Chief Risk Officer at Sanlam Group

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management & Governance

• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the unit’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework, with a focus on Credit, Market, and Liquidity risks, and non-financial risks such as operational risk.
• Establish and maintain a robust risk governance structure aligned with group-wide policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Continually review risk appetite metrics used across the business, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and aligned with overall Group risk metrics.
• Oversee the design and execution of risk identification, assessment, monitoring, and reporting processes.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior management and the SFM Executive Committee on risk exposures and mitigation strategies.
• Engage with regulatory bodies, rating agencies, and internal stakeholders to communicate the business’ capital and risk management strategies.

Asset Liability Management (ALM)

• Understand the risks arising from the ALM activities and set appetite within which these are to be managed, balancing considerations of risk exposure with practical implementation
• Oversee the management of interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and currency exposure to support the group’s financial objectives and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Actuarial, Trading and Investment teams, Group Balance Sheet Management and finance teams to ensure alignment of ALM strategies with overall business goals.

Key Responsibilities Continues

Balance Sheet Optimization & Structuring

• Collaborate with the Products and Structuring teams in assessing the risks in initiatives to optimize the Groups capital structure, liquidity, and funding strategies, ensuring optimal deployment of capital resources.
• Evaluate and assist in implementing innovative financial structuring solutions to support business growth, improve capital efficiency, and enhance shareholder value.
• Oversee the development of stress testing, scenario analysis, and contingency planning to assess potential impacts on the balance sheet.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide thought leadership on emerging risks, market developments, and regulatory changes affecting the business unit.
• Foster a risk-aware culture across the organization, promoting collaboration and alignment between risk, finance, and business teams.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing risk management team, ensuring continuous development and succession planning.

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Risk Management, or a related field. Master’s degree or professional qualifications (e.g., CFA, FRM, PRM) highly desirable.
• 10+ years of experience in risk management, asset liability management, or capital management within the financial services or insurance industry.
• Proven track record of leadership in managing complex financial risks and optimizing balance sheets in a global, regulated environment.
• Deep knowledge of IFRS 17, Solvency II, Basel III, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in financial modelling, scenario analysis, and stress testing.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior executives and Board members.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving organizational change.

Knowledge and Skills

• Risk Management in Financial Services environment
• Familiarity with Financial Markets products and risks bourne by these
• Policy and strategy development and implementation