IRFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Geraldine Fowler - President
Current Institute of Retirement Funds Africa President Geraldine Fowler is acknowledged as a thought leader and innovator in the retirement sector. A committed volunteer she has served and represented the industry for many years in her various leadership roles within the Institute. In addition, she is a regular speaker at local and international conferences and events and has sat as a High Court expert witness on industry related matters.
Geraldine is a qualified Certified Financial Planner and a Professional Executive Principal Officer. She also holds various qualifications in insurance and business studies as well as a qualification in the art of writing.
With over 35 years’ experience in the retirement funds industry in the areas of administration, consulting and trusteeship Geraldine is the founding director and CEO of GQM Fund Administrators.
She is passionate about the contribution the retirement sector can make in improving socio-economic conditions and on the issues surrounding equity, diversity and inclusion.
Amanda Khoza - Vice President
Amanda is the IRFA Vice President and Executive Board Member. She has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, serving in a number of senior roles. She has worked in institutional investments, management accounting, transformation and research for companies listed on the JSE’s main board. Her roles have included the strategic development and implementation of business development programmes, writing and speaking engagements and development and management of transformation programmes. She previously served as a non-executive director of the ASISA ESD Fund, ASISA Foundation and the INSETA boards. She is currently a Director on the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa Board and serves as the Chairperson on its Transformation and Sustainability sub-committee. Her broad experience in governance structures and strategic roles positions her well in understanding the financial inclusion eco-system which she is passionate about.
Professor Enos Ngutshane - Past President
Prof Enos is the former IRFA President and still serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA). He is an authority in Corporate Governance, Local Government, Rail Safety, Occupational Health and Safety. He has worked for different institutions such as, Gauteng Government as Deputy Director General, Wits Business School as lecturer, and South African Foundation for Public Management (SAFPUM) as a CEO. He was the Chairperson and a Trustee of the Prasa Provident Fund for 15 years.
Nancy Andrews - Executive Board Member
Nancy is a highly respected legal practitioner and, with almost 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry and is a recognised authority in the field of retirement funds, life insurance, investments, and tax. Complimenting her B. Proc degree, Nancy also holds post-graduate Diplomas in Tax, Money Laundering Control, Compliance Management, Interpretation and Contract Drafting and Pensions Law. As General Legal Counsel and Head of Legal of Discovery Corporate and Employee Benefits and Discovery Invest, Nancy oversees all legal, compliance, insurance, and tax matters, ensuring seamless business operations within an ever-evolving regulatory landscape.
Nancy is a member of the International Pension & Employee Benefits Lawyers Association; a member and Executive Director on the Board of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (“IRFA”). She is also the Chairperson of the IRFA’s Legal and Technical Committee and a member of the ASISA Tax, Retirement Reforms, Group Insurance and Transformation workgroups. She also represents the IRFA in consultations with NT, SARS, and the FSCA and presents to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance on tax and retirement fund Bills that are tabled. Nancy has been extensively involved in the development and landscaping of legislation relating to the two-pot retirement system and other pensions and tax reform changes. Her combined expertise, collaboration skills, and industry involvement make her a driving force in shaping legal and regulatory developments within the South African financial services sector.
Cheryl Ward
Cheryl has over 25 years’ experience in the retirement funding industry in the areas of fund administration, fund consulting and communication. She now works as an independant retirement funding consultant - was previously the Chief Operating Officer at one of the larger retirement funds in SA and prior to that, a Director at a section 13B Benefit Administrator. Providing an efficient administration system backed by technical expertise and good governance are areas of focus for her. Cheryl is also dedicated to communicating and educating members using technology and robust financial literacy programmes. Her studies include financial planning, investment, property and banking.
Mandla Nkosi
Mandla Nkosi is an experienced and independent pensions lawyer; advisory consultant; independent trustee, independent Principal Officer. He has been in the industry for the last 20 years. He advises on the following (including but not limited to): Employee Benefits (retirement funds and other types of funds) law; Employment law; Corporate/Fund governance and compliance; Asset management law; Fund transfers, mergers and liquidation; Trustee training and Member communication.
He also holds a position of director and trustee on the board of the IRFA. He is currently the Head of Governance/Compliance and Policy Framework at the IRFA; a member of the Audit Subcommittee and member of the Legal and Tax Subcommittee of the IRFA, respectively.
His qualifications include a Bachelor of laws; Advanced Diploma in Labour Law; Diploma in Pension Funds Law; Certificate in Business Leadership and Management; Management Advance Programme (MAP); Regulatory Certificates as Representative and Key Individual (Authorized and Approved by the FSCA); Trustee Tool Kit certification; Qualified Chartered Executive Principal Officer (cum laude); Registered Information Officer.
Mkuseli Mbomvu
Mkuseli has been in the financial services for more than two decades having worked for Old Mutual, Sanlam Investments Management, Mineworkers Provident Fund and Sanlam Corporate.
He has served as a trustee- Sanlam Umbrella Funds, Principal Officer – MWPF Beneficiary Fund and worked as an executive for Old Mutual Super Fund. I have a passion and understanding of retirement regime both in terms of member needs as well as appreciation of the regulatory frameworks.
In his current role, he is charged with the responsibility of governance (Risk, Legal and Compliance) which are the cornerstone in preserving the integrity of retirement funds.
Professor JV Du Plessis (Voet)
Prof Voet is a Professor Emeritus Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State specialising in Labour Law and Retirement Fund Law. He is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa and a long serving Board member of IRFA and also serves on the Legal and Technical Committee of the Institute.