Experience: In 1996, Benjamin co-founded the former Business Connection, a computer reseller focused on Government and parastatals, which subsequently merged with Seattle Solutions in 2001. He served as managing director until the company merged with Comparex Africa in 2004 and he was then appointed deputy chief executive officer. In 2007, he became CEO of Business Connexion.

He is well known within the information technology industry, he has received numerous accolades that include the BITF Black Achiever's Award in 1999, the Information Technology Personality of the Year in 2002, the ICT Legend Award by State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in 2009, and the Top Black Businessman Award at the 9th annual Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards held in March 2010.

In his capacity as the Business Connexion CEO - the highest-ranking executive heading up the entire organisation with just over 6600 employees - he is in charge of leading and driving the overall business strategy with the assistance of his executive committee members.

Memberships: Benjamin is a member of the Black Management Forum, the Electronic Industries Federation of South Africa, the Black Information Technology Forum (BITF) and the Western Cape Investment and Trade Promotion Agency.

Experience: Lawrence has gained vast experience in finance spanning well over 10 years where he held several Group Financial Management positions in the ICT and financial sectors.

His capabilities have allowed him to gain knowledge in the financial analysis of well known leading organisations including AST Group, Standard Bank of SA and Fourie & Botha.

More recent highlights in his career include playing an active role in the process that Business Connexion embarked on with its new and simplified business model and the implementation of a Financial Shared Services model for the group. Lawrence’s current key responsibilities at Business Connexion include company secretarial, finance and commercial-related functions.

He joined Business Connexion in February 2005 as a Group Financial Manager, where he was responsible for key aspects of the business, which include formulating, implementing and communicating the group financial policy; financial management of all internal subsidiaries and group treasury management and preparation of group consolidated annual financial statements. 

Experience: As the group executive of Business Connexion’s UCS businesses, Jane Canny brings to bear her extensive Business and IT management experience which spans several decades. With a career which commenced in Financial Management, Canny has excelled in various IT management and consulting roles, with a specific focus on the Retail Sector. 

Having joined Affinity Logic as a director in April 1999, she has held various executive positions within the UCS organisation, giving her wide exposure to the organisation’s operations and strategy.  

Over the years, Canny has successfully delivered many complex internal and customer projects, while also taking ownership for end-to-end outsource contracts, ensuring common understanding and measurability between service provider and client. This experience and her abilities are considered key attributes as she takes strategic responsibility for the direction of the UCS businesses as an integral component of Business Connexion.  

Canny is known and respected for her personal leadership style, her focus on excellence and dedication to the delivery of superior, cost effective service through effective IT operational and programme management.

Experience:  Henry Smith, Business Connexion’s Group Executive for the Innovation Division has a rich history in the corporate space with expertise in finance, personnel management, statistical analysis, and electronic data management.

His career in financial management started in 1980 when he joined the Department of Correctional Services. Henry’s 12-year tenure at the Correctional Services Department exposed him to a broad scope of financial disciplines on production, supervision and management levels.

In 1985 he was promoted to the post of Senior State Accountant with a corresponding military rank of Captain, and in 1987 as the Regional Financial Manager of the finance department at the head office of the Correctional Services Department, with a rank of major.

In 1992, Henry was appointed Assistant Director at the National Treasury, where he was the project leader on the Transversal Personnel and Salary Administration System (PERSAL) of government, and became the project manager of the same system in 1996 when he was promoted to the position of Deputy Director.

With this background, in 1998 he started what is today known as Q LINK, the largest switch of its kind which processes approximately 23 million transactions per month. His extensive skills, knowledge and experience in this field, coupled with excellent managerial and communication skills have enabled him to excel in terms of operational performance.

In 2007, Henry became Managing Executive of Q LINK at Business Connexion.

One of his recent major achievements was the building and expanding of Q LINK to become the industry standard. This was made possible due to his excellent management skills; the trust his clients put in him, and his ability to provide cost effective and value added services to the industry.

Experience: John has been a leader in the ICT services industry for many years and has gained considerable expertise in deal-making, contract structuring, service management and multi-sourcing arrangements.

He has specialised in ICT outsourcing, managed services and is one of the founders of the Outsourcing Industry in South Africa. John is a widely recognised consultant, coach and mentor, drawing on over three decades of experience in the IT industry.

In his current role as Group Executive: Business Development – Private Sector, John is responsible for developing new business, ensuring collaboration, integration and alignment across the Divisions with a specific focus on the Private Sector. Over the past five years, John has been responsible for ensuring that our Services Division has become the success that it is today. 

Experience: Rodwell joined Business Connexion in 2009 as the Managing Executive responsible for the West Africa Business. He has over 20 years experience in the IT industry and has held numerous leadership positions. He spent over 14 years at Microsoft in numerous leadership positions and has a deep sense and appreciation of doing business outside the borders of South Africa.

Rodwell has been the recipient of sales awards in the South East Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands region as well as the Middle East and Africa Region. His portfolio at Business Connexion includes ALL BCX operations, outside SA which include the International Desk, West Africa, Eastern & Southern Africa, UK and Magreb. In his current position, he is responsible for driving sales, growth strategy and business development for new markets.

His deep sense and appreciation of conducting business outside the borders of South Africa, combined with his experience ensures that Business Connexion continues to succeed in the continent as well as break new boundaries.