Sanlam Investments, the cluster of investment businesses within the Sanlam group, has announced that three of its senior leaders - Anet Ahern, Nersan Naidoo and Steve Mills - will be moving to new roles within the investments cluster. The changes are aimed at delivering more value both to clients and investment teams.
Effective April 1, Ahern will move from Sanlam Multi Manager International (SMMI), where she held the position of CEO, to join the senior leadership team at SIM Global. Sanlam Investments CEO Johan van der Merwe says that prior to joining SMMI in 2005, Anet had been actively involved in the markets for 23 years. “This move will see her return to her first love, hands-on portfolio management. She will work closely with Kokkie Kooyman, with her primary focus being to lead the research effort for the Best Ideas Fund.
“During her highly successful tenure at SMMI, Anet integrated the Coris business which we acquired; built a strong and dynamic team that has significant diversity, expertise and talent; introduced more formal and rigorous systems and processes; absorbed the employee benefits products and diversified the income stream of the business by establishing and growing the implemented consulting initiative,” said Van der Merwe.
Nersan Naidoo will succeed Ahern as CEO of SMMI on April 1, 2009. Van der Merwe said, “We are confident his diverse experience and unquestionable commitment to Sanlam and SMMI will ensure Nersan truly excels in this new leadership position.”
Naidoo was a founding member of SMMI in 2002 and he has played an instrumental role in building the business to its current position of second largest multi manager in South Africa. Naidoo has gained extensive experience in all aspects of the local and offshore operation having held the positions of head of research and executive director of the London operation.
“This appointment is especially exciting for us because Naidoo joined our Fast Trackers programme in 2004 and has also been through our Leading Edge programme which is aimed at developing future senior leaders from within Sanlam Investments. He has provided us with firsthand proof of the effectiveness of these internal leadership programmes,” said Van der Merwe.
Finally, Steve Mills joined Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) as a portfolio manager in its Cape Town office and member of its investment committee on March 1. Mills previously held the position of head of Sanlam Investment Management’s (SIM) absolute returns team. In his new role, Mills will take responsibility for managing the portfolios of a selected group of high net worth clients.
With a career in investments spanning 21 years, Mills is very well known in the South African investment industry and is a regular media commentator. During his career, Mills has made his mark at leading investment companies such as Investec, Norwich, Old Mutual and Brait Asset Management. Asset allocation, alternative investments, absolute return funds and portfolio strategy are among his many areas of expertise.
Van der Merwe said, “Since the appointment of Alwyn van der Merwe as director of investments two years ago, SPI has carefully built up a highly talented investment team, as is reflected in the business’s investment performance figures. Steve’s experience and market insight will bolster the capabilities of the SPI team even further.”
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