Michael Nieman’s career journey is a testament to adaptability, continuous learning, and deep technical expertise. He began his professional path in his family’s cotton fabric manufacturing business, where he managed both sales and IT operations. His responsibilities spanned procurement, technical support, and overseeing IT systems, laying the foundation for a career rooted in both technology and business strategy.
Driven by a strong interest in IT, Michael transitioned into various roles across different organisations, gaining hands-on experience in hardware support, desktop and server maintenance, and end-user assistance. Over time, he also built capabilities in marketing, sales, customer relations, and project management, broadening his understanding of how technology intersects with business needs.
In 2004, Michael took his first step into Big Four consulting with EY. Initially brought on to support the helpdesk operations for the Gauteng Online project, his work quickly evolved into a permanent advisory role. During his time at EY, he contributed to a wide range of consulting services, including project management, software development, IT infrastructure consulting, corporate governance, data analytics, and business continuity planning.
Michael joined PwC in 2012 as an Assistant Manager in Business Continuity and IT Disaster Recovery. By early 2013, he was leading the BCM consulting department and was soon promoted to Manager, overseeing project delivery and mentoring a growing team. His leadership skills and subject matter expertise made a significant impact within the firm.
In 2015, Michael took on the role of Senior Manager at KPMG in Johannesburg, where he specialised in BCM and IT disaster recovery. He played a pivotal role in managing major continuity projects and establishing the BCM Competency for the local office, positioning KPMG as a leader in the space.
Shifting from consulting to a practitioner role, Michael joined the FirstRand Group in 2017 as Business Continuity Manager within the FNB unit. There, he led several strategic initiatives focused on compliance and innovation, most notably, a digital transformation project that leveraged data analytics and AI to enhance organisational resilience.
Today, Michael serves as a Business Continuity subject matter expert at NTT DATA, Inc., where he oversees BCM for the company’s global Information Technology business. His work supports NTT DATA’s international operations, ensuring resilience and continuity in a fast-changing digital landscape
With over two decades of diverse experience across industries and functions, Michael Nieman is recognised as a trusted leader in business continuity, IT resilience, and digital strategy.
| ISO22301 Senior Lead Implementer PECB |
|
| Archer Certified Consultant RSA |
|
| Sports Management, Sports Law, Computers Allenby Campus (1995 - 1996) |
|
| Matric Willowridge High School (1989-1993) |
|
Strategic Project Risk Management |
|
|
GenAI Academy: Yellow Belt Level 1 |
|
|
Cybersecurity with Cloud Computing |
|
| Cybersecurity for IT Professionals | |
| IT Security: Key Policies and Resources |
|
SME - Business Continuity & IT Disaster Recovery |
| Management Consultant SwarmTechConsulting Oct 2019 - Jul 2020 |
|
| BCM Manager FirstRand Group Oct 2017 - Sep 2019 |
|
| Senior Manager KPMG South Africa Mar 2015 - Oct 2017 |
|
| Manager PwC South Africa Sep 2013 - Feb 2015 |
|
| Assistant Manager PwC South Africa Sep 2012 - Sep 2013 |
|
| Senior Associate EY Jan 2004 - Sep 2012 |
|
| Technical Support Specialist AVI Limited Jul 2003 - Dec 2003 |
|
| IT Hardware/ Software Support Engineer The Cradun Group Jan 2002 - Jun 2003 |
|
| Factory Manager Transvaal Knitting Works EKA Knitting Mills Jan 2000 - Dec 2002 |
|
| Technical Sales Specialist Incredible Connection Sep 1996 - Oct 1998 |
|
| IT Support Technician Technology Solutions Africa Jan 1995 - Jun 1996 |
| Competency-based Course |
Certification Course | ||