Linda de Beer, non-executive director and corporate governance specialist. Her unwavering commitment to governance excellence and remarkable leadership has earned Professor Linda de Beer CA(SA), non-executive director and corporate governance specialist, SAICA’s prestigious Leadership in Governance Difference Makers award.
It’s not about achievements, but about impact
As a seasoned professional, she has demonstrated exceptional expertise in driving effective governance practices and ensuring organisational integrity throughout her career.
Not only is she qualified as a chartered accountant (SA), but she holds a master’s degree in taxation and a chartered director (SA) designation. She is also An honorary professor in practice at the University of Johannesburg.
She is a role model in the accounting profession for her strategic acumen and ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Her visionary leadership has elevated the standards, inspiring teams to embrace transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making.
Professor de Beer describes her career objective as enhancing the quality of directors, governance, and reporting. ‘Every director that does his or her job well and every company that improves how it is run, add to the credibility of markets, the inflow of investment, and the ultimate upliftment of the community at large,’ she explains.
At the moment she serves on several JSE-listed companies (including Aspen, MMI Holdings, Omnia, Sasfin Holdings and Sasfin Bank) and was previously on the boards of Agri, Royal Bafokeng Platinum and the Hospitality Property Fund). ‘I generally chair audit committees but also serve on various other board committees and have been a lead independent director at one. I am also the chair of Aspen Finance (Pty).’
In addition to serving as an independent non-executive director on boards, Professor de Beer trains and advises boards of directors on corporate governance and reporting.
‘I have also been involved in local and international standard-setting and I was a visiting professor in financial accounting at the University of the Witwatersrand for 10 years and is now linked to the University of Johannesburg as a professor in practice (non-executive).’
She is also currently a member of the Investor Advisory Group of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in the United States, established in terms of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Financial Reporting Investigations Panel of the JSE (chairman), the King Committee on Corporate Governance in South Africa and member of the King IV Task Team, the Issuers’ Regulation Advisory Committee of the JSE, and the Quality Control Assessment Committee of the Auditor-General SA.
She previously served as chairperson of the Consultative Advisory Group of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and was part of the Financial Reporting Standards Council established in terms of the Companies Act and the Committee for Auditing Standards established in terms of the Auditing Profession Act in SA, representing the JSE.
‘I also held the position of financial director and a privately owned, well-established BEE investment holding company and was also the senior executive at Standards at SAICA.’
Professor de Beer’s dedication to promoting sound governance principles has not only enhanced the organisations she has served, but has also set a benchmark for excellence in governance.
‘I feel very honoured and humbled by this Difference Makers award,’ says Professor de Beer. ‘I saw the impressive list of people that were nominated for awards and realised that there are very many professionals that are making huge contributions in different areas.’
She is inspired to continue making a difference in the future. ‘In my view, we should focus on having the impact that we are supposed to have, based on our talents and opportunities. For me, it is not about achievements, but about impact.’
