Annual retirement benefits conference
In a world where change is the only constant, things quickly become a blur.
Our fifth annual Through the noise retirement benefits conference took place on 16 and 17 September 2025, bringing together industry experts to explore the future of retirement. Renowned thought leaders shared insights and tools for navigating the latest developments shaping the industry. This year, the discussions included harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for improved access to retirement savings, the evolution of regulation and its impact, the role of behavioural patterns in fostering confident decision-making and more.
Watch recordings of the 2025 sessions on our Event Hub.
You can also read some event-related insights on our insights page, listen to a special episode of The Allan Gray Podcast with conference keynote speaker Thomas Curran and browse the 2025 agenda below.
Day 1
Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Browse the 2025 agenda for more information and direct links to the recorded sessions and insights.
09:00
Opening and housekeeping
Nompumelelo Siziba
Business journalist and news anchor, SABC
09:05
Welcome
Shaheed Mohamed
Head: Group Savings and Investments, Allan Gray
09:10
Keynote address
Bridging the gap: Tech- and AI-driven expansion of pension access
More than half of the world's population owns smartphones and new, innovative apps are popping up daily. What can the proliferation of tech solutions in emerging markets teach the developed world about casting a wider net to increase coverage and communication with participants? Uche Enemchukwu explored how mobile technology, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) can provide pragmatic solutions for delivering pensions to more people. She presented two developing market cases, showcasing exceptional examples of the implementation of tech solutions and the potential for scaling in similar markets, such as South Africa.
- Watch a full recording of the keynote address
Nompumelelo Siziba
Business journalist and news anchor, SABC
Uche Enemchukwu
Chief executive officer, Nelu Diversified Solutions
10:10
Tea break
10:25
Panel discussion
Geopolitics in flux: The impact of fast, constant changes on South African markets
In recent years, South African markets have been significantly influenced by global geopolitical shifts. Global conflicts, heightened US-China tensions and trade tussles stemming from the Trump administration's tariff policies have all contributed to increased market volatility and economic uncertainty. This discussion explored how these geopolitical developments have been reshaping South Africa's economic landscape, affecting trade, investment and market stability. Our panel of economists delved into the implications of these changes, focusing on the challenges and opportunities they present for businesses and investors in the country.
- Watch a full recording of the geopolitics panel
- Read insights from the geopolitics discussion
Nompumelelo Siziba
Business journalist and news anchor, SABC
Thalia Petousis
Portfolio manager, Allan Gray
Isaah Mhlanga
Chief economist and head of Global Market Research, RMB
11:10
Panel discussion
Group risk: Where are we today and where to next?
The group risk insurance landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, influenced by both global events and local developments. This panel explored these changes, looking into evolving claims experiences and benefit options. The experts discussed where the industry is headed in light of ongoing advancements.
- Watch a full recording of the group risk panel
- Read insights from the group risk discussion
Ielyaas Gamiet
Manager in Group Savings and Investments, Allan Gray
San-Marié Crause
Managing executive: Group Risk, Sanlam Corporate
Rudi van Rooyen
Executive head of Actuarial, Hollard Insurance
Brice Salence Nunes
Head of Customer Proposition: Group Assurance Products, Old Mutual Limited
11:55
Close of Day 1
Day 2
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
09:00
Opening and welcome
Nompumelelo Siziba
Business journalist and news anchor, SABC
09:05
Panel discussion
How the retirement regulatory landscape is changing
The South African retirement market has undergone significant transformations in recent years, driven by major regulatory changes. Key developments include the introduction of default regulations, the harmonisation of retirement funds and the implementation of the two-pot system in 2024. This panel reflected on these changes, examining their impact on the retirement landscape. They discussed the journey so far, the effects on retirement savings and fund management and the future regulatory horizon.
- Watch a full recording of the regulatory panel
Felicia Hlophe
Senior legal adviser, Allan Gray
Nicolette van Vuuren
Partner, Webber Wentzel
Sanchia Petrie
Specialist analyst: Fund Governance and Trustee Conduct, Financial Sector Conduct Authority
09:50
Tea break
10:05
Panel discussion
Cybersecurity and the impact on retirement savers and their administrators
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in conjunction with the Prudential Authority (PA) published the Joint Standard 2 of 2024, titled "Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience", on 16 May 2024. The Standard – which sets out detailed requirements and principles for sound practices and processes relating to cybersecurity and cyber resilience – applies to various financial institutions, including (but not limited to) banks, insurers, retirement funds and fund administrators, and collective investment scheme managers. The panel explored the unfolding answers to various questions, including: How will this impact retirement fund administrators and, eventually, the underlying members? What are some of the common schemes identified by the experts have seen, and how have businesses responded? And what should retirement savers do to protect themselves?
