Nicola Clague
Technology Director
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Operations and Technology Executive with 20+ years of experience across Financial Services, Retail, and Banking. Extensive leadership across banking operations, payment systems, outsourcing, data governance, and technology strategy. Proven record in transforming complex ecosystems, building high-performing teams, and scaling global capabilities. Known for operational excellence, regulatory alignment, risk management, and digital innovation that enhances customer experience and business value.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Technology Director – Product and Supply Chain
Woolworths Group
11.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Woolworths Group, Australia
- Executive lead for supply chain, automation, product lifecycle, and Salesforce platforms across group operations.
- Directed 55–75 concurrent projects, 700+ tech professionals, and multimillion-dollar technology investment portfolio.
- Oversaw 24/7 operational reliability across systems, with full budget, vendor, and strategic accountability.
- Led implementation of WMS, TMS, GTP, cloud migration, and automated warehouse tech with global partners.
- Championed digital transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, compliance, and scalability.
- Woolworths Group, Australia
General Manager – Smart Stores & Digital Transformation
Woolworths Group
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Company Overview: Woolworths Group, Australia
- Led Smart Store strategy, launching AI, camera vision, and customer-facing digital tools.
- Delivered seamless integration across store tech systems to uplift operations, productivity, and customer NPS.
- Responsible for 'To the Boot' platform and fleet-wide smart rollout aligned with digital innovation roadmap.
- Woolworths Group, Australia
Technology Executive / CIO
Metropolitan Life & 20Twenty Online Bank
01.2001 - 01.2011
- Company Overview: Metropolitan Life & 20Twenty Online Bank, South Africa
- Ran banking operations, technology strategy, and payments platform replacement across retail and card banking.
- Delivered online home and personal loans tech for Standard Chartered Bank.
- Built and decommissioned core insurance systems and managed regulatory tech alignment post-merger with Momentum.
- Implemented KYC/AML, PCI DSS-aligned payment systems, and 24/7 customer-facing platforms.
- Metropolitan Life & 20Twenty Online Bank, South Africa
Education
Bachelor of Business Science (Hons) - Law, Economics and Strategy
University of Cape Town
Postgraduate Diploma in Distributed Commercial Information Systems - undefined
University of Cape Town
Senior Executive Leadership Program - undefined
Woolworths Australia
01.2023 - Current
Executive Leadership - undefined
UCT GSB
Project Management - undefined
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Banking & Payments
- Technology & Cybersecurity
- Data Governance
- Vendor Management & Outsourcing
- Regulatory & Risk
- Digital Transformation
- Customer Operations
Websites
Education And Professional Development
- Bachelor of Business Science (Hons), Law, Economics and Strategy, University of Cape Town
- Postgraduate Diploma, Distributed Commercial Information Systems, University of Cape Town
- Senior Executive Leadership Program, Woolworths Australia, 2023
- SCRUM Master, ITIL v3, Executive Leadership (UCT GSB), Project Management
Relevant Career Experience
- Technology Director – Product and Supply Chain, Woolworths Group, Australia, 11/01/21, Present, Executive lead for supply chain, automation, product lifecycle, and Salesforce platforms across group operations., Directed 55–75 concurrent projects, 700+ tech professionals, and multimillion-dollar technology investment portfolio., Oversaw 24/7 operational reliability across systems, with full budget, vendor, and strategic accountability., Led implementation of WMS, TMS, GTP, cloud migration, and automated warehouse tech with global partners., Championed digital transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, compliance, and scalability.
- General Manager – Smart Stores & Digital Transformation, Woolworths Group, Australia, 01/01/18, 12/31/21, Led Smart Store strategy, launching AI, camera vision, and customer-facing digital tools., Delivered seamless integration across store tech systems to uplift operations, productivity, and customer NPS., Responsible for 'To the Boot' platform and fleet-wide smart rollout aligned with digital innovation roadmap.
- Technology Executive / CIO, Metropolitan Life & 20Twenty Online Bank, South Africa, 01/01/01, 12/31/11, Ran banking operations, technology strategy, and payments platform replacement across retail and card banking., Delivered online home and personal loans tech for Standard Chartered Bank., Built and decommissioned core insurance systems and managed regulatory tech alignment post-merger with Momentum., Implemented KYC/AML, PCI DSS-aligned payment systems, and 24/7 customer-facing platforms.
Timeline
Senior Executive Leadership Program - undefined
Woolworths Australia
01.2023 - Current
Technology Director – Product and Supply Chain
Woolworths Group
11.2021 - Current
General Manager – Smart Stores & Digital Transformation
Woolworths Group
01.2018 - 01.2021
Technology Executive / CIO
Metropolitan Life & 20Twenty Online Bank
01.2001 - 01.2011
Postgraduate Diploma in Distributed Commercial Information Systems - undefined
University of Cape Town
Executive Leadership - undefined
UCT GSB
Project Management - undefined
Bachelor of Business Science (Hons) - Law, Economics and Strategy
University of Cape Town
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