Alex Forbes Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Alex Forbes has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, technology, operations, and regional consulting.

Committed to delivering expert financial insight and advice, Alex Forbes empowers individuals and employers across Africa through integrated retirement, healthcare, and investment solutions that secure long-term financial well-being.

Leadership Roles at Alex Forbes

  • Chief Executive Officer - Poloko Masitara
  • Owner & Chief Executive Officer - Mari Diaz
  • Group Chief Executive Officer - David De Villiers
  • Chief Financial Officer - Lisa Stott
  • Chief Financial Officer, Corporate - Muhommed Syed
  • Chief Financial Officer, Growth Markets & Enabling Services - Owetu Ca
  • Chief Operating Officer (Solutions & Enablement) - Karusha Moodley
  • Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting - Rashen Maharaj
  • Chief Information Officer - Jan Bouwer
  • Regional Executive - Cobus Strydom
  • Poloko Masitara - Chief Executive Officer

    Poloko Masitara, the Chief Executive Officer at Alex Forbes, directs the overarching strategic vision for the financial services group. Masitara architects the long-term growth trajectory by aligning retirement and investment solutions with the evolving needs of individuals and corporate clients. By fostering a culture of insight-led advice, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the organization maintains a competitive edge within the South African market. Poloko Masitara monitors the integration of healthcare and wealth management services to maximize client impact. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to refine the corporate mission and drive sustainable value creation. Through rigorous oversight of the advice-led framework, the Chief Executive Officer strengthens the brand reputation. Ultimately, Masitara secures the firm's position as a trusted partner for retirement funds and employers, ensuring that every strategic decision translates into tangible financial security for the diverse client base served across the region.

    Mari Diaz - Owner & Chief Executive Officer

    Mari Diaz, the Owner & Chief Executive Officer at Alex Forbes, governs the foundational principles and strategic direction of the enterprise. Diaz drives the expansion of the firm's footprint by championing innovative financial models that address complex retirement and investment challenges. As the Owner & Chief Executive Officer, Diaz oversees the alignment of corporate governance with the group's commitment to delivering high-impact advice. Mari Diaz evaluates market trends to ensure the organization remains at the forefront of the financial services industry. This leadership position requires balancing immediate operational excellence with the pursuit of long-term institutional stability. By cultivating deep relationships with key stakeholders, Diaz reinforces the trust clients place in the brand. The strategic focus remains on scaling the Arrive platform to enhance employee benefit solutions. Ultimately, Diaz ensures that the firm continues to deliver superior value, maintaining the legacy of excellence while adapting to the dynamic financial landscape of the African continent.

    David De Villiers - Group Chief Executive Officer

    David De Villiers, the Group Chief Executive Officer at Alex Forbes, manages the comprehensive operations of the financial services group. De Villiers coordinates the synergy between retirement, healthcare, and investment divisions to provide a unified client experience. As the Group Chief Executive Officer, De Villiers directs the implementation of the advice-led framework across all regional markets. David De Villiers monitors performance metrics to ensure that the delivery of financial insight meets the highest standards of quality and integrity. This role involves leading the executive team to execute complex business strategies that support the firm's growth objectives. By optimizing internal processes, the Group Chief Executive Officer enhances the efficiency of service delivery for employers and retirement funds. De Villiers maintains a focus on market expansion, ensuring that the organization effectively addresses the unique financial needs of clients throughout Africa. Ultimately, De Villiers drives the firm's mission to improve lives through expert financial guidance.

    Lisa Stott - Chief Financial Officer

    Lisa Stott, the Chief Financial Officer at Alex Forbes, oversees the financial health and fiscal strategy of the entire group. Stott directs capital allocation, budgeting, and financial reporting to ensure the organization maintains a robust balance sheet. As the Chief Financial Officer, Stott evaluates investment opportunities that align with the firm's core mission of providing expert financial advice. Lisa Stott manages the financial risks associated with retirement and healthcare solutions, ensuring long-term sustainability for the business. This leadership role involves collaborating with other C-suite members to support strategic growth initiatives through data-driven insights. By maintaining rigorous financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer protects the interests of clients and shareholders alike. Stott monitors the economic landscape to anticipate shifts that might impact the firm's financial performance. Ultimately, Stott ensures that the organization possesses the necessary resources to continue delivering high-quality financial services and innovative benefit solutions to clients across the African market.

    Muhommed Syed - Chief Financial Officer, Corporate

    Muhommed Syed, the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate at Alex Forbes, manages the financial operations specifically related to the corporate and institutional client segments. Syed directs the financial planning and analysis for employee benefit solutions, ensuring that retirement and healthcare products remain profitable and sustainable. As the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate, Syed oversees the fiscal health of the corporate division, providing the insights necessary for strategic decision-making. Muhommed Syed monitors the financial performance of corporate accounts to ensure alignment with the firm's overall growth objectives. This leadership role involves working closely with the corporate consulting teams to optimize pricing and service delivery models. By maintaining strict financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate protects the firm's interests while delivering value to corporate clients. Syed ensures that the financial reporting for the corporate segment is accurate and transparent. Ultimately, Syed supports the firm's mission by ensuring the financial viability of the corporate service offerings.
    Muhommed Syed

