Christiaan Smith

Head of Product Services Architecture Domain, managing all architectural services for product, card, investment, insurance, and payment systems across the bank. Responsibilities included:

• Setting strategic direction for the bank's product, card, investment, insurance, and payment systems.
• Developing technology strategies and roadmaps that align with the bank's product vision, while advising senior executives on key decisions.
• Leading architectural teams to deliver major initiatives successfully.
• Delivered successful enterprise-wide digital transformations, modernising legacy systems for improved user experience.
• Promoted continuous improvement culture with regular reviews of architectural approaches and industry trends analysis.
• Expert in leading the next generation payments ecosystem.

Delivered Architectural and Programme Management consulting services to both public and private sectors.

Established strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, ensuring long-term partnerships and repeat business.

Key client engagements included:

• Kiwibank Limited | Programme Advisor | Dec 2016 - Nov 2017 Provided expert project and architecture advisory services to Kiwibank's IT unit, supporting various portfolios and programmes, including SAP Core Banking and IT Service Management
• WEL Networks | Programme Manager | Jan 2018 - Apr 2018 Led a team to analyse and document a new Finance Target Operating Model, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and enhancing operational efficiency

Led the newly established Transformation and Innovation function, reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer

My primary responsibilities included:

• Managing the delivery of the Strategic Portfolio of programs for the bank, overseeing a portfolio valued at approximately $70 million.
• Establishing and leading the Innovation function under the Chief Information Officer, ensuring that the Reserve Bank remains at the forefront of advancements in the financial sector and adapts to evolving industry trends.

Provided strategic, architectural, and transformation management advisory services to both public and private sectors

Notable client engagements included:

• FirstRand Bank Limited | Finance Transformation | Business Architecture Team Lead Delivered the Finance Target Operating Model, aligning financial processes with strategic objectives.
• Postbank Limited | Banking License Application | Target State Operating Model Lead Developed a high-level Target Operating Model for the Banking License application, encompassing Business and IT Strategy, Governance, Risk and Compliance structure, and the necessary business capabilities, processes, personnel, and systems to support the future bank.
• Central African Building Society (CABS) | Operational Due Diligence and Product Effectiveness Review | Project Lead Conducted a comprehensive product suitability review, assessing the bank's business strategy, customer value propositions, and operational effectiveness, including a thorough operational due diligence of core processes, policies, procedures, risks, and controls.
• Sanlam Limited | Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Due Diligence Target Operating Model | Lead Compliance Architect Managed the delivery of an AML assessment report, evaluating customer, employee, intermediary, and business partner processes for Africa's largest life insurance company.
• Ubank | Credit Transformation | Technology Delivery Lead Delivered the Credit Function Gap Analysis report, assessing the transition from current state to future state capabilities, processes, and systems.

Establish and manage a Business and Process Architecture capability

• I was responsible for: Business Modelling CVPs across multiple regulatory jurisdictions.
• Documenting existing and target state operating models of sixteen countries.

Establish and manage a Core Banking team

• Re-evaluate Standard Bank Africa's SAP Banking decision by conducting a comprehensive RFP process.
• Managed the implementation of the selected core banking system.