Ian Andrews, newly appointed CEO of LexisNexis South Africa

Enhancing The Potential of Africa By Advancing The Rule of Law

By Fiona Wakelin

LexisNexis is a global organisation that specialises in legal tech with flagship products which empower customers, offering intelligent, world class legal research solutions and streamlining workflows. Ian Andrews, the newly appointed CEO speaks to us on the importance of ESG, AI and the rule of law.

Purpose, Values and A Passion For Winning

LexisNexis is a market leader in legal solutions, academic content, workflow solutions and risk and compliance solutions. Priding themselves on the ability to offer tools and resources that allow customers to increase productivity and drive better outcomes within their businesses. This has included generative AI capabilities, the most recent being the revolutionary Lexis+ and Lexis+ AI legal research solutions.

Ian Reflects On The LexisNexis Core Values

• Valuing our people: Purpose starts with our people, and the measure of a company’s success depends on its ability to nurture talent. At LNSA we foster an inclusive and innovative culture where employees are encouraged to think creatively. This not only builds a sense of belonging but drives innovation from within, leading to groundbreaking products like Lexis+, built on innovation and the ability to reimagine the way our customers work. By valuing our people, we create a ripple effect that leads to satisfied customers and a more successful business.

• Boundarylessness: Our greatest innovations come from cross-team, cross-country and cross-industry collaboration. At LexisNexis, we’ve broken down internal silos and fostered partnerships with our global counterparts and industry giants and thought leaders to drive new solutions and ways of work. This approach has been critical in driving innovation and also accelerating business growth. This is where solutions like Lexis+ and Lexis+ AI come in.

• Innovation:  Our focus is always on how we can integrate cutting-edge technology to better serve our customers and this aligns with our business strategy locally and globally. I encourage employees to think creatively and challenge the status quo. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, or blockchain, and how they can be harnessed to drive further advancements in the legal and regulatory domains, aligns with the LexisNexis’ future vision and presents an exciting opportunity to drive the company’s growth.  Flagship products like Lexis+ and CaseLex are an embodiment of our drive to innovate, leveraging the learnings and technologies of our global counterparts to bring world class solutions to the SA Market.

• Customer focus:  We believe that listening to our customers and understanding their pain points is what drives true success. This means valuing regular engagement with clients to stay connected to their needs. By keeping the customer at the centre of everything we do, we not only ensure that we’re meeting their needs but also that we’re building long-term relationships that contribute to sustainable business growth for them and us. I encourage this at this at every level of the organisation.

• Passion for winning: This ensures that we are recognised as the industry leader in the markets that we serve and that we are a partner that our customers can rely on. This year, our contributions to risk and compliance were recognised through numerous accolades. As leaders in the tech space, we were proud to be named finalists in the Africa Tech Week Awards in the categories of Technology Company of the Year and Innovation of the Year. Another significant achievement was LexisNexis South Africa’s recognition as one of South Africa’s Top 500 Best Managed Companies, ranking among the Top 5 in our business sector and earning official accreditation.

These achievements are incredibly significant for us as they highlight LexisNexis’ commitment to transformation, diversity, and inclusivity, aligning with South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) goals. This recognition sets the company apart from competitors, showcasing its leadership in driving both business success and positive societal impact. It also strengthens LexisNexis’ reputation as a responsible corporate citizen, committed to ethical practices and long-term empowerment.

We were awarded the Digital Transformation of the Year Award at the 2024 Oliver Top Empowerment Award, also runner up for   Diversity and Inclusion. These achievements reflected our leadership in leveraging advanced technologies like AI and big data to transform the legal sector and empowerment in the workplace.

We also received Top Employer certification for the second consecutive year, reflecting our commitment to exceptional employee conditions and a positive work culture. This accolade followed a rigorous assessment by the Top Employers Institute and recognised our dedication to diversity, innovation, and employee empowerment.

Enhancing The Potential Of The African Continent By Advancing The Rule Of Law

LexisNexis has global reach, but is also invested in South Africa and increasingly in Africa. The vision of enhancing the potential of the African continent by advancing the rule of law - which results in social and economic change - is something that resonates with me.

After a 5-year tenure as CFO of LexisNexis South Africa, it has been my privilege to now be appointed as CEO. I am commercially focused, with a particular interest in maintaining sustainability for our stakeholders - including our employees, our customers as well as regulatory bodies - and contributing to the economy that we are part of, not only through the products that we provide which uplift and promote the rule of law, but also in our social responsibility and our contribution to the economy from a tax perspective.

For us, particularly in South Africa, that means looking to the African continent as a growth path for our products and for the services that we provide. We do this by staying ahead of technology, innovation and capabilities that are rapidly changing and making sure we’re at the forefront of these changes for the benefit of our customers, and by using these tools internally to make ourselves more productive and more effective.

Attracting And Retaining The Best Talent

We’re very proud that within the LexisNexis group we have been able to source roles in South Africa itself, supporting not just the South African business, but also the global business of LexisNexis - and creating employment in South Africa that didn’t exist before.

We are leading the charge on developing competencies and capabilities in the country, primarily in the technology, customer service and processing spaces where we’ve created just over 300 jobs in the last three years. From a commercial perspective, I believe this speaks to the viability of our company, the viability of the services that we offer, and the great opportunities that South Africa presents for our global counterparts.

What Truly Sets LexisNexis Apart From The Rest Is:

Innovation: Our unwavering commitment to innovation, customer focus, and delivering solutions that truly make a difference. Our ability to blend expertise with cutting-edge technology enables us to stay ahead of industry trends and provide our clients with tools that enhance their efficiency and decision-making.