- Watch a full recording of the cybersecurity panel
Craig Sales
Head: Information Technology, Allan Gray
Andrew Henwood
Founder and director, BlckRhino
Anna Collard
Senior vice president of content strategy and evangelist, KnowBe4 Africa
Katlego Masemola
Founder and chief executive officer, Orion Cyber
10:50
Keynote address
The perfection trap
A significant portion of investment success comes down to behaviour, and sometimes, in striving to make perfect decisions, we risk overwhelming ourselves and remaining static rather than moving forward with diligence and pragmatism. Professor and author Thomas Curran shared tools to help advisers, consultants and employers to avoid falling into the perfection trap, build confidence in decision-making and be proactive in driving client and employee retirement plans forward.
- Listen to the podcast episode featuring this keynote speaker
Nozipho Tshabalala
Chief executive officer, The Conversation Strategists
Thomas Curran
Professor of Psychology, London School of Economics
Shaheed joined Allan Gray in 2007 in Retail Distribution where he fulfilled various roles before becoming a manager in Product Development in 2017. He is currently the head of the Group Savings and Investments team. Shaheed holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the University of South Africa and a Master of Business Administration (cum laude) from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. He is also a CFP® professional.
Nompumelelo is a seasoned television reporter and the anchor of On Point on the SABC News Channel. The programme focuses on general news, business and economic developments, capital market news and newsmaker interviews. She previously hosted SAfm Market Update with Moneyweb on SAfm. Nompumelelo has been recognised by Sanlam for Excellence in Financial Journalism in the Audio Broadcast category. She has experience mediating and facilitating debates on socioeconomic issues. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Master’s degree in Journalism, both from the University of Westminster in London.
Richard joined Allan Gray in 2007. He is head of Assurance and is responsible for Compliance, Risk, Internal Audit and Group Legal. He is also a director of Allan Gray Life and Allan Gray Investment Services and a trustee of the Allan Gray retirement funds. He was previously jointly responsible for the Retail business, heading up Product Development. Richard holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Cape Town and is a qualified actuary.
Nozipho is the chief executive officer of The Conversation Strategists, a firm dedicated to moderating global conversations that are designed to have measurable outcomes. She is also a fellow of the Gordon Institute of Business Science’s Centre for African Management and Markets, the Desmond Tutu Fellowship, the African Leadership Initiative and the International Women’s Forum. Nozipho holds an Honours degree in International Relations from the University of Pretoria, a Master’s degree in International Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, a Master’s degree in Development Finance (cum laude) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Thomas is a distinguished professor of psychology at the London School of Economics and the author of the international bestseller The Perfection Trap. He has garnered worldwide acclaim for his research into the rising tide of perfectionism and its implications for well-being and productivity. Focusing on evidence-based strategies and actionable insights, he helps organisations recognise the hidden costs of perfectionism and adopt strategies for sustainable success, and provides audiences with tools and methods to counter unrealistic standards, reduce burnout and encourage creativity. Thomas’s TED Talk on perfectionism has reached over three million viewers, and his work has been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, Harvard Business Review and TIME.
Uche is the chief executive officer and founder of Nelu Diversified Solutions, a global employee benefits firm on a mission to make benefits accessible. The firm has been recognised for its innovative approach and social impact. She began her career as an associate attorney at a large law firm before moving into consulting at Willis Towers Watson (now WTW), where she drove benefits compliance and strategy for Fortune 100 employers. Before founding Nelu, she led global retirement compliance at Boeing, managing some of the world’s most complex pension and benefits plans. Uche holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Laws in Taxation, both from Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and International Comparative Area Studies from Duke University. A former Dagen-Legomsky International Public Interest fellow, she also taught international human rights courses in the Netherlands.
Thalia joined Allan Gray as a fixed interest trader in 2015 and was appointed as a portfolio manager in 2019. She started her career in the South African fixed interest market in 2010. Thalia currently manages the money market portfolio, the bond portfolio, the Africa fixed interest portfolio, portions of the balanced fixed interest portfolios, and the Income and Interest funds. She holds a Master of Commerce degree in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Cape Town and is a CFA® charterholder.
Isaah is the chief economist and head of Global Markets Research at RMB and a member of the bank’s Global Markets Exco. He leads research across macroeconomics, fixed income, currencies, commodities and credit in South Africa and the rest of the continent and drives client strategy research in collaboration with internal teams. Previously, Isaah held senior economist roles and lectured at the University of Johannesburg. He serves as a trustee of StudyTrust and is a non-executive board member of Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and Technology. Isaah is a fellow of both the Centre for Africa Management and Markets at the Gordon Institute of Business Science and Economic Research Southern Africa. He is also a business columnist.
