Discovery Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Discovery has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, connectivity, operations, technology, finance, and information systems.

Driven by a commitment to global insurance excellence, Discovery delivers comprehensive health, life, and short-term insurance solutions across South Africa and the United Kingdom to improve client well-being.

Leadership Roles at Discovery

  • Chief Executive Officer - Sasha Tsoiref
  • CEO Discovery Connect - Prav Govinder
  • Chief Financial Officer - Alan Jacobson
  • Chief Financial Officer, African Composite (South) - Fareed Chothia
  • Chief Operating Officer - Joe Van Niekerk
  • Chief Technology Officer - Wayne Bolton
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer, Corporate Systems - Sats Oosthuizen
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer - Ernst Taljaard
  • Chief Information Officer, Discovery Insure - Kevin Dreyer
  • Chief Information Officer, Systems of Engagement - Jamie Whittaker
  • Sasha Tsoiref - Chief Executive Officer

    Sasha Tsoiref, the Chief Executive Officer at Discovery, directs the overarching corporate strategy and global insurance operations. Tsoiref architects the long-term vision for health, life, and short-term insurance products across South Africa and the United Kingdom. By aligning executive leadership with market demands, the Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent growth and operational excellence. Sasha Tsoiref maintains rigorous oversight of the company's competitive positioning, driving initiatives that enhance client value and financial stability. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to refine business models and expand market reach. Through strategic decision-making, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes resource allocation across international borders. Tsoiref fosters a culture of innovation, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of the insurance industry. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the future trajectory of the firm by balancing risk management with aggressive expansion goals.

    Prav Govinder - CEO Discovery Connect

    Prav Govinder, the CEO Discovery Connect at Discovery, manages the connectivity infrastructure and digital integration services. Govinder drives the expansion of network capabilities to support the broader insurance ecosystem. By overseeing the technical backbone of the organization, the CEO Discovery Connect ensures seamless data flow between health and life insurance platforms. Prav Govinder coordinates with other C-suite leaders to integrate digital tools into the customer experience, enhancing service delivery across South Africa. This role involves scaling connectivity solutions to meet the evolving needs of a global client base. Through strategic partnerships and infrastructure investments, the CEO Discovery Connect strengthens the company's digital footprint. Govinder prioritizes system reliability and security, maintaining the integrity of sensitive insurance data. By optimizing connectivity, the CEO Discovery Connect directly supports the firm's mission to provide accessible and efficient insurance services to all policyholders.

    Alan Jacobson - Chief Financial Officer

    Alan Jacobson, the Chief Financial Officer at Discovery, manages the financial health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Jacobson architects the fiscal policies that support health, life, and short-term insurance operations. By overseeing financial reporting and risk assessment, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and regulatory compliance across South Africa and the United Kingdom. Alan Jacobson collaborates with the executive team to drive revenue growth and optimize capital structure. This leadership role involves managing investor relations and providing strategic financial guidance to the Board. Through rigorous analysis of market trends, the Chief Financial Officer identifies opportunities for investment and expansion. Jacobson maintains the integrity of the company's financial systems, ensuring long-term stability and profitability. By balancing fiscal discipline with strategic growth initiatives, the Chief Financial Officer supports the firm's mission to provide sustainable insurance solutions to a global client base.
    Alan Jacobson

    Fareed Chothia - Chief Financial Officer, African Composite (South)

    Fareed Chothia, the Chief Financial Officer, African Composite (South) at Discovery, directs the financial operations specifically for the southern African insurance portfolio. Chothia architects localized fiscal strategies that align with the broader corporate objectives while addressing regional market nuances. By overseeing budgeting and financial performance for the African Composite, the Chief Financial Officer, African Composite (South) ensures regional profitability and operational efficiency. Fareed Chothia coordinates with the executive leadership to manage regional risk and capital deployment. This leadership role involves analyzing local economic data to inform strategic decision-making. Through meticulous financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer, African Composite (South) supports the growth of health and life insurance products within the region. Chothia maintains strict adherence to regional regulatory standards, ensuring the financial health of the southern African operations. By optimizing regional resources, the Chief Financial Officer, African Composite (South) contributes significantly to the overall success of the firm.

    Joe Van Niekerk - Chief Operating Officer

    Joe Van Niekerk, the Chief Operating Officer at Discovery, executes the daily business functions and internal processes across all insurance divisions. Van Niekerk architects scalable operational frameworks that support health, life, and short-term insurance activities. By streamlining workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures maximum efficiency in service delivery throughout South Africa and the United Kingdom. Joe Van Niekerk collaborates with department heads to align operational output with corporate objectives. This leadership role involves managing complex logistics and resource distribution to maintain high performance standards. Through continuous process improvement, the Chief Operating Officer drives cost-effectiveness and operational agility. Van Niekerk monitors key performance indicators to identify areas for optimization, ensuring the organization remains responsive to market shifts. By overseeing the execution of core business strategies, the Chief Operating Officer sustains the company's reputation for reliability and operational excellence in the insurance sector.

