Old Mutual South Africa appoints new CEO

Leading financial savings and investment giant Old Mutual South Africa (OMSA) today announced the appointment of Kuseni Dlamini as Chief Executive Officer to succeed Paul Hanratty. Hanratty was recently appointed as the Chief Executive of the Old Mutual plc Long Term Savings division.

Dlamini (41) is currently the head of Anglo American’s South African operation. He has held this position since July 2008 after gaining valuable management experience within large multi-national organisations, such as Anglo Gold Ashanti and De Beers Consolidated Mines. More recently, between 2005 and2008, he was the Executive Chairman of Richards Bay Coal Terminal Company (RBCT), the single largest export coal terminal in the world.

Commenting o­n the appointment, chairman of Old Mutual Life Assurance Company South Africa (OMLACSA) Professor Andreas van Wyk said, ‘We followed an extensive search process internally and externally. A sub-committee of the Board was responsible for the final recommendation, and Dlamini has been warmly welcomed by the executive management of the Old Mutual Group.’

Taking up his new role o­n 1 September 2009, Dlamini will be based at the company’s head office in Sandton (Johannesburg). In his capacity as the CEO of OMSA, he will report to Hanratty and be accountable for the South African and African operations of Old Mutual.

Dlamini is keen to take o­n this new challenge. ‘I am very excited to join a highly esteemed organisation like Old Mutual during what appears to be an exciting time for the financial services sector in SA and elsewhere in the world. Paul (my predecessor) has done a remarkable job which provides an excellent basisto take Old Mutual to the next level in terms of its brand equity, customer focus and the pursuitof excellence in all aspects of its business,’ he said.

Commenting o­n the appointment, Hanratty said, ‘We are delighted to welcome Kuseni to the Old Mutual Group. He brings wide business experience and fresh strategic and transformation insights. We look forward to benefiting from his leadership of the businesses in South Africa and Africa. We have inherited and grown a fantastic brand in South Africa and as this business goes from strength to strength at home, we are working hard to leverage its capabilities into other markets – to the benefit of our customers, shareholders and South Africa at large.’