By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Fintech investor and former Sanlam executive Jurie Strydom has been appointed to succeed Iain Williamson as Old Mutual CEO, the insurer announced on Friday morning.
Strydom will officially assume the role of CEO on 1 June 2025.
His appointment follows a “rigorous and expedited process” to find a replacement for Williamson, who announced his retirement in February, the board notes.
“The board’s corporate governance and nominations committee considered numerous excellent internal and external candidates, supported by a leading executive search firm.”
Strydom, a qualified actuary and graduate of the University of Cape Town, also holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a chartered financial analyst (CFA) qualification from the CFA Institute in the United States.
The board notes that he brings decades of top management and board experience in financial services and insurance, having served as CEO of Sanlam Life and Savings, Regent Insurance Group, and AlexForbes Life and as executive director at Imperial Holdings.
To ensure a smooth transition of executive authority, and subject to regulatory approvals, Strydom will commence working as CEO designate alongside Williamson until the conclusion of the annual general meeting (AGM) on 30 May 2025.
Williamson will continue as a board director until the conclusion of the AGM and will remain available to advise and support the CEO and board until his retirement on 31 August 2025.
Trevor Manuel, board chair, notes that Strydom ticks all the boxes of the board’s criteria for a suitable candidate
“[He is] an experienced financial services CEO with strategic grip, an exceptional operational track record, and who has led diverse teams, driven successful transformation, and understood financial technology.”
Strydom has demonstrated strategic vision to enhance Old Mutual’s market position and achieve growing profitability.
“He is highly regarded in the industry as a leader who can deliver operational efficiencies, disciplined capital allocation, and continue implementing the financial technology and product innovations,” he adds.
Strydom notes he is honoured to have been named CEO of Old Mutual during an “exciting time’ in the company’s history. He will step down from the board of FSPHub to focus on his new role at Old Mutual.