My fascination with computers began in 1984 with a Basics programming book and a friend’s Schneider CPC 464. What started as a hobby soon became a career path when I logged onto the World Wide Web at Edinburgh University in 1994. Seeing a near real-time satellite image of Earth blew me away and pushed me to pursue an MSC in Software Technology after my Economics degree.
Since then, I’ve worked with SAP, IZAZI and EY, mostly in South Africa from 2006 onwards, working on integration, full stack development, and architecture projects. The majority of my engagements have been with banks, which gave me a front-row seat to the unique challenges and opportunities faced in financial services technology.
I lead the Data Engineering Competency and currently run our Data Platform team at a new digital bank. The platform we’re building is based on Data Mesh principles. Technically, the core isn’t too different from a traditional data platform, but what sets it apart is the degree of automation and integration required to enable self-service and computational governance. It’s a challenging but very rewarding project, and one that truly demonstrates Bancon’s ability to deliver next-generation data solutions.
My career has been incredibly broad - I’ve worked on frontend projects, backend, and also mobile development. I love automation and systems integration, and I’ve even written servers in Erlang, Python, and Haskell just for fun. That breadth has given me a strong technical instinct for how and why systems work - or don’t work. It also helps me quickly absorb new technologies and apply them in practical, impactful ways. I think that instinct, combined with a passion for learning, is something that really benefits both Bancon and our clients.
I am focused on three main goals:
1. Build a world-class data team that’s as obsessed with technology and innovation as me!
2. Collaborate across domains to identify opportunities for software products, using open source at the core with proprietary extensions and service offerings.
3. Develop my leadership skills while sharing knowledge with colleagues and clients.
Before joining, I knew I’d be leading the Data Mesh implementation for a new bank, which is a hugely exciting opportunity. I also saw Bancon as a company on a strong growth trajectory and wanted to be part of that journey. On top of that, I already knew many of my colleagues from previous roles - they’re not only extremely talented but also genuinely great people. That made the decision an easy one.
At many companies, ‘People First’ is just a slogan. At Bancon, I’ve experienced it as a reality. If you’re good at what you do, eager to grow, and looking for an environment that is both challenging and rewarding, then Bancon is the right place for you.
Hans’s story is a perfect example of how Bancon combines deep expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver real impact for clients. Our Data Platform capabilities span cloud and on-premise deployment, Lakehouse architectures, real-time and batch pipelines, Data Mesh enablement, self-service data access, embedded governance and compliance, and modular technology stacks.
By leading projects that embed automation, self-service, and computational governance, Hans and the Data Platform team are helping banks and financial institutions unlock the true value of their data - fueling innovation, enabling trusted decision-making, and preparing for a future shaped by advanced analytics and AI.
Want to know more? Get in touch with Hans and the team.