Ielyaas joined Allan Gray in 2019 as a specialist in the Group Savings and Investments team and is currently a manager in this team. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics and Investments from the University of the Western Cape and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice from the University of Cape Town.
San-Marié joined Sanlam Corporate: Group Risk as a managing executive in 2023. Before joining Sanlam, she had a varied career in financial services. As chief marketing actuary at Gen Re Africa, San-Marié was an integral part of the leadership team that helped the company grow into a dominant life and health reinsurance player in South Africa. She was also the head of Retail Risk Product Development, head of Retail Investment Product Development and a member of the Executive Committee of the Product Solutions business unit at Old Mutual.
Rudi joined Hollard Group Risk in 2023 as the executive head of Actuarial, where he heads a portfolio that includes pricing and product development, as well as actuarial reporting and data analytics. He has over 20 years of experience in employee benefits, having worked in pensions, group insurance and consulting roles. Rudi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics from the University of Pretoria and is a fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa.
Brice is the head of Customer Proposition in the Group Assurance Products division at Old Mutual. With almost two decades of experience, she has amassed a deep understanding of the life insurance and reinsurance environment as well as insurance solutions and services. Brice is a notable thought leader and researcher in the field of managing mental health risks within the context of life insurance. She is the chair of the Actuarial Society of South Africa’s Continuous Statistical Investigations (CSI) Committee, which leads efforts to enhance the factual basis for actuarial decision-making as it relates to life and/or disability insurance.
Felicia joined Allan Gray in 2021 as a legal adviser in the Retail Legal team and is currently a senior legal adviser in the same team. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Cape Town and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Felicia was admitted as an attorney of the High Court and obtained her right of appearance in the High Court in 2018.
Nicolette is a partner at Webber Wentzel, specialising in pensions, employment and employee benefits law. She advises on regulatory compliance, fiduciary duties, governance and risk management. Nicolette’s extensive experience spans pension fund curatorships and investigations; due diligence; corporate transactions involving pension funds; litigation and dispute resolution; and the drafting of agreements, policies and governance documents. She has a proven track record of advising and representing pension funds, members, employers and service providers. Nicolette holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of South Africa and is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. She is a member of the International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association, the Pension Lawyers Association and the Institute of Retirement Funds.
Sanchia is a specialist analyst in the Fund Governance and Trustee Conduct department at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and has been employed in various roles at the FSCA since 2018. Her responsibilities include the strategic monitoring of trustee training as well as implementing and overseeing the FSCA’s Trustee Training Toolkit. Sanchia regularly presents at workshops and conferences to diverse stakeholders, focusing on the Trustee Training Toolkit and the two-pot retirement system. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting Sciences from the University of Pretoria and a Bachelor of Commerce Law degree (cum laude) from the University of South Africa.
Craig joined Allan Gray in 2001 as an Information Technology (IT) manager and was appointed as the executive responsible for the company’s IT function in 2012. Prior to joining Allan Gray, he gained international experience in the financial services sector. Craig holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Cape Town and a Master of Business Administration from Henley Business School.
Andrew is the founder and director of BlckRhino, a global provider of strategic cybersecurity services and software solutions that advocates for environmentally responsible business practices through non-profit organisation 1% for the Planet. He is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor and cybersecurity expert with over 30 years of industry experience. For two decades, Andrew has specialised in Payment Card Industry (PCI) security, compliance and digital forensics and incident response. He has played a key role in investigating some of the world’s largest data breaches and providing triage, root cause analysis and regulatory reporting.
Anna is the senior vice president of content strategy and evangelist for KnowBe4 Africa, where she drives security awareness across the continent. She founded Popcorn Training, which was acquired by KnowBe4 in 2018. Anna is an ambassador for the Global Council for Responsible AI, a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cybersecurity as well as co-founder and advisory board member of the MiDO Academy – a programme that aims to bridge the cyber skills divide in underserved communities in the Western Cape. She holds a Master of Science degree in Cyber Psychology from the University of Applied Sciences Vienna and is a multi-award-winning tech entrepreneur.
Katlego is the founder and chief executive officer of Orion Cyber, an internal audit, advisory and training firm, accredited by both the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA) and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). With over 16 years of experience in auditing, risk management, governance and data analytics, Katlego is a pioneer in the implementation of continuous auditing and the delivery of Certified Information Systems Auditor® and Certified Information Security Manager® training. He is training to become a certified artificial intelligence (AI) trainer, serves as the IIA SA’s deputy regional governor for Johannesburg, and is an Audit Committee member and chairs the IT Steering Committees of two local municipalities. Katlego is also an accredited quality assurance assessor, a trained ethical hacker and a former board secretary of the ISACA South Africa Chapter.