Old Mutual has officially appointed Jurie Strydom as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2025, following a thorough selection process that highlighted his extensive experience in the financial services sector. Strydom, who is currently an Independent non-executive director on the Old Mutual Board, will succeed Iain Williamson, who has announced his early retirement after more than 30 years with the company.
Williamson, who has served as CEO for the last five years, will retire on August 31, 2025. He has been a significant figure in Old Mutual's history, having joined the company at age 18 after receiving a bursary. His tenure has seen the company navigate numerous challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To ensure a smooth transition, Strydom will begin working closely with Williamson until the conclusion of Old Mutual’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 30, 2025. He will officially take over the CEO role on June 1, while Williamson will remain on the board as a director until the AGM and will continue to provide advisory support until his retirement.
Jurie Strydom, 49, is a qualified actuary and holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. His qualifications are complemented by decades of top management experience in financial services and insurance. He has previously held CEO positions at Sanlam Life and Savings, Regent Insurance Group, and Alexander Forbes Life, and served as an Executive Director at Imperial Holdings.
Old Mutual's chairperson, Trevor Manuel, expressed confidence in Strydom’s capabilities, stating, "As CEO, his well-established network of strategic relationships will continue to benefit Old Mutual." He emphasized that Strydom's strategic vision will be crucial for enhancing the company's market position and achieving profitability.
In addition to his executive roles, Strydom is also a fintech investor and the chair of FSPHub, a client management platform for insurance intermediaries. He acquired a majority stake in FSPHub in 2022. However, he plans to step down from the board of FSPHub to focus on his new responsibilities at Old Mutual.
Williamson's departure marks the end of a significant era for Old Mutual. He has been praised for his leadership during turbulent times. Manuel remarked, "Iain has been a true leader, consistently stepping up to provide calm and firm direction whenever the company faced challenges or while the country was in crisis." Under Williamson's leadership, Old Mutual has evolved into a resilient and innovative company, expanding into new areas of financial services and banking.
Looking ahead, one of Strydom’s main challenges will be overseeing the public launch of OM Bank, a project that has reportedly cost over R3 billion to set up. This venture is part of Old Mutual’s strategy to innovate and enhance its service offerings in the competitive financial landscape.
Strydom expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, "I look forward to working with my colleagues and engaging with the diverse range of partners and stakeholders who work with us to drive strategic implementation, innovation, operational resilience, and financial performance." His appointment comes at a time when Old Mutual is poised for growth and innovation in the financial technology space.
As Strydom prepares to step into his new role, he will be tasked with not only maintaining the company’s strong performance but also pushing forward with new initiatives that align with the evolving needs of customers and the market.
Williamson has also shared his plans for retirement, which include a bike trip in Namibia and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, alongside pursuing a director’s course at INSEAD, France’s renowned business school.
Overall, the transition at Old Mutual reflects a commitment to strategic continuity and innovative leadership as the company aims to strengthen its position in the financial services sector across Africa and beyond.
