In a world where risks often lurk beneath the surface, some leaders see beyond the immediate—they anticipate, prepare, and act before problems arise. For one such individual, Nico Snyman, the turning point came during a pivotal role in law enforcement. Despite improving outcomes, the lingering question persisted: What more could be done to stop the next threat before it surfaced?

This question became a guiding principle. It wasn’t just about doing more—it was about doing better. Nico championed a shift from traditional practices to a risk-based performance model, a move that earned national recognition. Yet, even as his efforts reshaped systems and saved lives, he knew there was still untapped potential to create lasting change.

Years of introspection revealed a calling that went beyond his senior government role. With an MBA and extensive international experience in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), he saw the opportunity to extend his principles of proactivity, ethics, and accountability to organizations across industries. His passion lies in empowering businesses to anticipate risks, engage stakeholders, and implement solutions that withstand complexity and uncertainty.

Nico Snyman’s story is one of relentless commitment—a belief that too much is never enough when it comes to managing risks and upholding ethical leadership. Through his journey, he has redefined what it means to lead with foresight, turning challenges into opportunities and laying the foundation for a legacy of resilience and trust.

Building Resilience Through Governance

For 25 years, Nico Snyman served in the South African Police Service (SAPS), leading in some of the country’s most challenging environments. He resigned with the rank of Brigadier, a senior position within the Government’s Senior Management Structure (SMS), leaving behind a legacy of transformative leadership recognized through awards and media coverage for his innovative contributions to public safety and risk management.

Following his SAPS tenure, Nico was approached by Bouygues International, a leading French conglomerate, to join the senior leadership team for the Gautrain Project—a landmark initiative from 2007 to 2011. As part of South Africa’s Rapid Rail Transport System development for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, this project exposed Nico to international standards, diverse cultures, and complex work environments. It was here that he deepened his expertise in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), playing an integral role in strategic decision-making and company operations.

In 2013, leveraging his extensive government experience, international exposure, and MBA qualification, Nico founded Crest Advisory Africa (CAA). Driven by a vision to provide tailored GRC solutions across various disciplines, the firm embodies his commitment to ethical leadership, proactivity, and innovation.

Under his leadership, the CAA team applies a strategic and integrated approach to Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Their methodology ensures that:

• Company objectives remain the guiding principle of the ERM strategy.
• ERM is seamlessly aligned with the organization’s performance strategy.
• Executive performance agreements are fully integrated into ERM and performance frameworks.
• A robust structure is designed to drive strategy execution through effective risk management.
• Continuous evaluation measures ERM effectiveness against performance outcomes at all organizational levels.

Among the achievements that underscore Nico’s approach is the prestigious National Productivity Institute (NPI) Award, earned twice during his time with SAPS. This recognition was a testament to his ability to create benchmark strategies that other government structures could emulate. Whether in law enforcement or corporate environments, Nico and the CAA team excel in building GRC frameworks from the ground up, ensuring they reflect a deep understanding of organizational goals and the operational landscape.

Crest Advisory Africa is more than a consultancy, it is a partner in building resilience, driving productivity, and achieving sustainable success.

Innovating Security and Risk Management in a World Without Standards

Between 2007 and 2013, the security industry faced a significant challenge: the absence of a globally formalized Security Standard. This gap created a landscape where anyone with a cursory understanding of security could claim expertise, leading to widespread misconceptions about building effective frameworks. For those who understood the complexity of security and risk management, this lack of standardization was a daunting obstacle, especially for groundbreaking projects like the Gautrain.

The Gautrain Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative in South Africa, presented unique challenges. With no historical data to guide implementation and a Concession Agreement (CA) that imposed severe financial penalties—up to 20% of the total operating fee on a month-to-month basis, the stakes were extraordinarily high. Faced with these conditions, the team had to think creatively, sourcing information and developing innovative business models to align with the project’s strategy.

In response, a structured Security and Risk Management Framework was designed, laying the groundwork for what would later closely resemble the International Standard ISO 18788:2015, the Security Operations Management System (SOMS). This framework not only addressed immediate project needs but also anticipated the broader requirements of international best practices, ensuring alignment with global benchmarks.

For Nico Snyman, this period marked a significant chapter in his journey with Corporate Governance and risk management. His career has been dedicated to driving best practices, benchmarking against international standards, and building systems that measure performance while achieving organizational objectives. These principles—rooted in the philosophy that “structure follows strategy”—became the foundation of his work and the ethos of Crest Advisory Africa (CAA).

Nico acknowledges that while business models often fall short of full compliance with international standards, it’s not because those standards are insurmountable. Rather, they require a comprehensive approach to implementation—an approach that demands commitment to structure, precision, and ongoing evaluation.

Through his writings and reflections, Nico shares the lessons learned from his extensive experience in implementing, advising, and auditing GRC frameworks. His real-life exposure provides a rich foundation for educating his audience, offering insights into building stronger companies, better structures, and more capable individuals.

Emerging trends in corporate governance and risk management across Africa reveal a significant shift toward regulatory alignment, technological innovation, and the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices. Nico Snyman and his team at Crest Advisory Africa (CAA) are at the forefront of addressing these trends, offering solutions that align with the evolving needs of African businesses.

