SAS, the leader in business analytics software and services, has appointed Adv. Natasha Pramchand as regional director: Legal Counsel for Middle East and Africa (MEA).
In her new role, Natasha, who has more than 19 years’ experience in various legal positions, will be responsible for the legal and contracts administration functions in MEA, and, together with her team, will provide general and specialised legal support to SAS, its regional offices and subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, software licensing, contract review, drafting and negotiations, company secretarial, IP, labour law, regulation, compliance, legal training and risk management.
“As a global enterprise, it’s crucial that SAS stays on top of all legal and regulatory requirements, as they relate to our own and our clients’ businesses. MEA has specific challenges and a diverse legal environment that our business solutions need to comply with. We’re pleased to have Natasha to guide and advise us on these frameworks so that we are in the best position to protect the company, our staff and our clients,” says SAS Southern Africa MD, Desan Naidoo.
“The MEA region has huge growth potential and SAS’s legal team needs to be the governance gatekeepers that supports and enables sustainable growth. The region includes a myriad of cultures and customs, both spoken and unspoken, so it is certainly an exhilarating space to work in as it encourages personal and professional development.”
Natasha holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Natal, as well as a Master of Laws from the University of South Africa and a mini MBA from the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Prior to joining SAS, she was in private practise and served as in-house, legal and chief counsel for EDS, Alcatel, Sasol and Kraft Foods, respectively. She was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 1996, and served as speaker and Master of Ceremonies for the Women in Leadership Conference from 2012 to 2015.