Q&A with the Past President of the Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa (FIA)
Arnold van der Linde interview with Jacqui Pile, previously senior editor at Financial Mail
During your tenure as President over the past two years, what do you believe has been the FIA’s most significant achievement?
During this period, we managed to successfully merge three different cultures of the IBC, SAFSIA and LUASA into what is now the FIA. Over the past two years, the FIA has matured into an organisation, which is recognised as the authoritative representative of the intermediary industry in South Africa.
We also had to streamline processes, (at one stage there were 26 people on the board!), while ensuring that no group or category of intermediaries was left unattended.
Do you believe the FIA is delivering on its promise to represent members’ interests?
The FIA has played an important role in representing intermediaries at the highest levels on a variety of issues. Since our inception, we have been involved in most pieces of legislation affecting the industry – both with legislators and other industry bodies such as product provider organisations.
Our input in parliament during debates around the Insurance Laws Amendment Act and our participation in various committees, helped influence government’s thinking around how to regulate. We believe our involvement contributed to how the regulator now approaches regulation by including us from the very beginning.
How will your involvement with the FIA change now that your tenure as President is up?
Although I stepped down as President of the FIA in December, I will still be an active member of the board and will stay involved wherever I am needed.
What are the FIA’s main objectives for the next year?
During the past year, the FIA conducted a needs analysis and as a result, we set a series of objectives that we believe need to be achieved. We are in the process of appointing more permanent staff to help us deliver on these deliverables.
The FIA will also continue to focus on key strategic areas including the image of the profession and our sphere of influence, blueprint and structure. Our members can expect to see a number of internal structural changes that will ensure that the FIA is staffed with top talent at senior levels. We recently appointed Manie Booysen as CEO, and together with COO Justus van Pletzen and the 12 member board, the FIA’s management will help serve our members across our four key constituencies, including: short-term insurance; long-term insurance; healthcare; and employee benefits.
What industry changes do you think are in the pipeline?
The insurance industry is going through interesting times and there is more legislation on the cards. After the credit crisis and subsequent recession, the local regulatory environment is likely to take its cue from international trends with an increased focus on transparency, conflict of interest and the protection of the rights of the end-consumer.
The FIA will continue to interact with legislators to make sure that any changes to the laws will see our members and their clients getting the best deal possible.
What have you learnt personally in your role as President of the FIA?
Well, I have to agree with Bill Gates when he says that you haven’t really managed anything until you’ve managed a volunteer organisation. It has come with its challenges, but ultimately we have managed to get the job done.
Any parting thoughts?
After a tumultuous 2009, l’d like to thank everyone who helped make the formation of the FIA a success. From branch and divisional chairs to office bearers – this organisation was built on the hard work of volunteers.
With Seamus Casserly having been appointed the new President for the FIA, I know that the association is in excellent hands and will go from strength to strength. I wish him all the best in his role as President.
Arnold van der Linde
Past President
FIA
