Regional executives

As regional executives, we are the interface between SAICA, its members and its stakeholders. We promote and create a positive awareness of the SAICA-wide strategic initiatives that benefit members, stakeholders and the broader economy and society. We also facilitate valuable member and stakeholder insights, and assist other divisions in empowering members to be business leaders in South Africa and globally.

Christiaan is the regional executive of SAICA for the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. He joined SAICA in 2014 and is based in SAICA’s Cape Town offices.

His wide-ranging bouquet of South African and international experience, gained both in and out of the accounting and related business environments, assist him in his stakeholder- and member-engagement function, enabling him to understand the broader issues from an array of diverse perspectives.

His prior experience can be summarised in three broad areas:

• Corporate financial management, specifically valuations of non-listed entities (SMEs) and related business advisory services (Business Growth Africa, Galileo Capital, SCMB)
• Facilitating and lecturing, mostly on strategy and planning, investment appraisals and forecasting – both at South African university level and internationally on Continuing Professional Development programmes (UCT, UP, Africa, Europe, Middle East)
• Project management – managing various interdisciplinary projects both in South Africa and abroad (SAICA, TNT International [the Netherlands], Africon [Namibia], Deloitte)

Christiaan is also active in the regional business community serving on various panels, including as chairperson of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s audit committee and member of the UCT School of Accounting’s Advisory Board.

He is an alumnus of both Stellenbosch (undergraduate) and UJ (CTA) and did his articles at Deloitte Pretoria.

Naeem Asvat joined SAICA in 2007 as the regional executive for SAICA Eastern Region and is based in Durban.

Prior to joining SAICA, he was a senior manager in the Accounting Advisory Services division at KPMG.

Naeem's experience has been extensive and includes external and internal audit, forensic investigations, tax compliance and tax consulting as well as various other consulting assignments.

He was assigned to KPMG's Manchester office on a short-term assignment in the external audit division which included conversions from UK GAAP to US GAAP. He has also undertaken International Financial Reporting Standards conversions in South Africa and Namibia.

Previously, he was appointed as a curator of a business which was seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (Scorpions) and appointed as CFO for an associate of a listed cellular company. He is currently responsible for all of SAICA's activities in the Eastern Region, which is comprised primarily of KwaZulu-Natal.

Div Lamprecht joined SAICA in 2005 and is the regional executive for the Central Region, which consists of the Free State, Northern Cape and North West. The office is based in Bloemfontein.

Div is a highly motivated, goal-oriented finance executive, whose valuable blend of corporate and Big Four experience, flair for strategic leadership, project management and board level gravitas have underpinned success in his 20-year career as a business leader.

Prior to joining SAICA, Div worked for Absa Consultants & Actuaries for four years, where he managed to win the prestigious “manager of the year” award in 2002. Prior to working for Absa he completed his articles at PwC Bloemfontein, where he focused on a variety of clients in the agricultural, financial services and retail sector.

Bruce's main focus, as SAICA Regional Executive: International Members, is to ensure that the interests of all the International Region members (i.e all members living and working outside South Africa's borders) are safeguarded and optimised. Bruce's experience includes working for organisations in South Africa, Germany and the UK.

During his career, he spent a total of 17 years with three of the Big Four firms, in various roles, including seven years as a financial services partner. Outside the profession, he has had senior level roles (including MD positions) with companies in various sectors (fashion retail, property [sales and lettings management], sports and event management, and import and distribution).

He has also operated as an independent consultant, advising businesses on a range of issues (including performance and profitability improvement, enhancement of internal control and strategy advisory). For nine years he chaired the audit committee of an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in London.