Emerging Trends in Corporate Governance and Risk Management in Africa

1. Increased Focus on Regulatory Compliance and ISO Standards

Governments across Africa are strengthening regulations on corporate governance, data protection, and financial accountability. Businesses are now expected to comply with international standards such as ISO 31000 (Risk Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security), and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity).

CAA’s Positioning:
CAA, in partnership with PECB, is a trusted leader in ISO certification training, auditing, and consulting. By guiding organizations through the implementation of these standards, the CAA team ensures African companies achieve compliance with both local and global regulations.

2. Adoption of Digital Risk Management Solutions

The increasing need for efficiency and the rise of cybersecurity threats are driving organizations to digitize their Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Audit (GRC-A) functions. Businesses are embracing real-time risk monitoring and automation to stay ahead.

CAA’s Positioning through ISOLTX:
CAA has developed ISOLTX, a powerful GRC-A platform with 12 integrated modules covering risk management (ERMS), audit (AUDIT), compliance (CMS), and business continuity (BCMS). Designed to be affordable and scalable, ISOLTX offers African businesses a comprehensive solution to modernize their risk management processes.

3. ESG Reporting and Sustainable Business Practices

With growing pressure from investors, governments, and global institutions, African companies are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and transparent ESG reporting. This is particularly critical in sectors like mining, energy, and agriculture.

CAA’s Positioning:
The team at CAA specializes in embedding ESG considerations into organizational risk frameworks. By facilitating sustainability audits and aligning businesses with global ESG standards, CAA empowers organizations to demonstrate their commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.

4. Resilience and Business Continuity in a Volatile Environment

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, and climate-related risks have underscored the need for robust business continuity planning (BCP). African companies are seeking strategies to prepare for disruptions and maintain operations.

CAA’s Positioning:
With the Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) module in ISOLTX and ISO 22301 consulting expertise, CAA helps organizations develop strong BCP frameworks. These solutions enable businesses to navigate crises with confidence and sustain their operations.

5. Risk Culture and Leadership Accountability

There is a growing demand for risk-aware cultures and accountability at the leadership level. Boards and senior executives are now expected to lead by example and prioritize governance in decision-making.

CAA’s Positioning:
CAA provides corporate governance training programs and ISO 31000-aligned risk management frameworks. By equipping boards and executives with the tools and knowledge to embed a risk-focused culture, CAA fosters accountability and ethical leadership.

6. Franchise Model to Support Local Empowerment

The push for local expertise in governance and risk management is fueling demand for accessible solutions. Empowering local consultants to implement change within their communities is a rising trend across the continent.

CAA’s Positioning:
CAA’s innovative franchise model builds a network of local consultants, enabling the team to extend its reach and empower professionals across Africa. This approach ensures that world-class governance and risk solutions are available at the community level.

Lessons from Policing to Corporate Governance

1. Proactive Risk Management

Corporate governance can adopt similar approaches to identify and mitigate risks before they escalate.

Example: At Meadowlands SAPS, Nico successfully implemented a risk-based policing model that combined community engagement. This innovative approach mirrors enterprise-wide risk management (ERM) principles, making it directly applicable to corporate governance.

2. Incident Management and Crisis Response

Policing excels in managing incidents and crises using structured protocols, a strength that businesses can replicate to handle cybersecurity breaches, fraud, and operational disruptions.

Example: During his leadership at Bombela Operating Company, Nico played a pivotal role in implementing information incident management practices aligned with ISO 27035. This structured response system exemplifies how both sectors can benefit from clear and efficient crisis management frameworks.

3. Ethical Leadership and Integrity

The emphasis on ethical leadership in policing aligns with corporate governance’s focus on integrity and transparency. Mechanisms such as integrity hotlines, anti-bribery policies, and whistleblowing systems play key roles in fostering trust in both sectors.

Example: While serving at Bombela Civil Joint Venture, Nico introduced anti-bribery management systems (ISO 37001) and independent whistleblowing hotlines. These practices strengthened transparency and ethical decision-making, showcasing their relevance to corporate governance.

Lessons from Corporate Governance to Policing

1. Structured Compliance Frameworks

Corporate governance frameworks, such as ISO standards, offer valuable tools for enhancing compliance and accountability in law enforcement. By adopting these structured approaches, policing agencies can align with global best practices of the global.

Example: Nico’s implementation of ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 31000 (Risk Management) in various roles demonstrates how governance principles can improve the efficiency and accountability of policing operations.

2. Performance Management and Accountability

Corporate governance relies on performance metrics and accountability frameworks to drive success. These principles can help policing agencies measure outcomes, conduct audits, and enhance transparency.

Example: At Meadowlands SAPS, Nico introduced risk-based performance management processes that earned national recognition. These practices illustrate how accountability and performance tracking can transform operations in both fields.

3. Digital Transformation and Data Governance

The corporate world’s increasing reliance on digital risk management systems can inform policing agencies’ adoption of tools to improve data governance, compliance tracking, and incident reporting.

Example: CAA’s development of ISOLTX, a comprehensive GRC-A platform, demonstrates the potential of digital solutions in enhancing risk management and accountability. The lessons learned from ISOLTX can be applied to both corporate governance and policing to improve decision-making and operational effectiveness.

By bridging the principles of policing and corporate governance, Nico Snyman and the CAA team showcase how shared strategies can enhance risk management, ethical leadership, and operational efficiency in both fields. This cross-sector perspective enables CAA to deliver comprehensive, innovative solutions tailored to the evolving needs of their clients.