    Wayne Bolton - Chief Technology Officer

    Wayne Bolton, the Chief Technology Officer at Discovery, directs the technological innovation and software development lifecycle. Bolton architects the digital architecture that powers health, life, and short-term insurance products. By overseeing the implementation of advanced computing solutions, the Chief Technology Officer ensures the firm maintains a competitive edge in the global insurance market. Wayne Bolton coordinates with the engineering teams to deploy secure, scalable platforms that enhance user engagement. This leadership role involves evaluating emerging technologies to drive digital transformation across South Africa and the United Kingdom. Through strategic investment in R&D, the Chief Technology Officer accelerates the development of new insurance tools. Bolton manages the technical roadmap, ensuring alignment with the company's long-term growth objectives. By fostering a culture of technical excellence, the Chief Technology Officer secures the firm's position as a leader in insurance technology and digital service delivery.

    Sats Oosthuizen - Deputy Chief Information Officer, Corporate Systems

    Sats Oosthuizen, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Corporate Systems at Discovery, manages the enterprise-wide information systems and corporate data architecture. Oosthuizen architects robust IT frameworks that support the internal operations of health, life, and short-term insurance divisions. By overseeing the maintenance and evolution of corporate systems, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Corporate Systems ensures data integrity and operational continuity across South Africa and the United Kingdom. Sats Oosthuizen collaborates with the Chief Information Officer to align IT infrastructure with business requirements. This leadership role involves managing large-scale system upgrades and ensuring the security of corporate information. Through strategic planning, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Corporate Systems drives efficiency in internal processes. Oosthuizen monitors system performance to identify opportunities for technological advancement. By optimizing corporate information systems, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Corporate Systems directly supports the firm's ability to deliver high-quality insurance services.

    Ernst Taljaard - Deputy Chief Information Officer

    Ernst Taljaard, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Discovery, directs the implementation of information technology strategies and digital infrastructure. Taljaard architects scalable IT solutions that facilitate the delivery of health, life, and short-term insurance products. By overseeing the technical teams, the Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures the reliability and security of the company's digital assets across global operations. Ernst Taljaard coordinates with other IT leaders to integrate new technologies into the existing insurance ecosystem. This leadership role involves managing complex IT projects and ensuring alignment with the firm's strategic goals. Through continuous monitoring of the technological landscape, the Deputy Chief Information Officer drives innovation and operational efficiency. Taljaard maintains high standards for system performance and data protection. By optimizing the IT infrastructure, the Deputy Chief Information Officer supports the company's mission to provide seamless and secure insurance services to clients worldwide.

    Kevin Dreyer - Chief Information Officer, Discovery Insure

    Kevin Dreyer, the Chief Information Officer, Discovery Insure at Discovery, manages the information technology strategy specifically for the short-term insurance division. Dreyer architects digital platforms that enhance the customer experience and streamline claims processing. By overseeing the IT infrastructure for Discovery Insure, the Chief Information Officer, Discovery Insure ensures the delivery of efficient and reliable insurance services. Kevin Dreyer collaborates with the broader IT leadership to integrate advanced data analytics into the short-term insurance product suite. This leadership role involves managing the development of innovative digital tools that differentiate the firm in the competitive insurance market. Through strategic technology investments, the Chief Information Officer, Discovery Insure drives operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Dreyer maintains the security and integrity of insurance data, ensuring compliance with industry standards. By optimizing the technology stack for the short-term insurance business, the Chief Information Officer, Discovery Insure supports the firm's overall growth objectives.
    Kevin Dreyer

    Jamie Whittaker - Chief Information Officer, Systems of Engagement

    Jamie Whittaker, the Chief Information Officer, Systems of Engagement at Discovery, directs the development of customer-facing digital platforms and engagement systems. Whittaker architects interactive interfaces that connect clients with health, life, and short-term insurance services. By overseeing the systems of engagement, the Chief Information Officer, Systems of Engagement ensures a seamless and intuitive user experience across all digital touchpoints. Jamie Whittaker coordinates with marketing and product teams to integrate customer feedback into the digital roadmap. This leadership role involves managing the design and deployment of engagement tools that drive client retention and satisfaction. Through strategic innovation, the Chief Information Officer, Systems of Engagement enhances the firm's ability to interact with policyholders effectively. Whittaker monitors engagement metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and personalization. By optimizing the systems of engagement, the Chief Information Officer, Systems of Engagement directly supports the company's mission to improve client well-being through accessible digital solutions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Discovery Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Discovery?
    Discovery is led by Sasha Tsoiref (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Prav Govinder (CEO Discovery Connect) and Alan Jacobson (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Discovery’s executive team?
    The executive team of Discovery includes leaders such as Sasha Tsoiref (Chief Executive Officer), Prav Govinder (CEO Discovery Connect), Alan Jacobson (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Discovery have?
    Discovery has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Discovery’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Discovery includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, CEO Discovery Connect, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, African Composite (South), Chief Operating Officer.