Meet M&G People

Get to know the people behind M&G Investments Southern Africa with this Q&A feature.

Tell us something about your job that most people don’t know.

Risk and Compliance are an integral part of why clients trust M&G with managing their money. The robustness of the Risk and Compliance functions, and our oversight of the activities of M&G, provide clients with a level of comfort, and enhance their trust in us.

Tell us about your very first job.

My first formal job was doing articles. This started my journey of being interested in financial services, and wanting to better understand financial markets.

What motivated you to pursue a career in financial services?

What appealed to me most was the impact financial services companies have on the economy and the meaningful positive impact it could make to peoples’ lives. In addition, I found the pace, variety and complexity of issues faced fascinating.

What is your go-to career advice for young people at the start of their careers in financial services?

I think it must be quite challenging starting one’s career at this time, particularly given the ever-changing environment. The ‘hybrid’ and ‘work from anywhere’ working model has also somewhat compromised the rate at which new entrants can build meaningful relationships with colleagues and learn from their more experienced peers.

Notwithstanding the above, the fundamentals still hold true:

• Apply yourself, be passionate about what you do, and learn from those with more experience and different perspectives.
• Look at challenging tasks (or “asks”) as opportunities to engage with knowledgeable people and learn.

Lastly, to remain relevant and be future-fit, have an attitude of being a lifelong-learner and always be looking at ways to innovate in every aspect of what you do.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenges facing this industry?

The legacy of scandals, fraud, mis-selling, scams, financial crisis, etc, caused people to lack trust in financial services companies.

The financial services industry faces a multitude of challenges, namely:

• The pace of regulatory and technological changes;
• The increasing client expectations, which increased costs, in an environment where fees are under pressure, are huge challenges;
• The cost of living, unemployment and inflationary pressures result in savings rates not keeping pace with required levels, affecting the relative pool of money managed within financial services; and
• Understanding the needs and preferences of a changing generational client base, who have different world views, including what financial services are and how they should be provided.

That being said, the astute financial services provider would view these “challenges” as opportunities to innovate, and differentiate them from their peers.

What are some of the key lessons you have learned in and about the industry?

To be successful in the long-term, treat clients fairly and conduct yourself with integrity. You are your reputation!

What would you consider your greatest achievement thus far?

Being part of a highly capable and competent Risk and Compliance team at M&G!

What was your first investment – and do you still have it?

I purchased a share, and yes, I still own it!

What is one of the best books on business/finance/motivation that you’ve ever read — and why would you recommend it to others? 

“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek. Great principles on leadership and building an organizational culture that thrives.

Another fascinating read is a book that provides insight into the implications of an aging world population and the shifting demographics in various economies, “Age of Decay” by Shamil Ismail.

What would you say has been your best personal financial moment?

Purchasing a home.

What would you like to be known for?

I would like to be known as someone who is authentic and acts with integrity.

Who would you most like to meet and why?

Eliud Kipchoge – he is an inspiring personality, who accomplished a tremendous amount, and remains humble.