Edward Kieswetter Council Chairperson of World Customs Organization

Edward re-joined as SARS Commissioner on 1 May 2019. He had formerly served as the founding Group Executive of the SARS Large Business Centre and High Net Worth Unit, SARS Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Commissioner during the period 2004 to 2009. From 2010 to 2016, he was the Group Chief Executive for the Alexander Forbes Group Holdings where after a successful turnaround, the company was listed on the JSE. Edward also held senior executive roles at FirstRand Banking Group and Eskom. Most recently he managed his own investments and served on various boards which amongst others included NE: Transnet, Chair: Technology Innovation Agency and Lead Independent: Shoprite Holdings. Edward’s leadership capability has also been recognized by serving international roles, namely: Vice Chair: African Tax Administration Forum – ATAF, Co-Chair - African Initiative of the OECD, Bureau Member of the OECD Forum on Tax Administration – FTA and recently elected WCO Council Chairperson. Edward’s qualifications include a Master of Commerce in SA & International Tax Law (Cum Laude) from North-West University, an Executive MBA from Henley Business School (UK), a Master of Science in Education from the University of Western Cape, a Honours degree in Mathematics and Science Education, also from the University of Western Cape, as well as a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He serves as a Visiting Professor at the Da Vinci Institute, the North-West University, as well as Free State University, an academic appointment as an Associate in Education at Harvard University, USA and remains involved as a Social Activist in his personal capacity.