Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Lazaros Karapanagiotidis

Lazaros Karapanagiotidis

Technology-Focused Chief Executive
Pretoria,GP

Summary

Accomplished Digital Transformation Executive with 20+ years of experience driving growth and innovation across global markets. Demonstrated success in leadership roles within top-tier organizations, scale-ups, and startups. Led strategic pivot at IoT.nxt as Group CEO, transitioning from platform to product focus and achieving sustainable growth in IoT and AI solutions. Drove omnichannel digital strategy and refocus for Makro SA, and Massmart (Walmart Africa) for all customer, operational, and commerce systems and ways of work with step-change outcomes. Proven track record in shaping and executing digital strategies utilizing AI, data analytics, and digital platforms to drive business transformation through local and global roles in Accenture, IDC, and within a startup based in South Africa, operating in UK and Germany - notably driving new, fast-growth businesses. Recognized for hands-on leadership in managing change at all levels of organizations, demonstrable understanding of modern and legacy technology, people and process integration and complexity. Collaborating with C-suite executives, boards, and investors to drive sustainable long-term change and deliver tangible results for future success.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
2006
2006
years of post-secondary education

Work History

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

IoT.nxt
12.2023 - Current
  • Defining and executing strategy to pivot business into strategic growth areas, driving operational excellence, maturing sales, product build, and delivery functions, while meeting key client delivery and revenue targets
  • Interim role converted to permanent in September 2024

CHIEF PRODUCT AND MARKETING OFFICER

IoT.nxt
07.2022 - 11.2023
  • Key role in C-suite focused on growth, developing products, defining customer and product value propositions, defining to-market strategy, and driving corporate and product marketing execution
  • Responsible for defining product strategy, design, commercialization, delivery, and ways of work
  • Owner of marketing, PR, communications, and campaigns
  • Driving partnership and go-to-market strategy for IoT and AI products across EMENA region, in partnership with Vodacom and Vodafone, notably in the UK, EU, and Rest of Africa

ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS & PRODUCT EXECUTIVE

Massmart / Walmart Africa
09.2021 - 06.2022
  • Led the transformation of Massmart into an omnichannel business through eCommerce initiatives with over 50% improvements in platform and user experience metrics
  • Spearheaded group-wide eCommerce application consolidation and product strategy to double digit growth
  • Led the launch of mobile commerce strategy via VodaPay SuperApp for Makro and Builders, and the Makro Native Shopping App
  • Ramped up local and offshore delivery capability by 6x (~340 FTE) with Walmart Labs
  • Extended eCommerce capabilities to offer pantry and liquor baskets with unique customer value propositions to drive 30% growth per category
  • Drove Special Projects to improve customer satisfaction by 10% through CSAT, NPS, UX Research, while further improving Search, SEO, and Final Mile experience

OMNICHANNEL DIGITAL EXECUTIVE

Massmart / Walmart Africa
10.2020 - 08.2021
  • Orchestrated transformative and multi-million-dollar cost-saving digital strategies enhancing sales, operations, and back-office systems within the group-wide architecture, spanning SAP, legacy-core, and new digital services
  • Spearheaded digital change across Retail and Wholesale ecosystems, optimizing Customer, Associate, Payments, and Value-Added Services domains for cost savings and heightened customer satisfaction.
  • Drove Marketing and Customer Service digitization, data, system consolidation to achieve multiple process and cost efficiencies
  • Oversaw IT components within a sizable group payment switch transformation initiative.
  • Pioneered chain-specific digital projects such as RPA implementation, mobile applications, and digital wallets

HEAD: DIGITAL

Makro SA (part of Massmart / Walmart Africa)
03.2018 - 10.2020
  • Spearheaded digital strategy and execution, crafting and implementing tactical and operational plans to foster growth and substantially improve in-store operations, customer satisfaction, and product development efficiency
  • Championed a 3-year strategy for omnichannel innovation, data analytics leading to multiple industry-first achievements such as Google Measurement Protocol, Click & Collect services, eCommerce Customer Fulfilment, In-store Process Digitization (Returns, Fulfilment, Stock), a comprehensive Express Checkout programme, and Customer Service digitization through chatbots and online, ecommerce initiatives, et al.
  • Cultivated a culture of innovation and delivery excellence by driving adoption of new technology, UX, and modern work methods, leading local and offshore resource teams within Makro, Massmart, and Walmart India
  • Efficiently managed external vendors and collaborated closely with Massmart and the wider Walmart community to drive technology adoption initiatives

