Career Biography

I am currently the Country Head of Legal & Company Secretary at Novartis South Africa, where I partner with the business to enable strategy and growth while maintaining strong governance, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance. In this role, I take a practical, solutions-driven approach to managing complex legal and risk matters, helping the organisation achieve its objectives in a compliant, sustainable, and forward-looking way.

Recently, my scope has expanded to include work within the Global Legal Trade Sanctions function. In this capacity, I support on a range of trade sanctions and export controls matters, with a particular focus on META markets and key corporate topics such as banking, bond issuances, and insurance. This broader remit has strengthened my exposure to cross-border legal risk and reinforced my ability to support the business on issues that sit at the intersection of regulation, operational delivery, and global compliance expectations.

Prior to joining Novartis, I served as Head of Legal for Sandoz, where I led legal support across a dynamic operating environment and provided trusted counsel on a wide range of commercial and regulatory issues. This experience deepened my understanding of the pharmaceutical sector and further developed my ability to align legal strategy with business priorities, particularly in environments that demand agility, rigorous oversight, and effective stakeholder collaboration.

Across my roles, I have built a track record of translating legal complexity into clear, actionable guidance and enabling innovative approaches that support long-term business performance.

Before entering the pharmaceutical industry, I gained valuable experience across diverse industries including banking and audit. Working in these sectors sharpened my commercial acumen and strengthened my ability to manage risk in highly regulated contexts, while also shaping a leadership style grounded in robust governance and accountability, balanced with an appreciation for operational realities.

I am a graduate of Wits University and an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. I have further strengthened my specialist expertise through postgraduate qualifications in Competition Law and Privacy Law from Wits University, disciplines that are increasingly critical in today’s evolving regulatory landscape and support my ability to advise confidently on competition-sensitive matters, responsible data stewardship, and effective information governance.

I am deeply passionate about equitable access to healthcare and the role that responsible innovation and strong compliance play in expanding access and improving outcomes. This purpose anchors my approach to leadership and informs how I collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to develop solutions that are both impactful and principled.

Beyond my formal responsibilities, I am actively involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives, with a particular focus on raising awareness of neurodiversity and supporting a workplace culture where people can contribute and thrive authentically. I am committed to fostering inclusive environments that value different perspectives, encourage openness, and strengthen organisational performance through belonging and respect.