Jake Shepherd is the Technical Director at Synthesis. He co-founded Synthesis Software Engineering together with Dr Jack Cohen in 1997, bringing with him a passion for programming that began when he got his first computer, a Commodore Vic20, and taught himself to program first in Basic, and then in assembly language. His current focus is on providing technical direction to the Synthesis team, while managing project deliverables and the direction of the product architecture. Jake is recognised for mentoring Synthesis team members, and developing their skills to enhance the company’s capability. Jake holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Michael Shapiro is the Managing Director of Synthesis. Before joining Synthesis in 2004, Michael held various positions at Internet Solutions, Dimension Data and Miraculum. With a strong interest in the FinTech sector, and how technology and information security is shaping financial services, Michael’s current focus is on leading the strategy, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, and customer satisfaction for Synthesis. Michael holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Darryl Govender is the Head of Cloud Services at Synthesis. Since joining Synthesis in 2014, Darryl has maintained a strong and committed focus to customer delivery while encouraging ownership and accountability within the company. His current focus is on managing a fast growing and competitive business unit that has helped some of the country’s largest financial and retail institutions realise competitive differentiation with cloud computing. He is recognised for growing the internal team and accelerating their expertise in cloud, and has helped Synthesis achieve AWS Premier Consulting Partner status, backed by over 140 employee AWS certifications, five of which he holds personally.

Steyn Basson is the Director of Integration and Products at Synthesis. Since joining Synthesis in 2002 straight out of university, Steyn has gained significant experience in the markets and regulatory reporting spaces, especially as they relate to the integration of multiple diverse platforms. With a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of product development, his current focus is on products related to regulatory reporting, as well as market integration. Steyn is recognised for his ability to drive product strategy to market from start to finish, as well as his ability to troubleshoot complex scenarios. Steyn holds and MSc in Computer Science from the University of Johannesburg.

Tom Wells is the Chief Innovation Officer at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2004, bringing with him experience working in the Simulators and Ground Based Command & Control departments at African Defence Systems. His current focus is on distributed, hyper-scale, AI enabled platform architecture. In 2018, he coined the term “Inference-oriented Architecture (IoA)” and since then, he has been researching and building realtime AI platforms, working closely with technologies such as Kubernetes for large scale container orchestration, Kafka for distributed event streaming, and AWS for elastic infrastructure provisioning. Tom holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Information Systems) from Rhodes University in Grahamstown. For more of his insight, visit his blog: tomwells.org.

Archana Arakkal is a Machine Learning Engineer at Synthesis. She joined Synthesis in June 2018, bringing with her four years of experience in product engineering, cloud research and development and product implementation. Her current focus is on artificial intelligence (AI), AI education and responsibly getting AI systems into production. She is recognised for her AI expertise. She holds a Masters in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and she holds numerous certificates, including in Big Data and AWS.

Jeannette Fevrier is a Senior Software Developer at Synthesis. She joined Synthesis in 2011, bringing with her a wealth of Agile project experience from a diverse range of development projects, including solutions for online banking, trade finance, VAT reclaim, and credit facility systems. Her current focus is on using cutting edge technology to create digital solutions that harness the power of cloud computing. She is recognised for being innovative, and focusing on collaborating closely with clients to ensure that end product adds true business value. Jeannette holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from the University of Greenwich in 2010.

Marais Neethling is Head of Customer Success at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2010, first as a Senior Software Developer, before turning his attention to customer relationship management and business development. Having delivered a number of successful projects in the areas of regulatory reporting and payments, Marais has rekindled an old passion, machine learning, and his current focus is on applying his knowledge and experience to help customers build software that unlocks the optimal human-machine synergies to deliver real value. Marais holds an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria.

Tjaard du Plessis is Head of Digital and Emerging Technology at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2012, bringing with a strong technical background and more than a decade experience in delivering software for large enterprises. His current focus is on levelling up businesses using emerging technology. Tjaard is recognised for his creativity and vision for reinventing the old. He's an agile, lean, and extreme programming evangelist who speaks at conferences and runs innovation workshops to help large enterprises with their digital transformation. Tjaard holds an MSc in Computer Science.

