JSE-listed financial services group Old Mutual has announced the appointment of Jurie Strydom as its next chief executive officer, succeeding Iain Williamson, who will step down later this year after more than three decades with the group.
Williamson, who has served as CEO since 2019 and has been with Old Mutual for 32 years, announced his intention to step down in January 2025.
The company subsequently undertook a rigorous and accelerated search process to identify his successor.
According to Old Mutual, the board considered a range of high-calibre internal and external candidates and was supported by a leading executive search firm in its evaluation.
Strydom, a seasoned executive in the insurance and financial services sector, was selected to take the reins based on his strong leadership track record and extensive industry experience.
He will assume the role of CEO designate alongside Williamson until the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 30 May 2025, after which he will officially become CEO effective 1 June 2025.
Williamson will continue to serve as a board director until the conclusion of the AGM and will remain available in an advisory capacity to the CEO and board until his formal retirement on 31 August 2025.
A qualified actuary, Strydom holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. He is also a graduate of the University of Cape Town.
Strydom brings decades of senior leadership and board experience, having previously served as CEO of Sanlam Life and Savings, Regent Insurance Group, and Alexander Forbes Life.
