Alex Forbes Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Alex Forbes has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, and technology.

Driven by a commitment to financial well-being, Alex Forbes delivers insight and advice to individuals, employers, and retirement funds, impacting lives across South Africa and Africa.

Leadership Roles at Alex Forbes

  • Chief Executive Officer - Poloko Masitara
  • Owner & Chief Executive Officer - Mari Diaz
  • Group Chief Executive Officer - David De Villiers
  • Chief Executive Officer, Growth Markets - Jonathan Muthige
  • Chief Financial Officer - Atang Mokgware
  • Chief Financial Officer, Corporate - Muhommed Syed
  • Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting - Rashen Maharaj
  • Chief Information Officer - Jan Bouwer
  • Regional Executive - Jacobus Strydom
  • Regional Executive - Verenique Salie
  • Poloko Masitara - Chief Executive Officer

    Poloko Masitara, the Chief Executive Officer at Alex Forbes, directs the overarching strategy and operational execution for the financial services group. Masitara's leadership focuses on enhancing the company's impact by delivering expert insight and advice to individuals, employers, and retirement funds. This role involves ensuring the company's continued growth and market leadership within South Africa's financial services industry. Masitara oversees the integration of the company's independent advice, retirement, investment, and healthcare solutions, driving value for clients. The Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities include fostering innovation and maintaining the strong brand reputation synonymous with insight, advice, and impact. Poloko Masitara guides the organization's strategic direction, ensuring alignment with the core mission of improving financial lives through expert guidance and tailored solutions across the African continent.

    Mari Diaz - Owner & Chief Executive Officer

    Mari Diaz, the Owner & Chief Executive Officer at Alex Forbes, holds ultimate responsibility for the company's strategic vision and ownership directives. Diaz's leadership shapes the direction of the financial services group, ensuring its mission to impact lives through insight and advice remains paramount. This executive role involves guiding the company's long-term growth trajectory and its position within the competitive South African financial landscape. Mari Diaz oversees the strategic deployment of resources to enhance client value, particularly for individuals, employers, and retirement funds. The Owner & Chief Executive Officer's purview includes maintaining the company's legacy of trust and confidence built on deep understanding of retirement, healthcare, and investment dynamics. Mari Diaz champions the integrated approach to advice, retirement, investment, and healthcare solutions that defines Alex Forbes in the industry.

    David De Villiers - Group Chief Executive Officer

    David De Villiers, the Group Chief Executive Officer at Alex Forbes, drives the strategic direction and operational performance across the entire financial services group. De Villiers's leadership ensures the delivery of impactful insight and advice to individuals, employers, and retirement funds, reinforcing the company's market-leading brand. This executive position involves overseeing the strategic integration of retirement, healthcare, and investment dynamics to provide best-in-class advice to clients. David De Villiers is responsible for maintaining and expanding the company's reputation for trust and confidence within South Africa's financial services sector. The Group Chief Executive Officer's mandate includes championing the uniquely integrated independent advice, retirement, investment, and healthcare solutions that differentiate Alex Forbes. David De Villiers guides the group's expansion of employee benefit solutions throughout Africa via the Arrive platform.

    Jonathan Muthige - Chief Executive Officer, Growth Markets

    Jonathan Muthige, the Chief Executive Officer, Growth Markets at Alex Forbes, spearheads the strategic expansion and operational development in emerging and expanding territories. Muthige's leadership focuses on identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities to deliver the company's signature insight and advice to a broader client base across Africa. This executive role involves tailoring the company's integrated financial solutions, including retirement, healthcare, and investment services, to meet the unique needs of diverse markets. Jonathan Muthige oversees the establishment and growth of employee benefit solutions, aligning with the Arrive platform's reach. The Chief Executive Officer, Growth Markets's mandate includes building strong local partnerships and ensuring the successful implementation of Alex Forbes's business model in new regions. Jonathan Muthige drives the company's vision for significant impact beyond its established South African base.

