Tell me about PPS and the services it offers.
PPS was started by a group of dentists who wanted to protect each other’s financial wellbeing. That founding purpose still drives us today — we exist to help our members live the lives they want to live, achieve their goals, and grow and protect their wealth. We offer a wide range of financial services, including long- and short-term insurance, professional health indemnity, investment services, health-care administration and wealth management. What sets us apart is our mutual model. Unlike listed companies, we share all our returns with members holding qualifying life-risk products through allocations to their non-vesting PPS profit-share account.
What are your main tasks as the CFO of PPS?
My core responsibility is to keep the finance function running smoothly. That includes settling member claims on time and managing the allocation of returns to members of PPS profit-share accounts. My team also produces reports that guide stakeholder decision-making and help to steer the business towards its goals. Another key part of my role is safeguarding member funds and company assets, ensuring we operate efficiently so we can maximise the value we return to our members.
What do you think makes you a good CFO?
It starts with working for an organisation with values that align with mine. PPS is committed to doing the right thing, which makes it easier to lead with integrity. I also treat people as people first — before their roles — and I aim for decisions I will not regret tomorrow. I focus on win-win outcomes, knowing that long-term relationships and ethical leadership matter just as much as technical performance.
What are the main challenges you face at work?
Our biggest challenge, like many companies, is growth in a tough economic and geopolitical environment. South Africa’s economy has been sluggish, with high unemployment, making it hard to grow in traditional ways. That means we have to be innovative and constantly adapt. Another challenge is preparing our business and finance teams for a fast-changing, tech-driven future while still running the business effectively today.
What do you look for when recruiting for your team?
It depends on the role, but I generally look for people who want to grow, solve problems, and improve what they touch. I value proactiveness and a sense of doing the right thing. While technical skills are essential, they can be taught. What is harder to teach — and far more valuable — is character. I look for people with strong hearts, integrity and a drive to make things better.
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