Astute appoints new chairperson and directors

Peter Dempsey

Prem Govender

Astute, the company that provides data integration services to the South African financial services industry, has announced changes to its Board, and the appointment of Peter Dempsey as its new chairperson.

Mr Dempsey, Deputy CEO of the Association of Savings and Investment SA (Asisa), has served on the Astute Board as a director since October 2008. He replaces Riaan Dreyer who has stepped down due to other responsibilities.

Andrew Warren from Liberty Group has taken over Riaan Dreyer’s director’s responsibilities, while Prem Govender has also been appointed to the Astute Board as an independent non-executive director.

Mr Warren, BSc (Hons), CFA, FASSA, is divisional director responsible for marketing for the Retail South Africa business of Liberty Group. His portfolio includes segmentation, segment strategies, customer value propositions, advertising and promotions and communication.

After completing his honours degree in actuarial science Mr Warren worked for Old Mutual, initially in employee benefits as an actuarial assistant. Upon qualifying as an actuary in 1998 he transferred to the newly formed Old Mutual Investment Services division as product development actuary for the Galaxy LISP range.

In 1998 he joined at Swiss Re Southern Africa in the product team focusing on non-traditional and financial reinsurance, and in 2001 Mr Warren co-founded Quindiem Consulting, a specialist actuarial consulting firm. In 2004 he was appointed MD of the business, responsible for driving strategy and operational improvement. In 2008 he left Quindiem to join Liberty Group

Ms Govender received her Certificate of Competency in Financial Planning from the University of the Orange Free State in 1990. She went on to earn a BComm in accounting from Unisa in 1996 and an MComm from University of KwaZulu Natal in 2004. The following year, Ms Govender achieved the Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State.

She has been a director of Mosswick Investments since 1988 where her responsibilities include managing professional and support staff in the accounting and tax department, as well as overseeing a small group of clients whose financial plans she monitors and with whom she regularly meets face to face.

Ms Govender is a member of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa and she holds the CFP designation. She is also a member of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants.

Astute’s Managing Director, Biddie Biddulph commented: “It is a great pleasure to announce the appointment of our new chairperson, and directors. Peter Dempsey has played a leading role in South African financial services over many years and, having also served on the Astute Board for some time, his council will be invaluable in guiding the business through these challenging times.

“Similarly, the skills and knowledge contributed by Andrew Warren and Prem Governder will stand us in good stead as Astute looks to continue building its business.”