Daniël Kriel was appointed CEO of Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) in 2005 and under his leadership, the company has become one of the leading private client investment managers and stock brokers in South Africa. FAnews spoke to Daniël to find out more about who he is and what drives him.
Armed with a BA (Law) from Stellenbosch University and an LLB from RAU, Daniël worked in employee benefits for six years with ABSA Consultants and Actuaries where he developed South Africa's first retirement and risk cover plan for farm workers, as well as domestic workers. While at ABSA, he also headed the first empowerment initiative in the employee benefits industry.
In 1998, Daniël was headhunted by Sanlam Investment Management where he was responsible for marketing, institutional sales and retail distribution.
Stroke of luck
"I got into the investment industry by luck. After graduating I left for the bright lights of Johannesburg and landed the job at ABSA. In 1998 Hendrik Bester approached me to join Sanlam Asset Management, which was sold to Gensec a week after I joined ! It was a steep learning curve that followed, but it was a privilege to be part thereof."
He became involved with SPI through his position as Marketing Head of the Sanlam Investment Cluster, where he worked closely with SPI from a marketing perspective. "In 2004 I was appointed to the Board of SPI as a non-executive and in February 2005 Johan van der Merwe gave me the opportunity to run SPI."
In touch
Daniël says he likes to get his hands dirty and be in touch with the day-to-day processes of the business. "This is, after all, where it happens and where one leads by example. At a strategic level it is my responsibility to create an environment filled with opportunities for our people within which they can excel and prosper."
In terms of his contribution to the industry, Daniël says he would like to see a focus on the interests of clients. "This implies that we offer them appropriate investment solutions in a completely transparent manner. I would also like to make the world of share portfolios more accessible to the larger part of the population."
Vision for the future
On the company level, his vision is to develop SPI, with the assistance of his team, into the leading private client investment manager and stockbroker in South Africa.
"Our future is entwined with that of South Africa's prosperity. If we can grow the economy and the wealth base to include and benefit a much larger portion of our people, the future is indeed very bright for our industry. This is no easy task, but I believe South Africans are up for the challenge and the tremendous opportunities that are out there."
Success
Daniël says that success is what motivates him. "I believe that we can achieve great success if we make use of every opportunity, but also remember to enjoy it."
The investment industry can be stressful, and Daniël breaks away to his beach cottage at Vleesbaai for a weekend a month to recharge and revitalise himself. "Here we cycle, swim, read and have long lunches with family and friends on the stoep." He also enjoys travel, food, wine and a variety of outdoor activities.
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