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND ANALYTICS INDUSTRY LEAD

Accenture Africa
02.2017 - 03.2018
  • Shaped and delivered digital transformation strategy and innovation projects in various sectors.
  • Worked with C-level and ministerial level clients on strategy and digital experiences
  • Led digital transformation projects in Telco and Media, Public Sector, and Health
  • Led development and strategy for analytics projects and led strategy and integration of various initiatives

SENIOR STRATEGY CONSULTANT

International data corporation MEA
04.2015 - 11.2016
  • Directed CxO clients on digital business transformation and market expansion through data-driven management consulting, strategy and go-to-market execution
  • Worked with clients including SAP Africa, Huawei Middle East, Accenture West Africa, Vodacom SA, IBM Middle East, Vodafone SA, and more

ASSOCIATE PARTNER

Scientia institut (GMBH)
09.2014 - 10.2016
  • Company Overview: rebranded to
  • Part of Analytics start-up of six individuals originating in Germany
  • Focused on leveraging knowledge and insight by studying the unique phenomena attributable to the organisation between theory, research, analytical insight, operational experience, and strategic views, resulting in practical outputs to operationalise findings, drive change, and continue learning; key clients: Parabis (UK), and a local insurance provider
  • Rebranded to

TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

Accenture SA, UKI, Global
02.2007 - 08.2014
  • Part of a tactical global business development and asset commercialization function to grow Global Borders practice across ASEAN, UKI, APAC driving data analytics, process automation and cloud growing business from $40mn to $200mn over 3 years
  • Various architect, solution, and management consulting roles for large scale transformation programmes
  • Key clients included ABSA, Edcon, Santam, South African Revenue Service, South African Department of Home Affairs, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, UK Border Agency, European Union (DG Taxud), amongst others

Education

Bcom Honours - Informatics, Finance, Accounting

University of Pretoria
12-2006
  • Cum laude, various Academic Awards

Leadership, Digital Strategy, Directorship, Supply

Multiple Sponsored Certificates And Courses, Various

Skills

Organizational management

Accomplishments

  • National Rising Star Award Winner, Retail, Tourism & Hospital Winner, Leaders under 40, 2021
  • TEDx Speaker
  • Makro CEO Citation for Operations Digital Delivery Excellence, 2020
  • Accenture Strategy College Case Winner, 2013
  • Three academic awards, Dean, Faculty, Golden Key Society, 2003 – 2007

Timeline

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - IoT.nxt
12.2023 - Current
CHIEF PRODUCT AND MARKETING OFFICER - IoT.nxt
07.2022 - 11.2023
ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS & PRODUCT EXECUTIVE - Massmart / Walmart Africa
09.2021 - 06.2022
OMNICHANNEL DIGITAL EXECUTIVE - Massmart / Walmart Africa
10.2020 - 08.2021
HEAD: DIGITAL - Makro SA (part of Massmart / Walmart Africa)
03.2018 - 10.2020
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND ANALYTICS INDUSTRY LEAD - Accenture Africa
02.2017 - 03.2018
SENIOR STRATEGY CONSULTANT - International data corporation MEA
04.2015 - 11.2016
ASSOCIATE PARTNER - Scientia institut (GMBH)
09.2014 - 10.2016
TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT - Accenture SA, UKI, Global
02.2007 - 08.2014
University of Pretoria - Bcom Honours, Informatics, Finance, Accounting
Multiple Sponsored Certificates And Courses - , Leadership, Digital Strategy, Directorship, Supply

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Lazaros KarapanagiotidisTechnology-Focused Chief Executive