Our People: Beyond our products, what truly differentiates us is our people. We value our employees’ expertise and passion, and we foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. This allows us to consistently deliver high-quality service to our customers, while also maintaining agility in a rapidly evolving market.

Customer Relations: Our strong customer relationships and deep understanding of their needs also give us a unique edge. We are not just service providers but partners, working alongside our clients to solve real-world challenges. Our diverse product offerings (that leverage technology, AI and automations to transform the way we deliver value to customers) from legal research to compliance and regulatory solutions, ensure that we are a comprehensive support system for businesses across industries.

Global Reach: Our global reach and boundaryless approach allow us to leverage diverse perspectives and expertise from across the organisation, enabling us to develop comprehensive solutions that cater to the diverse needs of customers worldwide. This global mindset, coupled with our deep local knowledge, ensures that we deliver tailored solutions that resonate with our customers in Africa. Ultimately, it’s our blend of innovation, customer-centricity, and the passion of our people that sets us apart.

Looking Forward

Generative AI is one of the next big steps to which one can look forward with trepidation, but also with excitement, particularly regarding the vast capabilities that will be unlocked.

I look forward to our company playing a role in advancing the African continent, improving its contribution on the world stage, providing through advancing the rule of law - more security, more policy certainty, potentially better investment opportunities into Africa, and really seeing the continent thrive and play its part on the world stage.

LexisNexis South Africa, Committed to Advancing The Rule of Law Through Innovation and Technology

Since its inception almost nine decades ago, LexisNexis South Africa has been a global leader in legal technology, consistently developing innovative solutions that enable legal professionals, corporations and governments to navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes. LexisNexis combines advanced technologies, harnessing the power of AI, to enhance the efficiency, productivity and decision-making capabilities of professionals across a range of industries.

From legal risk tools to research and compliance management systems, LexisNexis offers a diverse suite of products engineered to empower users with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed, covering research, risk and compliance, and workflow solutions.

AI-Powered Research Solutions For Legal Professionals

Driven by artificial intelligence and analytics, LexisNexis’ research tools offer solutions which bridge the gap between theory and practice. Designed using global technologies and local insights, Lexis+ is a next-generation legal research platform which combines decades of expertise with cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies. The platform offers legal professionals access to extensive legal databases, case law, statutes and secondary sources, streamlining and enhancing legal research as well as meeting the demands of the changing legal landscape.

Lexis Practical Guidance is an online resource which provides step-by-step guidance, practice notes, checklists and forms tailored to specific legal areas. Each practice area is tailored to meet the specific needs of its target persona, enabling professionals to enhance their workflow, mitigate risks, and deliver high-quality services.

Other innovative research resources are the LexisNexis Academic & Professional Print Suite, which offers an extensive collection of legal, tax and finance resources, including textbooks and reference materials. These suites are invaluable resources - curated by experts - for scholars, students and professionals who want to stay up-to-date with the latest developments.

Mitigating Business Liabilities With Risk and Compliance Solutions

In today’s increasingly regulated environment, effective governance, risk and compliance (GRC) management is vital for businesses to thrive. Tailored for corporations, financial institutions and government agencies, Lexis GRC offers tools and resources for policy management, risk assessment, monitoring and reporting.

This centralised platform enables organisations to maintain robust compliance frameworks, mitigate risks, make more informed decisions to safeguard their operations and improve overall corporate governance.

Third-party risk management is crucial for businesses that rely on vendors and partners. By offering advanced screening tools and customisable risk assessments, Lexis ProcureCheck enables businesses to mitigate third-party risks and protect their reputation. Lexis ProcureCheck is a due diligence solution that provides access to an extensive database of public records, allowing organisations to perform thorough background checks.

Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Efficiency

Property transactions can be time-consuming with little room for errors but Lexis WinDeed and Lexis Convey simplifies and automates the conveyancing process. Designed for conveyancing attorneys, law firms, and property professionals, the solutions offer a centralised platform to manage all aspects of property transfers. From the initial instructions to final registration, these software solutions include advanced features such as document, workflow management, and integration with deeds office systems.

Obtaining rate clearance certificates are necessary step property transactions. Lexis Rates Clearance simplifies the process, ensuring transactions are compliant with local government requirements and helps avoid delays that can arise from missing or delayed rate clearance certificates. For navigating the complex world of estate administration, Lexis Deceased Estates offers a solution designed for attorneys, fiduciary practitioners, and trust companies.

With anti-money laundering (AML) compliance obligations firmly under the regulatory spotlight, Lexis KYC (Know Your Customer) offers organisations a comprehensive customer onboarding solution which assists in building a trusted customer base. Using advanced screening tools, watchlist monitoring, and customisable risk scoring models, Lexis KYC gives organisations access to a vast database of records, equipping them to mitigate financial crimes and comply with regulations.

Who you work with in your organisation is just as important as who you work with outside of the organisation. Hiring the right employees is crucial to the success of any organisation and Lexis RefCheck helps HR professionals, recruiters and managers to find the right people by simplifying the background screening process by providing access to a database of employment records to verify candidates’ work histories, qualifications, and credentials.

Lexis Sign is another workflow solution which can improve operational efficiency and ensure legal compliance. It offers a secure, user-friendly electronic signature solution for organisations of all sizes, replacing physical document handling and manual signatures with an efficient electronic system.

Whether you’re a legal professional seeking efficient research solutions or a business striving to manage compliance risks, LexisNexis offers the tools, resources and expertise needed to succeed in today’s past-paced, technology-driven world.

Find Out More

Visit: www.lexisnexis.co.za

Book a demo: content@lexisnexis.co.za

Shop for industry titles: store.lexisnexis.co.za

Facebook and Linkedin: LexisNexis South Africa

X: @LexisNexisZA