Rikus is a Chartered Accountant CA(SA), Certified Fraud Examiner, and holder of a Master of Commerce in Finance — with over 15 years of executive experience spanning finance, turnaround, and forensic accounting.

He completed his articles at Deloitte and spent a combined decade with the firm across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Boston, and Lagos — concluding as Associate Director before transitioning into executive leadership.

Rikus has held Chief Financial Officer and Financial Director roles for over a decade, before serving as Chief Executive Officer of a regional enterprise with a multi-billion Rand turnover. In that capacity, he led a strategic turnaround and financial transformation that culminated in a successful merger — stabilising the organisation and preserving approximately 600 jobs.

He has worked extensively across South Africa and the broader African continent, leading complex, multi-stakeholder engagements involving lenders, boards, regulators, and shareholders.