    Owetu Ca - Chief Financial Officer, Growth Markets & Enabling Services

    Owetu Ca, the Chief Financial Officer, Growth Markets & Enabling Services at Alex Forbes, directs the financial strategy for emerging market segments and internal support services. Ca oversees the allocation of resources to drive expansion into new territories and enhance the enabling services that support the firm's core operations. As the Chief Financial Officer, Growth Markets & Enabling Services, Ca monitors the financial performance of these key areas to ensure they contribute effectively to the group's overall success. Owetu Ca manages the budgeting and financial planning for initiatives aimed at scaling the firm's presence in growth markets. This leadership role involves identifying financial efficiencies within the enabling services division to support the broader organization. By providing strategic financial guidance, the Chief Financial Officer, Growth Markets & Enabling Services ensures that the firm can pursue new opportunities while maintaining operational stability. Ultimately, Ca supports the firm's growth by ensuring that financial resources are directed toward high-impact areas.

    Karusha Moodley - Chief Operating Officer (Solutions & Enablement)

    Karusha Moodley, the Chief Operating Officer (Solutions & Enablement) at Alex Forbes, manages the internal processes and operational frameworks that enable the delivery of financial solutions. Moodley directs the operational teams responsible for scaling the firm's retirement and healthcare offerings. As the Chief Operating Officer (Solutions & Enablement), Moodley optimizes the workflows that support the advice-led framework, ensuring consistency and quality across all service lines. Karusha Moodley monitors operational performance to identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains. This leadership role involves coordinating with various departments to ensure that the necessary tools and resources are available to meet client needs. By focusing on operational excellence, the Chief Operating Officer (Solutions & Enablement) supports the firm's ability to provide timely and accurate financial advice. Moodley drives initiatives that enhance the internal capacity to serve a growing client base. Ultimately, Moodley ensures that the organization's operational infrastructure remains robust and responsive to market demands.

    Rashen Maharaj - Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting

    Rashen Maharaj, the Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting at Alex Forbes, oversees the operational delivery of personalized financial advice to individual clients. Maharaj directs the consulting teams to ensure that retirement and investment strategies are executed with precision and care. As the Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting, Maharaj monitors the quality of client interactions to maintain the firm's reputation for trust and insight. Rashen Maharaj manages the operational logistics of the individual consulting division, ensuring that advisors have the support required to deliver best-in-class service. This leadership role involves refining the consulting model to better address the unique financial goals of individual clients. By streamlining the advisory process, the Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting enhances the overall client experience. Maharaj collaborates with other leaders to ensure that individual consulting services remain aligned with the broader corporate mission. Ultimately, Maharaj drives the success of the individual consulting arm by focusing on operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

    Jan Bouwer - Chief Information Officer

    Jan Bouwer, the Chief Information Officer at Alex Forbes, architects the digital infrastructure that supports the firm's financial services. Bouwer directs the development and maintenance of the Arrive platform, ensuring seamless delivery of health, wealth, and career solutions to clients. As the Chief Information Officer, Bouwer oversees the integration of advanced data analytics to provide the deep insights that define the brand. Jan Bouwer manages the cybersecurity protocols necessary to protect sensitive client information in the retirement and investment sectors. This leadership role involves driving digital transformation initiatives that enhance the user experience for both individuals and employers. By leveraging technology to streamline operations, the Chief Information Officer improves the efficiency of the advice-led framework. Bouwer collaborates with the executive team to ensure that technological capabilities remain aligned with the firm's strategic goals. Ultimately, Bouwer secures the digital foundation that allows the organization to deliver reliable and impactful financial advice at scale.

    Cobus Strydom - Regional Executive

    Cobus Strydom, the Regional Executive at Alex Forbes, manages the firm's operations and client relationships within specific geographic territories. Strydom directs the implementation of the advice-led framework at the regional level, ensuring that retirement, healthcare, and investment solutions are tailored to local market dynamics. As the Regional Executive, Strydom oversees the performance of regional teams and ensures that they meet the firm's high standards for service delivery. Cobus Strydom monitors regional market trends to identify opportunities for growth and client engagement. This leadership role involves coordinating with the central office to ensure that regional activities remain aligned with the group's overarching strategy. By fostering strong relationships with local employers and retirement funds, the Regional Executive strengthens the firm's market position. Strydom drives the execution of regional initiatives that support the company's mission of delivering expert financial advice. Ultimately, Strydom ensures that the firm's impact is felt consistently across the assigned region.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Alex Forbes Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Alex Forbes?
    Alex Forbes is led by Poloko Masitara (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Mari Diaz (Owner & Chief Executive Officer) and David De Villiers (Group Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of Alex Forbes’s executive team?
    The executive team of Alex Forbes includes leaders such as Poloko Masitara (Chief Executive Officer), Mari Diaz (Owner & Chief Executive Officer), David De Villiers (Group Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Alex Forbes have?
    Alex Forbes has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Alex Forbes’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Alex Forbes includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Owner & Chief Executive Officer, Group Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate.