Alewyn Burger
Alewyn Burger | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Banking executive, consultant, visiting professor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | Former chief operating officer at Standard Bank; role in ABSA Bank consolidation |
Alewyn Burger (born 1951) is a prominent South African banking executive and former chief operating officer at Standard Bank. He earned a doctorate in mathematics from the University of South Africa and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1991, a six-week intensive course.
After partially retiring from Standard Bank in 2011, Burger now provides consultancy services to PwC and SAP. Additionally, he holds a position as a visiting professor at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
Academic background and initial career
Burger attained an MSc degree in mathematical statistics from Rand Afrikaans University in 1974, followed by a PhD in the same field from the University of South Africa in 1981. His educational achievements also include completing Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in 1991.
- Harvard Business School, Advanced Management Program, 1991
- University of South Africa, Advanced Executive Program, 1986
- Rand Afrikaans University, MSc, 1974
Role in ABSA Bank consolidation
From 1992 until 1997, Burger was instrumental in orchestrating the merger of the Absa Bank Group, which brought together United Bank, Allied Bank, Volkskas Group, and Sage Group. He spearheaded the consolidation of IT infrastructures into a cohesive system and transitioned the bank’s approach from product-focused divisions to one centered on customer experience.
Past and current directorships
- Frankling (Pty) Ltd (investment firm), 1999-2001
- Absa Bank Group, 1997-1998 – Board member overseeing cards and electronic banking, commercial banking units, ABSA Direct, group operations, e-commerce initiatives, and research & development
- United Building Society, 1979-1991
- Executive Director responsible for operations, research, and technology services within United Group
- General Manager for IT, Research, and Management Services
- Deputy General Manager for IT and Research departments
- Assistant General Manager of IT Division
- Head Office Manager for Applications Programming in IT Division
- Manager of Research Department
- SA Defence Force, 1974-1980 – DISA unit specializing in Statistics and Operations Research
- Standard Bank
Board memberships and advisory roles
- Absa Bank Group
- Commercial Banking Divisional Board
- Corporate Banking Divisional Board
- Financial Services Sector
- Private Banking and Investment Services
- Bankfin
- Cortal Direct
- SA Banking Council (representing ABSA)
- Global Access SA
- Destiny Electronic Commerce (joint venture with Naspers; Chairman)
- Smartec Technologies (joint venture with Franklin; Chairman)
- Payments Association of South Africa (Chairman from 1996 to 1998)
- Transwitch Services and Easypay (joint venture with Pick ‘n Pay; Chairman from 1996 to 1998)
- Visa International Regional Board (representing ABSA)
- MasterCard Regional Board for Middle East and Africa (representing ABSA)
- Maestro Global Board (representing ABSA)
Honors and distinctions
- ICT Industry Leader of the Year, 2005
- South Africa’s IT Personality of the Year, 2003
- Finalist for South African National Boss of the Year Award, 1998
He is married and has three children.