Ignition Group is a technology solutions provider that was established in Durban, South Africa in 2002. Our company was founded by Sean and Don Bergsma, brothers who had a vision of leveraging technology to provide innovative solutions that would improve the lives of people in South Africa and beyond, and who still head up the business today.
In our early years, we focused on developing software solutions for the telecommunications industry, including customer relationship management (CRM) systems and billing platforms. As we grew, we expanded our offerings to include a wider range of technology solutions, including traditional Business Process Outsourcing, digital marketing, E-Commerce, and logistics.
Today, we are one of the largest technology companies in South Africa, employing over 4,000 people across a range of business units. We have expanded our presence in South Africa with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and internationally, with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Portugal.
One of the key factors behind our success has been our focus on innovation and customer-centricity. We have a strong culture of entrepreneurship, encouraging our employees to think creatively and develop new solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.
In addition, we have a strong commitment to social responsibility, with a range of initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged communities in South Africa. These initiatives include education and skills development programs, as well as community upliftment projects.
At Ignition Group, we continue to be a leading technology solutions provider in South Africa and beyond, with a strong focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and social responsibility. We are committed to continually improving and adapting our solutions to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers and the wider community.
Ignition Group’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sean Bergsma, is a born entrepreneur with a desire to effect change. He has a passion for strategy and creating innovative businesses that are sustainable and scalable, which he brings to Ignition Group and the brands it partners with. Sean is a key driver in the success of the Group, from its inception to its constant innovation — his motivation is rooted in changing tomorrow, with the technology and data available today.
Ignition Group’s Founder and Chief Operations Officer, Donovan Bergsma, is a charismatic and highly focused individual with a strong entrepreneurial flair. Don is output orientated, with an eye on the prize. His diverse and in-depth understanding of technology and its ever-changing environment means he doesn't just work in this field, he lives it.
Nic Williamson plays a key role in driving strategic alignment and operational excellence across Ignition Group. With a background in business intelligence, data analysis and agile methodologies, he works closely with the executive teams across the Group to ensure focus on high-impact initiatives that drive company performance. His expertise in OKRs, business intervention tracking and data-driven decision-making helps optimise performance and encourage continuous improvement. Passionate about culture, efficiency and collaboration, he is committed to working with executive leadership to set ambitious objectives and then help drive the execution to achieve them.
Vicky Koekemoer looks after the people of Ignition. She’s more than a highly experienced Human Capital professional though – she’s a passionate people person who delivers impactful people initiatives that drive tangible business results. With 20 years’ experience in business consulting, coaching and mentoring, performance management and talent management, Vicky has established herself as a trusted partner to organisations looking to optimise their human capital strategies.
Tim Lombard masterfully bridges the worlds of traditional marketing and digital transformation, leveraging his extensive cross-sector marketing experience. At Ignition Group, he crafts intricate brand marketing strategies across its diverse assets and divisions, always with an innovative edge. Beyond strategy, Tim is a skilled leader, adept at unlocking the potential of his team to achieve organizational goals.
Ryan Bayman has consistently and repeatedly demonstrated his ability to successfully drive organisational transformations and implement effective business strategies throughout his extensive international corporate career. Since taking the helm of Ignition CX, he has focused his team on delivering significant results though collaboration and exceptional service to major global brands.
With over 15 years at Ignition Group, Mark's dedication to business development and operational efficiency has propelled him to the role of CCO at Ignition CX. His leadership has been key in forging global partnerships and securing contracts, while he has also been instrumental in developing and pioneering SaaS products. Mark’s dedication to people development, career growth and job creation aligns perfectly with Ignition’s vision of solving our country’s unemployment challenges.
Laren Farquharson has over two decades of global financial leadership experience and is an expert in strategic financial management, governance and corporate finance. He has led financial functions across multiple industries, including manufacturing, FMCG and global logistics, and his expertise spans international markets, mergers and acquisitions. At Ignition, he plays a key role in overseeing our financial and governance framework to ensure sustainable growth and operational excellence. He champions continuous improvement by identifying and implementing key operational innovation.Â
Valde Ferradaz is a dynamic leader with 26 years of global telecom industry experience, excelling in business transformation and driving commercial growth. His track record includes successful turnarounds in mature and emerging markets, startup initiatives, and post-acquisition integrations. Valde's leadership has had a lasting impact on the industry, fostering sustainable high-performance organisations.
Andre Hugo is a seasoned executive with a strong international and local track record who excels in building and scaling companies. His expertise encompasses leadership, business strategy, disruptive technology solutions, innovation, marketing and financial services. Known for exceptional leadership and revenue growth, Andre balances cost containment effectively, while his analytical mindset and lateral thinking are valuable assets in our industry.
Siddeek Rahim is an entrepreneurial innovator with extensive executive and board-level experience in telecommunications, IT and financial services. As part of Ignition Group's leadership team, he oversees retail strategy for our Telco division, including uConnect. He foresees significant growth opportunities for Ignition Telco Retail and is passionate about expanding these businesses into the South African market.
With a profound passion for technology and a relentless drive for innovation, Richard Swart continues to transform the Group’s digital landscape and inspire a culture of success. His history of specialised experience operating in payments, data science and digital landscapes, matched with an unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, has propelled Ignition Group into the future of Digital Transformation and innovative excellence.
Neil Pattrick brings over two decades of media and publishing experience to his role. He steered a successful media enterprise into a leadership position recognised for excellence in the industry before transitioning into the dynamic intersection of media and technology. Neil is acclaimed for his analytical prowess, operational excellence and entrepreneurial mindset. Over the past five years, he has managed diverse businesses, all focused on driving innovation and growth.
We believe in building our society, and by contributing to the growth and upliftment of the communities around us, we see the tangible outcome of our efforts.
We believe in taking responsibility for the health of our communities. These are the communities who provide us with the best talent, and we take pride in ensuring these communities thrive.
