Bishen Singh is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive: Finance and Business Systems of the National Research Foundation (NRF). He is responsible for the strategic management and leadership of the following functions:
- Finance
- Governance
- Supply Chain Management
- Knowledge Resources
- Information Communication Technology (ICT)
The portfolio ensures that the organisation has appropriate financial and business systems to meet its mandate in an efficient and effective manner through synergies, shared services and economies of scale to a nationally dispersed suite of business units. As the key custodian of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), he is highly instrumental in ensuring the organisations fiduciary responsibilities are discharged with due care and prudence.
His vast experience in finance and business administration spans across various sectors covering retail, shipping, postal services, banking, technology, nuclear, higher education and research. Bishen’s expansive corporate experience coupled with a strong governance knowledge has endowed him to serve on various key structures within the NRF and on external organisations such as DST/NRF Square Kilometre Array (SA) Steering Committee, Department of Science & Innovation CFO Forum, SKA International Board Finance Sub-Committee, Council member of Durban University of Technology (DUT), Trustee of the DUT Foundation, Board member of TENET, Chairman of the NRF Pension Fund and Bid Adjudication Committees and previously served on the Board of NECSA. In these capacities he plays an active role in various sub-committees.
His qualifications include B.Com (Accounting and Industrial Psychology), B. Com Honors (Accounting) from UNISA, Advanced Credit Diploma and Certified Associate in Banking (CAIB) from the Institute of Bankers, MBA (University of Pretoria) and the International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) from WITS. He has also completed several short courses which has equipped him as a leader and strategist. He is a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD SA) and Institute of Bankers.
