The UK-based Business Continuity Institute (BCI) is set to expand its presence and influence in the region with the appointment of its new regional representative in South Africa.
Louise Theunissen, GM of Consulting Services at ContinuitySA, has been appointed to the position and tasked with furthering the goals of the BCI in South Africa; she is also one of the members of the BCI.
The BCI was established in 1994 to enable individual members to obtain guidance and support from fellow business continuity practitioners. It also plays an important role in promoting standards and quality issues with the view to improving and maintaining a high standard of work in the business continuity market. The BCI currently has over 4 000 members in 85 countries.
Professional membership of the BCI provides internationally recognised status as this valued certification demonstrates the members' competence to carry out business continuity management (BCM) to a consistently high standard.
“The BCI already has a number of fellows, members and associates in South Africa and the appointment of a regional representative will see to it that the goals of the institute are expanded in the country and African region as a whole,” explains Theunissen. “The task of regional representatives globally is to increase BCI awareness and membership in South Africa, and where possible, in Africa.
“The BCI is dedicated to establishing and promoting the use of recognised business continuity best practices and standards globally, raising the profile and effectiveness of BCM professionals.”
In 2007, the institute launched the BCI Partnership, designed to enable organisations to work more closely with it to deliver the overall mission of promoting the art and science of BCM worldwide. The wider role of the BCI and the BCI Partnership is to promote the highest standards of professional competence and commercial ethics in the provision and maintenance of BCM planning and services.
“The BCI has a number of regional forums designed to encourage members and guests to get together to discuss and learn about real-world issues facing BCM practitioners,” adds Theunissen. “Currently, the South African chapter meets on an ad hoc basis, with plans to run more regular educational and networking events in the future.”
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ContinuitySA
ContinuitySA is Africa's leading provider of business continuity consulting and related services. The company boasts some of the continent's most highly skilled and qualified business continuity and disaster management experts, who help companies, organisations and government departments of all sizes prepare for and deal with all eventualities. These include potential threats, events, incidences and unforeseen or sudden disruptions due to human error or natural events.
ContinuitySA operates the largest recovery facilities in southern Africa. It has a number of recovery centres in South Africa with over 20 000 square metres of recovery facilities in Midrand, Gauteng. A smaller site of 3 000 square metres is located in Cape Town. The company has already established a 1 500 square metre site in Gaborone, Botswana, and is in the process of further expanding business into Africa through Mauritius and Mozambique, and also in the Middle East.
ContinuitySA. Our business is keeping you in business.
Additional information about ContinuitySA can be found at http://www.continuitysa.co.za
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