IRFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Geraldine Fowler - President
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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
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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
Cheryl Ward
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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
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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
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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)
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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.