South Africa’s Business Process Outsourcing sector continues to grow as one of the country’s most dynamic engines for globally connected employment. With a strong reputation for service quality, cultural alignment and digital capability, South Africa has become a preferred global delivery destination for organisations in markets such as the UK, Europe and North America.

This growth has been driven not only by strong operators, but by collaboration across industry bodies, technology partners, investors and skills initiatives working together to strengthen the ecosystem.

At Boomerang BPO, Fran Swart, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, plays a key role in helping connect these relationships, linking industry conversations, technology partnerships and sector initiatives that support the continued growth of the BPO industry.

Following her recent attendance at the AGM of Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA), Fran shared her perspective on why stakeholder engagement is becoming an increasingly strategic function within the sector.

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Q: Stakeholder engagement can sometimes sound like a buzzword. What does it truly mean in the context of the BPO industry?

In BPO, stakeholder engagement is not simply about networking, it’s about alignment.

It means building trusted relationships with industry bodies, trade agencies, technology partners, investors and clients so that organisations move in the same strategic direction.

In our sector, policy decisions, skills pipelines, technology innovation and global investment trends all influence how we operate. When companies are actively engaged with the ecosystem, they are better positioned to anticipate change, collaborate on solutions and contribute to the long-term strength of the industry.

True stakeholder engagement is about influence, intelligence and long-term positioning.

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Q: Why is strong stakeholder alignment so critical for a company like Boomerang?

Boomerang operates in a highly competitive global services environment.

Strong stakeholder alignment ensures that we remain visible and connected to the organisations shaping the industry. It helps us anticipate change, strengthen investor and partner confidence, and contribute meaningfully to the broader growth of the sector.

For Boomerang in particular, stakeholder relationships also reinforce the company’s approach to building long-term partnerships with clients, technology providers and industry bodies, rather than purely transactional engagements.

That approach, combining operational delivery with values such as transparency, inclusion and genuine collaboration, is increasingly important in a sector where clients are looking for partners who can grow and evolve with them.

When stakeholders see consistency between those values, our delivery model and our industry engagement, trust grows, and trust is a powerful foundation for lasting partnerships.

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Q: Tell us about your career journey — what experiences prepared you for this role?

My career has largely focused on the intersection between industry, skills development and ecosystem collaboration.

Over the years I’ve worked closely with employers, training providers and industry partners to strengthen employer-led skills pathways and create opportunities for young people to enter the digital economy. That experience reinforced an important lesson: sustainable growth in sectors like BPO happens when businesses, educators, industry bodies and government work in alignment.

I have also had the privilege of being involved in the sector since some of the early international engagements to position South Africa as a global BPO destination — including participation in discussions and visits linked to South Africa House in London as the industry was gaining momentum internationally.

Watching how those early collaborations helped shape the industry was both inspiring and humbling, and it reinforced how powerful coordinated effort can be when organisations work toward a shared vision.

Stakeholder engagement builds on that foundation, helping ensure that companies like Boomerang remain closely connected to the partners, institutions and global conversations shaping the sector today.

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Q: What excites you most about strengthening Boomerang’s stakeholder relationships in 2026?

The BPO sector is entering an exciting new phase.

Artificial intelligence, evolving client expectations and new CX technologies are transforming how organisations deliver services globally. Strengthening stakeholder relationships ensures that Boomerang is not simply adapting to those changes but actively participating in shaping the future of the sector.

I’m particularly excited about:

• Deepening alignment with industry bodies such as BPESA and CapeBPO

• Strengthening technology partnerships with global CX platforms such as Zendesk

• Expanding investor visibility and international relationships

• Amplifying Boomerang’s voice in strategic industry conversations

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Q: What advice would you give to young women entering the BPO space or aspiring to leadership roles?

The BPO sector offers something quite unique: genuine career mobility.

Many leaders in our industry began on the frontline, learning the operational realities of customer experience before progressing into specialist and leadership roles. That journey builds leaders who understand both the human and commercial dimensions of the business.

For young women entering the sector, my advice would be:

Stay curious and keep learning.

The industry is evolving rapidly with AI, analytics and digital CX platforms. Developing both technical understanding and strong people skills will open many opportunities.

Value operational experience.

Understanding how contact centres truly operate, the pace, the people and the challenges, builds credibility that will serve you throughout your career.

Build relationships early.

This is a relationship-driven industry. Mentors, peers and industry networks become incredibly valuable as your career progresses.

And perhaps most importantly, be confident in your voice. The sector is growing rapidly and there is increasing space for thoughtful, capable female leadership.

Authenticity matters. You don’t need to have all the answers on day one. What matters is curiosity, integrity and a genuine willingness to learn from the people around you. The most respected leaders in our industry are those who remain grounded, approachable and true to themselves.

South Africa’s BPO industry has already demonstrated what is possible when opportunity meets capability and the next generation of leaders will play an important role in shaping where it goes next.

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Closing

South Africa’s BPO industry has grown into one of the country’s most significant sources of globally connected employment, supporting more than 180,000 jobs and growing each year.

Companies like Boomerang BPO operate within a broader ecosystem of industry bodies, technology partners, investors and skills initiatives that collectively drive the sector forward.

By strengthening those relationships, leaders like Fran Swart help ensure that collaboration remains at the heart of the industry’s continued success.

At Boomerang BPO, leadership is about partnership, inclusion and impact, and Fran’s appointment signals continued investment in meaningful stakeholder relationships and strong female leadership within South Africa’s growing global services sector.

As the sector continues to evolve, collaboration across industry, technology and talent development will remain essential. We welcome continued engagement with partners across the ecosystem who are committed to strengthening South Africa’s position as a globally competitive BPO destination.