for staff and faculty use. Maintain HR Director duties as previous
Canadian University DubaiHuman Resources Director
Jun. 2015 - Mar. 2017Dubai, United Arab Emirates Member of the Executive Management team and Board Member of PACE Disability Rehabilitation Center. Established and leads all strategic and operational HR & Admin activities across Dubai Education and Canadian University Dubai (CUD). Leads customer focused HR & Admin services through development and communication of Policy and Procedures, Faculty and Staff Handbooks, to support the vision and enhance customer satisfaction, creating of a conducive working environment and an engaged workforce. Strategic manpower planning and structuring. Lead International faculty and staff recruitment in terms of strategic academic focus and management of headcount budget, position control and alignment with academic and strategic plan. Maintain a staff/faculty ratio of less than 1.1 per annum
Implementation of Employee Self Service portal to provide best in class customer service, timely information and ease of administration. Effective Reward and Recognition Management through the introduction of a new policy on employee performance, training and development, *Rewards management and the implementation of a new Employee Engagement Survey based on Gallup. Development of strategic partnerships. Creation and construction of the CUD stock trading center in partnership with Dubai Financial Markets to facilitate hands-on education for students. Establishment of the off-site “PACE Disability Rehabilitation Centre” for special needs children in Dubai under Dubai Education and oversee the day to day operations of the center. (PACE Centre is not for Profit). Effective cost management, procurement, budgeting, payroll and acting as CFO while position is under recruitment
Qatar Foundation R&DAdministrative Support Manager
Sep. 2013 - Jun. 2015Doha Established and lead all strategic HR activities across 5 research centres, the Qatar National Research Fund and the Science and Technology Park.
Lead manpower planning, organizational structuring, budget and recruitment of 3,000 research professionals as per QF recruitment strategy. Hired 700 R&D Professionals in the first year.
Developed, implemented and communicated R&D HR and administrative policies, process and procedures to support the research vision and R&D start-up. Created a new job evaluation system, Research Job Family Management System (JFMS) and Comp & Ben structure through market benchmarking.
Human Resources lifecycle management including best practice pre- and post-onboarding to ensure a smooth assimilation into QF international culture. Arrival and assimilation support for over 50 new staff arrivals per month.
Manage HR Generalist service delivery to all R&D centres including visa and sponsorships, health insurance, passport renewal, medical examinations, licenses and professional memberships.
Coordinating appointment and lifecycle of graduate trainees sent to international Universities for further studies in M.Sc. and PhD. fields towards scientific careers.
Lead and maintain Administration and Physical- Infrastructure as per standards including supplemental systems for housing and space-planning, applied technology to create paperless processes increasing efficiency.
United Arab Emirates UniversityAssistant Director Human Resources
Aug. 2009 - Sep. 2013United Arab Emirates Managed HR function for 3,000 staff and faculty members, leading a team of 20 HR staff.
Transformed a previously clerical HR operation to become a strategic partner to the University, building and training the team to take responsibility as Business Partners to University Departments and Colleges.
Introduced policies and procedures and developed a paperless recruitment cycle. Conducted HR process analysis; identified, improved and streamlined complex work processes to become more efficient and user friendly. Reduced the International Recruitment cycle from 3 months to 2 weeks.
Managed international recruitment function for staff and faculty to meet manpower requirements. Developed new on-boarding policy and process, facilitating swift integration into the University and culture. Managed on-boarding of up to 120 families in one weekend, coordinating all service providers and facilities for staff. Managed the job grading system, compensation and benefits, leave, pension and general administration. Supervised exit strategy and end of service, ensuring a positive experience and retaining progressive relationships.
Improved efficiency of budget preparation and position control for all HR, college and operation functions.
Led HR Information and Knowledge Management (HRIS). Established following paperless E- Services linked with Banner through projects with the University IT Services: E-Leave System; E-End of Service System; E-Overtime System; E-Vacation Tickets System; E-Education Fee System; E-Travel System; E-Beneficiary Tracking System; E-Performance Management System; E-TWIMC System; E-Recruitment System.
Al Fara'a ConstructionCorporate Human Resources Manager
Dec. 2007 - Aug. 2009United Arab Emirates Led HR functions for Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE; 6 companies and 5 offices.
Managed HR and Admin for 14,000 staff and labour across the group of companies. recruitment drives to meet manpower requirements. Developed and executed HR and Administration policies/standards to ensure effective, fair and equitable management of staff. Developed over 100 policies & processes for the Group. Implemented equitable remuneration and benefits strategies.
Initiated innovative HR branding to encourage open communication between ex-pat labour and the company, ensuring retention and productivity and preventing grievances or conflict.
Intch is a Professional Networking App for the Future of WorkSee more people like Hennie on Intch
300k+ people
130+ countries
AI matching
Get Intch if you'd like to
626729 people
23
Educator/Coach/Entrepeneur, Leader, Motivator, Problem Solver @ ArchED Learning and Development
20
Project Leader /Project Manager @ Thomas Matern Developments
16
Junior Consultant @ PVT
153405 people
17
Logistics Specialist @ ZenCorp
16
Director @ The Accounting Lady (Pty) Ltd
18
Owner @ Two Hearts Cookery Studio