Update to Members and Stakeholders

It gives me great pleasure to share that the Board has confirmed the appointment of Ms Tia Van Der Sandt as the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), with effect from 1 June 2025.

Ms Van Der Sandt has served as Acting Chief Executive since November 2024. Her appointment follows a formal and considered process by the Board, informed by the stability, strategic clarity, and governance focus she has demonstrated during her time in the acting role.

She assumed this leadership position at a time of significant institutional challenge. As members may recall, the Institute was undergoing a formal disciplinary process involving the former Chief Executive and Chief Operations Executive and several senior staff members, following serious allegations of governance breaches. While this process has since reached its conclusion, it demanded sustained focus and responsible oversight. Throughout, Ms Van Der Sandt provided steady guidance, upheld operational continuity, and remained firmly committed to preserving the Institute’s mandate and delivering value to its members.

Before joining the Institute in an executive capacity, Ms Van Der Sandt served as a member and subsequently the chair of SAIPA’s Risk and Compliance Committee, where she made significant contributions in the areas of governance, risk oversight, and strategic development. This prior involvement provided her with a deep understanding of the Institute’s operational context and long-term priorities.

Her professional background includes more than 30 years of experience across IT governance, auditing, telecommunications, and financial services. She has held senior executive positions, including Head of Finance at Telkom Business Mobile and Chief Executive Officer of Equity Assure. She is also an experienced board member and has served on several boards.

Ms Van Der Sandt holds a Master of Business Administration from the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, as well as qualifications in auditing, finance, and information technology from the University of South Africa. She is a certified member of ISACA and a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA).

During her tenure as Acting Chief Executive, the Board approved a new organisational strategy that reflects a bold and forward-looking vision for SAIPA. Its implementation marks the next chapter in the Institute’s evolution, one that is grounded in good governance, driven by strategic intent, and shaped by the needs of a modern profession.

Her appointment signals the beginning of a new era for SAIPA. It presents an opportunity to reaffirm the Institute’s commitment to good governance, professional excellence, and the advancement of the accountancy profession. The Board is confident that Ms Van Der Sandt’s leadership will guide SAIPA into a future defined by integrity, innovation, and meaningful impact.

I wish to thank my fellow Board members for their support throughout this process, and to express my sincere appreciation to our members, staff, and stakeholders for the trust they have continued to place in SAIPA. Your confidence in the Institute’s direction has been a vital source of strength and continuity during this time. We look forward to walking this next chapter together with renewed purpose and shared commitment.

On behalf of the Board, I ask that you join me in congratulating Ms Van Der Sandt as she steps into this important role.

Warm regards

Prem Govender
Chairperson of the Board

South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)