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 Managing Director 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
Ms. Amanda Khoza, the Vice President of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA), is a passionate advocate for financial inclusion, impact investing, responsible finance and sustainable investing in retirement funds. As Chair of the transformation and sustainability committee and member of the investment practices committee, she drives positive change in the industry. With extensive experience as an independent trustee and director of financial services companies, Amanda has worked on socio-economic and sustainability strategies and research for the past decade. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, Amanda is a passionate advocate for the power of impact and sustainable investing in driving social inclusion and equity. Her extensive tenure in the industry has reinforced her unwavering belief that by allocating capital to investments that generate positive social and environmental impact, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society while also achieving competitive financial returns
Professor Enos Ngutshane - Past President
Prof Enos Ngutshane is the former IRFA President and still serves as a Board Member and Executive Committee Member of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA). He provides thought leadership in Corporate Governance, Local Government, Rail Engineering, Occupational Health and Safety, and Risk Management. He has worked for different institutions such as Wits Faculty of Commerce and Law as lecturer and Gauteng Government as Deputy Director General (DDG) for Housing and Local Government, the 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. He has been the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) since June 2020. Chairman of Utho Investment Management since August 2022 and Board member of the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (SASRIA) since November 2020.
Nancy Andrews - Executive Board Member
General Legal Counsel and Head of Legal for Discovery Corporate and Employee Benefits and Discovery Invest
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. Her dedication extends far beyond her current roles, having served as a past President of the Pension Lawyers Association of South Africa. Nancy is also a Trustee and has been the Principal Officer of Discovery’s retirement funds. Nancy has been instrumental in building and maintaining relationships with key organisations on behalf of the retirement fund industry and Discovery, including the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), the Prudential Authority, the National Treasury (NT), and the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator (OPFA). 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 independent 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.
At the IRFA, Cheryl serves as a Board Member, Chairs the Retirement Funds Audit committee and is the current LUKA awards programme champion.
Mandla Nkosi
Mandla Nkosi is a seasoned pensions lawyer and advisory consultant with over 20 years of experience. He serves as an independent trustee and Principal Officer, offering expertise across a wide range of legal and governance areas including Employee Benefits law, Employment law, Corporate/Fund governance and compliance, Asset management law, and Fund transfers, mergers, and liquidation. Additionally, he provides trustee training and member communication support. Mandla holds key roles on various trustee boards, participating in committees such as death claims, investments, legal and governance, audit and risk, and administration for both ordinary and unclaimed benefit funds, including beneficiary funds. At the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA), Mandla is a director and trustee. He leads as the Head of Governance/Compliance and Policy Framework, while also serving on the Audit Subcommittee and the Legal and Tax Subcommittee.
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 previously served as a trustee and Principal Officer – MWPF Beneficiary Fund, worked as an executive for Old Mutual Super Fund.
Mkuseli currently serves a trustee for Sanlam Umbrella Fund and a board member for the IRFA.
He has 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 leading ,Group External Relations for Sanlam as an Executive Head.
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.