Since March 2019, Lillian Barnard is the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft South Africa, the first woman to hold this position since Microsoft reinvested in the country in the early 1990s. She is replaced in this position by Kalane Rampai, who becomes Managing Director of Microsoft SA. “The new appointments are an important milestone in Microsoft’s ongoing effort to drive impact in Africa at scale,” Microsoft noted in a press release.
Microsoft has been present in Africa for more than 30 years and, today, have more than 21,000 partners and 12 offices across the continent. Microsoft also established the Africa Transformation Office, which partners with public and private organizations working across sectors, technologies and borders to foster partnerships and develop solutions that will have a lasting impact.
Lillian Barnard joined Microsoft in May 2017 as Public Sector Manager for South Africa, a position she held for nearly two years. Prior to joining Microsoft, Lilian Barnard was, for two years, Sales Director at Vodacom and worked for IBM for 15 years, including 7 years at the headquarters based in France and Switzerland, where she held many key positions. She also ran LillianB Consulting Services, where she advised and coached business leaders.
Over 25 years of experience in ICT
Lillian Barnard has over 25 years of experience in the information and communication technology industry. Through her various management positions in South Africa and abroad, she has gained extensive knowledge in the areas of sales, operations, business control, strategy, business transformation and leadership. She is known, it is reported, for building strong, high-performing teams that consistently achieve their financial goals, while delivering innovative digital solutions to partners and clients. Having led large teams in South Africa and abroad, it is reported, she is known for her ability to develop staff and create an environment where everyone can perform at their best.
Member of several boards of directors
Barnard has served on the boards of Vodacom South Africa, Mango Airlines and the non-profit organization Dad-fund. She serves on the board of the American Chamber of Commerce and the Gauteng Provincial Government’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Strategy Commission, which consists of the provision of digital services by the province. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Johannesburg’s Institute of Intelligent Systems.
Lilian Barnard holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with honors, in Business Economics from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa).
