Digital Transformation & Governance Leader

Transformationthat boardscan trust.

Gustav Heymann is a digital transformation and governance leader. For 25+ years he has shaped digital, data and architecture strategy for the world's most demanding enterprises. His work spans energy, banking, financial services and government.

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Gustav Heymann
Trusted by leading enterprises
25+
Years leading digital & data transformation
8
Industries advised, energy to banking
15
Professional certifications held
70+
Consultants recruited, developed & led
Profile

My work sits where strategy meets delivery. I find the distinctive capabilities that set an organisation apart. Then I build the governance, operating models and data foundations that turn capability into measurable results.

I bring deep experience across management, finance, industrial psychology and information management. I help companies outperform their competitors. My approach pairs continuous improvement, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence with disciplined execution. The outcome is a stronger operating model: better process efficiency, tighter governance and results the board can measure.

Areas of expertise

Strategy & Governance

  • Digital strategy & governance
  • Data strategy & governance
  • Business strategy
  • Digital transformation

Architecture & Data

  • Enterprise architecture
  • Data management
  • Business intelligence
  • Advanced analytics

Delivery & Operating Models

  • Project & agile delivery
  • Intelligent automation & RPA
  • Shared services centres
  • IT service delivery

Intelligence & AI

  • Artificial intelligence
  • AI governance
  • Performance management
  • Business analysis
Selected client work

ADNOC

Abu Dhabi · Energy

Defined the Digital & IT Governance Strategy and Framework for ADNOC Digital. Now leading the Digital Operating Model Evolution Programme and advising on enterprise AI governance.

ARAMCO

Saudi Arabia · Oil & Gas

Led the definition of the enterprise Data Strategy and the Corporate Data Office target operating model. Delivered the governance model, policies and operating handbook.

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Abu Dhabi · Banking

Led the team that developed FAB's Data Governance Strategy and Roadmap.

KAFD

Saudi Arabia · Real Estate

Defined the IT target operating model and the business solutions reference architecture. Also delivered the BI strategy, PMO strategy, service-continuity plan and cloud-migration framework.

Unilever

England · Consumer Goods

Provided enterprise architecture guidance on the global payroll transformation.

Transnet

South Africa · Transport

Digital transformation lead for the Shared Services Centre: intelligent automation, SAP Ariba, SAP Central Finance and SAP Master Data Governance.

“I had the pleasure of working with Gustav for several years. I appreciated his deep expertise in digital transformation including governance and data. His ability to navigate complex engagements and provide insightful recommendations was invaluable. Gustav brings a strategic mindset, coupled with strong leadership and an excellent understanding of leading industry practices.”
Ritesh Guttoo, Partner, EY
Career
Feb 2025 – Present

Digital Transformation & Governance Leader

ADNOC · Abu Dhabi
Sep 2021 – Jan 2024

Associate Director, Digital Business Advisory

EY · Ebene, Mauritius
Aug 2019 – Aug 2021

Data Management & Digital Transformation

EY / Verge Consortium · Johannesburg (contract)
Mar 2004 – Jul 2019

Consulting Director

Fifth Discipline Group · Pretoria
Jan 2001 – Feb 2004

Business Analyst → Enterprise Architect

INSYTE · Pretoria
“He has a unique mix of strategic skills with the ability to see the detail. He has great interpersonal skills and inspires trust in those who work with him.”
Shaun Anderson, Standard Bank Group
Certifications
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), ISACACOBIT 2019 Foundation Certificate, ISACAThe Open Group Certified: TOGAF 9 CertifiedThe Open Group Certified: IT4IT FoundationProject Management Professional (PMP), PMIPMI Certified Professional in Managing AI (PMI-CPMAI)PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)PRINCE2 Practitioner, PeopleCertPRINCE2 Agile Practitioner, PeopleCertITIL 4 Foundation, PeopleCertCGEIT - Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT, ISACAPMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), Scrum.orgCertified Business Architect (CBA), Business Architecture GuildCertified Data Management Professional (CDMP) Associate, DAMA International
Education
AI Programme · University of Oxford2025
MCom, Financial Management2001
BCom (Hons), Human Resource Management2000
BCom (Hons), Management Accounting1999
BCom, Informatics1999
BCom, Financial Accounting1998

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