One of the SA financial services sector’s brightest minds and former head of Deutsche Bank SA, 45 year old Herman Bosman, has been in his new office for just over a month. CEO-designate of RMI (market cap: R45bn) and RMH (R72bn), he was hand-picked for the role by FirstRand’s founding trio GT Ferreira, Laurie Dippenaar … Read more
One of the reasons why Africa has failed to develop a vibrant manufacturing sector and other markers of a modern economy is that far too many of Africa’s best and brightest see a career in politics as the best and even only way to make money, have influence, and exercise power. If the African century … Read more
In order to succeed in the stock markets, you have to be able to assess how news will affect the various companies available for investment. Few are better at accurately analysing South African shares than David Shapiro, deputy chairman of Sasfin Securities. David is, I reckon, at his best when he is dissecting the Johannesburg … Read more
It’s been my privilege to attend each Discovery Leadership Summit, the closest South Africans get to the line-ups we see in Davos. From Nassim Taleb and Rudi Giuliani through to Malcolm Gladwell, Richard Branson and the surprise appearance of our own golden boy Chad le Clos, the event is unmissable. One year I even got to participate in … Read more
Twenty years ago when South Africa emerged from its experiment with Apartheid, the country’s leading business strategist reckoned only SA Breweries deserved the description of World Class. A few more names would be added to a similar list drawn up today, including financial services group Discovery which was just two years old when the democratic … Read more
By Alec Hogg There are a handful of globally competitive South African businesses. SAB Miller was the pioneer. It’s being joined by a growing number of others. After a shaky start Old Mutual is getting into that league. Judging by its success with French retailer Conforama, Steinhoff is also graduating into that elite club. Investec, … Read more
They tend not to show it, but once you get to know them you’ll be surprised at how many of the country’s top executives have deep faith. Some, like Discovery’s Adrian Gore, verge on religiously orthodox. Gore refuses to allow anything to interfere with his Sabbath and makes no secret of that fact. Former Gencor … Read more