Profile
Desmond K.
Smith is currently the Chairman at RGA Reinsurance Company of South Africa Ltd., Chairman at Stellenbosch Institute For Advanced Study, Director at Plexus Holdings (Pty) Ltd., Director at Embryo Financial Services (Pty) Ltd., Director at Clover Danone Beverages Ltd., Director at The Road Accident Fund, and Director at Innovus Tegnologie Oordrag (Pty) Ltd. Mr. Smith's former positions include Non-Executive Chairman at Sanlam Ltd. from 2009 to 2017, Chairman at Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd. from 2009 to 2017, Independent Non-Executive Director at Mediclinic International Ltd. from 2008 to 2012, Independent Non-Executive Director at Clover Industries Ltd., Director at Plexus Asset Management (Pty) Ltd., Independent Non-Executive Director at Al Noor Hospitals Group Plc, Senior Independent Director at Mediclinic International Plc from 2016 to 2019, President of The International Actuarial Association, and President of the Actuarial Society of South Africa.
Desmond Smith active positions
| Companies | Position | Start |
|---|---|---|
Embryo Financial Services (Pty) Ltd. | Director/Board Member | 03/12/2009 |
Plexus Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
Plexus Holdings (Pty) Ltd. Investment ManagersFinance Operates as a holding company in financial advisory industry | Director/Board Member | 03/12/2009 |
Clover Danone Beverages Ltd. | Director/Board Member | 02/08/2011 |
Innovus Tegnologie Oordrag (Pty) Ltd. | Director/Board Member | 03/08/2011 |
RGA Reinsurance Company of South Africa Ltd.
RGA Reinsurance Company of South Africa Ltd. Multi-Line InsuranceFinance Provides life and health reinsurance, risk management and claims services | Chairman | - |
The Road Accident Fund
The Road Accident Fund General GovernmentGovernment Provides motor vehicle accident insurance claim services | Director/Board Member | - |
Stellenbosch Institute For Advanced Study | Chairman | - |
Former positions of Desmond Smith
| Companies | Position | End |
|---|---|---|
| MEDICLINIC INTERNATIONAL PLC | Director/Board Member | 24/07/2019 |
Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd.
Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd. Internet Software/ServicesTechnology Services Operates as an online platform that provides financial, invest, planning and wealth management services | Chairman | 30/06/2017 |
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Experiences
Positions held
Active
Inactive
Listed companies
Private companies
Connections
1st degree connections
1st degree companies
Male
Female
Members of the board
Executives
Linked companies
| Private companies | 16 |
|---|---|
Sanlam Ltd.
Sanlam Ltd. Property/Casualty InsuranceFinance Provides financial, life insurance, financial planning and credit solutions to individual and institutional clients | Finance |
Mediclinic International Ltd.
Mediclinic International Ltd. Hospital/Nursing ManagementHealth Services Operates private hospitals | Health Services |
Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd.
Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd. Internet Software/ServicesTechnology Services Operates as an online platform that provides financial, invest, planning and wealth management services | Technology Services |
Clover Industries Ltd.
Clover Industries Ltd. Food: Meat/Fish/DairyConsumer Non-Durables Manufactures dairy products | Consumer Non-Durables |
The International Actuarial Association
The International Actuarial Association Miscellaneous Commercial ServicesCommercial Services The International Actuarial Association (IAA) is an organization representing over 90,000 actuaries through 73 full member associations and 25 associate member associations across more than 115 countries. The IAA supports the actuarial profession through specialized sections focused on areas such as consulting, life insurance, and banking, offering continuing professional development opportunities including webinars, masterclasses, research groups, and networking events. The non-profit company is based in Ottawa, Canada. Its mission is to develop a technically competent and professionally reliable actuarial profession that serves the public interest by promoting actuarial science knowledge, enhancing service quality and professional standards, and facilitating international knowledge exchange. Membership in these sections is open to individuals for an annual fee, providing access to specialist resources and collaboration platforms. The IAA is governed by a council, committees, and a professionalism committee that oversees international actuarial standards, codes of conduct, and disciplinary processes, and maintains a comprehensive governance framework with statutes, policies, and strategic plans. The association organizes major international events such as the triennial International Congress of Actuaries, regional conferences, colloquia, and webinars, and provides resources including publications, standards of actuarial practice, research policies, and an online archive of event proceedings. Supported by patron organizations from the actuarial and insurance industries, the IAA facilitates collaboration among professional actuarial associations, individual actuaries, academia, and industry stakeholders worldwide. | Commercial Services |
Plexus Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
Plexus Holdings (Pty) Ltd. Investment ManagersFinance Operates as a holding company in financial advisory industry | Finance |
Plexus Asset Management (Pty) Ltd.
Plexus Asset Management (Pty) Ltd. Investment ManagersFinance Provides investment and investment advisory services | Finance |
Embryo Financial Services (Pty) Ltd. | |
Actuarial Society of South Africa
Actuarial Society of South Africa The private company is based in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the professional body dedicated to advancing actuarial science, education, and practice within and across the continent. The society regulates and supports actuaries by providing education, structured membership designations, and upholding professional and ethical standards through a code of conduct and disciplinary framework. It offers resources for actuarial students and professionals, including syllabi, exam registration, study materials, and support programs, with exams conducted in both virtual and venue formats. The society emphasizes lifelong learning through a continuous professional development system and fosters research and thought leadership via its public benefits and research hub. It organizes events, seminars, and publishes journals and magazines, and maintains committees and task forces addressing areas such as banking, climate change, enterprise risk management, and insurance. The society promotes transformation and diversity through initiatives and partnerships, and supports education and development via bursaries and trusts for previously disadvantaged communities. It serves as a central hub for actuarial education, professional standards, research, and member engagement. The Actuarial Society of South Africa was founded in 1948. | |
Al Noor Hospitals Group Plc
Al Noor Hospitals Group Plc Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services Provides healthcare services | Health Services |
Clover Danone Beverages Ltd. | |
The Road Accident Fund
The Road Accident Fund General GovernmentGovernment Provides motor vehicle accident insurance claim services | Government |
Innovus Tegnologie Oordrag (Pty) Ltd. | |
RGA Reinsurance Company of South Africa Ltd.
RGA Reinsurance Company of South Africa Ltd. Multi-Line InsuranceFinance Provides life and health reinsurance, risk management and claims services | Finance |
Stellenbosch Institute For Advanced Study | |
Mediclinic International Plc
Mediclinic International Plc Medical/Nursing ServicesHealth Services Provides health care services | Health Services |
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