Ruwayda says she is enthusiastic about being at the forefront of change in the audit profession.
Deloitte Africa announced the appointment of its board chair Ruwayda Redfearn as its first female CEO, with effect from 1 June 2022.
In accepting the position, Ruwayda said: “I am honoured to be appointed to this role and excited to be part of yet another first in the history of Deloitte Africa. I am enthused about being in a position to be at the forefront of change in our profession, the services we provide and the clients we serve. I look forward to working with our people and clients to address the increasingly complex challenges society faces – including social inequity, climate change, and economic inequality.”
Ruwayda will be took over from Lwazi Bam, whose term ended in May 2022. “I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Ruwayda. She is passionate about the positive contribution the firm and the profession can play in the upliftment of our continent,” Lwazi said.
Ruwayda Redfearn most recently served as the Chair of the Deloitte Africa Board. She started her career as a Trainee in the Durban office in 1997. After experiencing a New York secondment, she returned to Durban as a manager and was appointed a partner in 2004. She was promoted to lead the Audit Practice of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) region in 2010, serving some of the region’s most prestigious clients. During this time, Ruwayda also chaired the Global Young Partners’ Advisory Council reporting to the global CEO.
Ruwayda was appointed to the Deloitte Southern Africa Board and Remuneration Committee in 2011. In 2012, Ruwayda decided to take up a Chief Financial Officer role at a global commodity trading business for a three-year period, and gained invaluable experience, serving as a Board member on a number of the group’s companies.
She returned to Deloitte in 2015 as the Office Managing Partner for the KZN region and managed the Risk Advisory business for the Eastern Seaboard. Ruwayda was appointed to the Deloitte Africa Board in 2016 and has chaired the firm’s Remuneration Committee as well as serving as a member of the Performance, Reward, Succession & Nominations Committee.
Having spent time both in the profession and in commerce and industry, Ruwayda brings to the role an outsider’s view. She is also known for her ability to form and nurture strong relationships and networks, her strength in a crisis and her ability to make tough, bold decisions. She has proven herself to be a very capable and strong leader.
Ruwayda graduated from University of Natal and is a qualified CA(SA). Ruwayda also serves on the Deloitte Global Board of Directors.
Ms Redfearn is the fourth black CEO at Deloitte.
Source: cfo.co.za / businessafricaonline.com