    Atang Mokgware - Chief Financial Officer

    Atang Mokgware, the Chief Financial Officer at Alex Forbes, directs the financial strategy, planning, and reporting for the organization. Mokgware's leadership ensures the financial health and stability of the company, enabling its mission to deliver insight and advice to individuals, employers, and retirement funds. This executive role involves managing all aspects of financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and capital allocation to support growth initiatives. Atang Mokgware oversees the financial integrity of the company's diverse offerings in retirement, healthcare, and investment solutions. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include optimizing financial performance, managing risk, and ensuring compliance with all relevant financial regulations. Atang Mokgware plays a key part in driving the financial success of Alex Forbes and its expansion into employee benefit solutions across Africa.
    Atang Mokgware

    Muhommed Syed - Chief Financial Officer, Corporate

    Muhommed Syed, the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate at Alex Forbes, oversees the financial management and reporting specifically for the corporate entities within the group. Syed's leadership ensures accurate financial stewardship and strategic financial planning for the core business operations that underpin the delivery of insight and advice. This role involves detailed analysis of corporate financial performance, managing treasury functions, and optimizing capital structure to support the company's long-term objectives. Muhommed Syed is responsible for financial controls, investor relations, and ensuring the financial viability of Alex Forbes's integrated solutions. The Chief Financial Officer, Corporate's focus includes driving financial discipline and efficiency across all corporate functions. Muhommed Syed contributes significantly to the financial strategy that enables the company's impact on individuals, employers, and retirement funds.
    Muhommed Syed

    Rashen Maharaj - Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting

    Rashen Maharaj, the Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting at Alex Forbes, directs the operational execution and service delivery for the individual client segment. Maharaj's leadership ensures the seamless provision of expert insight and advice, enhancing the client experience across retirement, healthcare, and investment planning. This role involves optimizing workflows, managing service teams, and implementing best practices to maintain high standards of client satisfaction. Rashen Maharaj oversees the operational efficiency of the individual consulting division, ensuring alignment with the company's overall strategic goals. The Chief Operating Officer Individual Consulting's responsibilities include driving process improvements and leveraging technology to support client engagement. Rashen Maharaj plays a crucial part in delivering the trusted advice that defines Alex Forbes's reputation among individuals seeking financial guidance.

    Jan Bouwer - Chief Information Officer

    Jan Bouwer, the Chief Information Officer at Alex Forbes, architects and directs the company's technology strategy and digital infrastructure. Bouwer's leadership ensures that robust, scalable, and secure information systems support the delivery of financial insight and advice to clients. This critical role involves overseeing the development and implementation of technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency and client experience across retirement, healthcare, and investment services. Jan Bouwer is responsible for managing the company's IT operations, cybersecurity, and data management, safeguarding sensitive client information. The Chief Information Officer's focus includes leveraging technology to drive innovation, support the Arrive platform, and maintain Alex Forbes's competitive edge in the financial services industry. Jan Bouwer ensures technology investments align with the company's overarching business objectives and growth strategies.

    Jacobus Strydom - Regional Executive

    Jacobus Strydom, the Regional Executive at Alex Forbes, manages and drives business operations and client engagement within a specific geographic region. Strydom's leadership focuses on executing the company's strategy to deliver impactful financial insight and advice to individuals, employers, and retirement funds in the designated area. This role involves overseeing regional sales performance, fostering client relationships, and ensuring the effective deployment of Alex Forbes's integrated solutions. Jacobus Strydom is responsible for achieving regional growth targets and expanding the company's market presence. The Regional Executive's mandate includes leading local teams and adapting service delivery to meet regional market demands. Jacobus Strydom contributes to the company's overall success by ensuring strong operational execution and client satisfaction within the region.

    Verenique Salie - Regional Executive

    Verenique Salie, the Regional Executive at Alex Forbes, directs operational activities and business development within a designated geographic territory. Salie's leadership ensures the effective delivery of the company's financial insight and advice, supporting individuals, employers, and retirement funds in the region. This executive position involves managing regional teams, cultivating client partnerships, and driving the adoption of Alex Forbes's comprehensive retirement, healthcare, and investment solutions. Verenique Salie is accountable for achieving regional business objectives and enhancing the company's footprint. The Regional Executive's focus includes implementing strategic initiatives tailored to the local market dynamics. Verenique Salie plays a vital role in extending the reach and impact of Alex Forbes's services through dedicated regional management.

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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 Executive Officer, Growth Markets, Chief Financial Officer.