Luke Machowski is a Specialist Product Architect at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2014, bringing with him more than seven years of product development, machine learning, data analytics, and quality assurance experience. His current focus is on disrupting the traditional ways of doing Regulatory Compliance in the field of RegTech. He leads a team helping financial companies comply with reporting regulations, bringing new and novel techniques to a traditionally challenging field, utilising machine learning to reduce the drudgery of compliance, and generally moving the field of RegTech forward with the times. Luke is recognised for his deep analytical abilities, breadth and depth of programming languages, creative solutions to hard problems, his mentorship skills, and dependability in difficult situations. Luke holds an MSc degree in Engineering in the field of Machine Intelligence, and is currently working on his PhD in the field of Nano Version Control.

Elmarie Grant heads up the Synthesis Academy. She joined Synthesis in 2019, bringing with her more than 20 years of professional learning and development, coaching and instructional design experience. Having worked across a variety of industries (including IT, healthcare, marketing and legal services), she holds qualifications in project management, marketing and leadership and is an accredited trainer with the Institute for Leadership and Management (ILM) in London. She obtained her Baccalareus Artium in Psychology, Languages and International Politics from University of Pretoria. Elmarie’s current focus is developing Synthesis’s training offerings to accelerate competence in emerging technologies and create rapid learning experiences for both our employees and our customers.

Aimeé McNamara is the Human Resources Manager at Synthesis. She joined Synthesis in November 2019, bringing with her over 20 years of human resources expertise in the financial services and fintech industries. Her current focus is on organisational development and leading human resources strategy planning, which includes oversight of the talent management framework, performance management, employee engagement, wellness and development, HR operations, leadership, and high-potential coaching, with a strong focus on upholding the culture of Synthesis. She is recognised for her emotional intelligence, people skills, energy and approachable nature.She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand, and an Honours degree in Employee Relations from the University of Johannesburg (formerly RAU). In addition to this, Aimeé has a certificate in Intensive Coaching from Results Coaching Systems. She is a certified Chartered HR Professional with the South African Board of People Practices.

Archana Arakkal is a Machine Learning Engineer at Synthesis. She joined Synthesis in June 2018, bringing with her four years of experience in product engineering, cloud research and development and product implementation. Her current focus is on artificial intelligence (AI), AI education and responsibly getting AI systems into production. She is recognised for her AI expertise. She holds a Masters in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and she holds numerous certificates, including in Big Data and AWS.

Jeannette Fevrier is a Senior Software Developer at Synthesis. She joined Synthesis in 2011, bringing with her a wealth of Agile project experience from a diverse range of development projects, including solutions for online banking, trade finance, VAT reclaim, and credit facility systems. Her current focus is on using cutting edge technology to create digital solutions that harness the power of cloud computing. She is recognised for being innovative, and focusing on collaborating closely with clients to ensure that end product adds true business value. Jeannette holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from the University of Greenwich in 2010.

Marais Neethling is Head of Customer Success at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2010, first as a Senior Software Developer, before turning his attention to customer relationship management and business development. Having delivered a number of successful projects in the areas of regulatory reporting and payments, Marais has rekindled an old passion, machine learning, and his current focus is on applying his knowledge and experience to help customers build software that unlocks the optimal human-machine synergies to deliver real value. Marais holds an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria.

Tjaard du Plessis is Head of Digital and Emerging Technology at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2012, bringing with a strong technical background and more than a decade experience in delivering software for large enterprises. His current focus is on levelling up businesses using emerging technology. Tjaard is recognised for his creativity and vision for reinventing the old. He's an agile, lean, and extreme programming evangelist who speaks at conferences and runs innovation workshops to help large enterprises with their digital transformation. Tjaard holds an MSc in Computer Science.

Luke Machowski is a Specialist Product Architect at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2014, bringing with him more than seven years of product development, machine learning, data analytics, and quality assurance experience. His current focus is on disrupting the traditional ways of doing Regulatory Compliance in the field of RegTech. He leads a team helping financial companies comply with reporting regulations, bringing new and novel techniques to a traditionally challenging field, utilising machine learning to reduce the drudgery of compliance, and generally moving the field of RegTech forward with the times. Luke is recognised for his deep analytical abilities, breadth and depth of programming languages, creative solutions to hard problems, his mentorship skills, and dependability in difficult situations. Luke holds an MSc degree in Engineering in the field of Machine Intelligence, and is currently working on his PhD in the field of Nano Version Control.

