New CEO at Hollard

Hollard has a new CEO at the helm from July 1 2007.

Nic Kohler taking over from former CEO, Paolo Cavalieri, comes as no surprise as Kohler has been a member of the companys senior management for 10 years and has an intimate knowledge of the business and partnership philosophy.

Cavalieri is moving on to Etana as executive shareholder.  Etana is the Hollard Groups new commercial insurance company which is 50.1% black controlled.

An actuary by training, Kohler has been in the insurance industry for 16 years and joined Hollard in 1997 as General Manager of Hollard Life.  In 1999 he was appointed Director of Hollards short-term and life companies and has played a significant role in establishing Hollard in these markets.  Kohler has been involved in many of Hollards successful and innovative partnerships including those with retail giant Edcon, and Kaizer Chiefs and PEP stores.

Kohler's most recent successes include the ground-up establishment of Hollard's operation in India, a recent highlight of Hollard's expansion programme.  The companys global reach extends to Australia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia, with a representative office in China and a newly established partnership in Nigeria.   

He was a Convenor of the Life Officers Association and Financial Sector Charter (FSC) Access Committee and assisted in setting access standards for the FSC.  

According to Hollard chairman Patrick Enthoven "There is no finer choice for a new CEO for Hollard. He is well equipped to navigate innovative courses ahead. Paolo and Nic have worked in tandem for the last 6 months to ensure a smooth transition.  I am confident that as new challenges face the insurance industry as a whole, Nic brings unique skills and futuristic thinking that will benefit the company as it moves into new territories.

"For the past eight years Paolo has confidently brought Hollard to the industry leadership position it holds today, and he remains in the family with our new Etana venture."