Jurie Strydom has been appointed Old Mutual CEO
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Amid a seeming slew of changes at the top for various companies in the financial services sector, Old Mutual has announced that Jurie Strydom has been appointed Old Mutual CEO and will take up the post in mid-year.
This, it said, “follows a rigorous and expedited process by the Old Mutual Board” after the company said on February 17 that current CEO Iain Williamson would retire as CEO and executive director at the end of August.
Strydom’s appointment follows that of several other changes within the financial services industry. Recently, Absa said its group chairman Sello Moloko will step down from his role in mid-July, with his role set to be filled by René van Wyk.
Following an interim phase during which the company was led by Charles Russon, Absa appointed Kenny Fihla as its new CEO in April. Fihla, set to take over on June 17, had been Standard Bank’s South Africa’s CEO.
Meanwhile, Jason Quinn – also ex-Absa – took over as Nedbank CEO when Mike Brown retired last year. In a statement, Old Mutual, which has a minority stake in Nedbank, said, Strydom (49) is currently an Independent non-executive director on the Old Mutual Board.
“The board was looking for an experienced financial services CEO with strategic grip, an exceptional operational track record, and who had led diverse teams, driven successful transformation, and understood financial technology, and we found someone who ticked these boxes,” said Old Mutual board of directors’ chairman, Trevor Manuel.
Strydom is a qualified actuary and graduate of the University of Cape Town and has an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) from the CFA Institute in the United States. Other ppositions eh has held include as CEO of Sanlam Life and Savings, Regent Insurance Group, Alexander Forbes Life, and he was executive director at Imperial Holdings.
“As CEO, his well-established network of strategic relationships will continue to benefit Old Mutual,” said Manuel. Old Mutual turns 180 this month.
Strydom said he looks “forward to working with my colleagues and engaging with the diverse range of partners and stakeholders who work with us to drive strategic implementation, innovation, operational resilience, and financial performance”.
To ensure a smooth transition, he will begin working closely with Williamson until Old Mutual’s annual general meeting concludes on May 30, and he will officially assume the CEO role the following day. Williamson will remain available to advise and support the CEO and board until his retirement.
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