Elmarie Grant heads up the Synthesis Academy. She joined Synthesis in 2019, bringing with her more than 20 years of professional learning and development, coaching and instructional design experience. Having worked across a variety of industries (including IT, healthcare, marketing and legal services), she holds qualifications in project management, marketing and leadership and is an accredited trainer with the Institute for Leadership and Management (ILM) in London. She obtained her Baccalareus Artium in Psychology, Languages and International Politics from University of Pretoria. Elmarie’s current focus is developing Synthesis’s training offerings to accelerate competence in emerging technologies and create rapid learning experiences for both our employees and our customers.

Aimeé McNamara is the Human Resources Manager at Synthesis. She joined Synthesis in November 2019, bringing with her over 20 years of human resources expertise in the financial services and fintech industries. Her current focus is on organisational development and leading human resources strategy planning, which includes oversight of the talent management framework, performance management, employee engagement, wellness and development, HR operations, leadership, and high-potential coaching, with a strong focus on upholding the culture of Synthesis. She is recognised for her emotional intelligence, people skills, energy and approachable nature.She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand, and an Honours degree in Employee Relations from the University of Johannesburg (formerly RAU). In addition to this, Aimeé has a certificate in Intensive Coaching from Results Coaching Systems. She is a certified Chartered HR Professional with the South African Board of People Practices.

Darren Bak is the Lead Business Analyst at Synthesis, as well as Head of the Synthesis Academy. He joined Synthesis in 2016, bringing with him a wealth of experience in financial services industry. His current focus is on managing a growing team of exciting Solutionists who support the Synthesis Cloud Consulting, Digital, RegTech, and Training teams. In addition, in his role as head of the Synthesis Academy, Darren aims to share the practical and theoretical skills Synthesis has mastered as a learning organisation with clients. Darren is a Cloud Practitioner and a Cloud Economic Specialist focusing on AWS Cloud Adoption, Culture Transformation, as well as Cloud Operating Model implementation. He is recognised as a thought leader in the industry, and regularly presents at Cloud conferences. Darren holds a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science, with a postgraduate Diploma in Management and a Diploma in Business Analysis.

Gareth Corbishley is the Financial and Commercial Director at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2019, bringing with him international experience in finance, commerce, strategy, operations, risk, external auditing, consulting, mergers and acquisitions, business development, technology, and compliance. In March 2018, he founded the Blockchain Entrepreneurs Club South Africa (BECSA) fulfilling his commitment to technological education, networking, entrepreneurship and social responsibility. Gareth is actively involved in the local blockchain community and believes in the potential the technology has to positively impact the lives of those on the African continent.

Craig Leppan is Head of Business Development at Synthesis. He joined Synthesis in 2018, bringing with him more than 27 years of engineering and technology project experience. Since 2010, Craig has worked in the business development side of consulting and technology companies. His current focus is on sales and marketing enablement for technology companies. Craig holds a BSc in Electronic Engineering and a BSc Computer Science from the University of Natal.

Sue-Ann Huyser is a General Manager at Synthesis. She joined Synthesis as Financial and Operations Manager in 2012, bringing with her more than 20 years of financial accounting, operations management, human resource development, and corporate social responsibility experience. Her current focus is on human capital and employee development, as she believes that happy and well-balanced individuals make for a good company culture and a great working environment. Sue-Ann is recognised for transforming corporate and social responsibility within the ICT sector. In partnership with Afrika Tikkun, the Synthesis Learnership initiative she spearheads has facilitated ICT learnerships, with over 50 students graduating from the programme in the last three years. Sue-Ann holds a Phd in Metaphysics from the College of Universal Awakening accredited by WMA, as well as a diploma in Bookkeeping from Intec College and a certificate in Professional Office Administration and Human Resources from Kumalo Green.