PEOPLE. PASSION. PARTNERS.
TOGETHER WE DO
GREAT THINGS
The Unisure Group provides individuals, families
and businesses with global solutions for their
health and life insurance needs.
Three things drive our excellence:
People.
People are at the forefront of all our business strategies. In our line of work, we’re fortunate enough to see first-hand the power that health and life insurance have to save lives and change tomorrow. We strive to make work and home life better for all of our policyholders, and the same goes for our Unisure team members that dedicate their days to making the magic happen for our clients and members.
Passion.
We are passionate about delivering insurance solutions that are flexible, affordable, secure, and portable. Our clients all over the world trust us to cover them and their employees, wherever life (and work) takes them. Our unwavering belief in what we do drives our determination and keeps us striving to do great things and be better every day.
Partners.
The insurance ecosystem is vast and complex. Every day, our partners – insurers, reinsurers, advisors, intermediaries and medical service providers – rely on us to perform crucial functions to ensure all our policyholders are informed, safe and secured with the cover they have in place. Our mission is to be a provider of choice that all of our policyholders and partners take pleasure in working with.
Meet the passionate people behind our brand
Every day, from our offices in four continents around the world, we come together to do great things. We might go by the titles of actuaries, underwriters and executives, but really we’re dreamers, thinkers, and doers.
Meet the brilliant minds that make up The Unisure Group’s management team:
DR GRAHAM WOOLFORD
CHAIRMAN
more info
EXPERIENCE
- Over 35 years’ worth of experience running multinational corporations across numerous industries
- Founding shareholder of The Unisure Group
EDUCATION
- Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
- Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary
- Completed a Doctorate at Edinburgh Business School
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“True happiness comes from helping and being kind to others – every single day. This is the true ethos of The Unisure Group.”
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Obtaining my doctorate and actuarial qualifications, and being head of The Unisure Group, the most exciting global insurer with an amazing team behind it.
Stephen Conway
Deputy Executive Chairman
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EXPERIENCE
- Over 28 years’ experience in the international life assurance business
- Previously Head of Sales and Marketing of Lloyds Bank Offshore
- Previously Regional Manager for Africa at Zurich International
EDUCATION
- Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute
- Member of the Personal Finance Society
BRAGGING RIGHTS
- I can fly a plane!
PROUDEST MOMENT
- Becoming a father.
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover.” – Mark Twain
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
I am really proud of the young management team we have developed at Unisure, it feels so natural that our colleagues are empowered to lead.
GROUP CEO
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EXPERIENCE
- 19 years’ experience working for Discovery Financial Services
- Climbed the corporate ladder to become the COO of Vitality and Discovery Card
- Discovery Card became the biggest lifestyle credit card in South Africa, and Discovery Vitality became the biggest wellness program in the country
EDUCATION
- Qualified Charted Accountant
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg:
- Bachelor of Accounting – with majors in Accounting and Auditing
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) – with majors in Accounting and Auditing
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Be impeccable with your word. Don’t make assumptions. Don’t take things personally. Try your best every day.” – The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
There are so many, but being part of growing Vitality to be ubiquitous in South Africa was very special.
Sarah Dransfield
Head of Legal and Compliance
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EXPERIENCE
- 10 years’ regulatory supervisory experience at the FCA
- 4 years’ post-qualification experience as an Insurance Litigation Lawyer at DAC Beachcroft
- Previously Financial Services Lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright
EDUCATION
- Solicitor, qualified in England and Wales
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“All I want is compliance with my wishes, after reasonable discussion.” – Winston Churchill
PROUDEST MOMENT
I am a trustee of Smile Train UK, the international cleft palate charity.
Louis Hyatt
Head of Group Life and Disability
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EXPERIENCE
- Over a decade in insurance ranging from operations, reserving and reporting to underwriting and risk management
- Worked for Lloyd’s Syndicate 44
- Experienced performance management analyst, operations and underwriting functions
- Strategically developing Group Life and Disability divisions’ profitably
EDUCATION
- BSc (Hons) Maritime Business & Economics
- Certificate in Insurance
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Unisure’s positive culture makes us stronger and more efficient, producing better results for our clients. I am proud to be part of a company where values drive results.”
BRAGGING RIGHTS
Cycling 129 miles from Birmingham to London Leadenhall Market for a mental health charity
Kiara Risely
Group CFO
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EXPERIENCE
- Previously a manager in Business Restructuring Services (Corporate Finance) at PwC South Africa
EDUCATION
- Completed an honours degree in Accounting at Stellenbosch University
- Qualified as a Chartered Accountant while doing articles at PwC in Banking and Capital Markets
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle
PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT
“To thrive on my journey through life whilst learning from my mistakes, embracing the joy and demonstrating humility, integrity and kindness in all that I do.”
Pierre Rossouw
Group Chief Risk Officer
more info
EXPERIENCE
- More than 5 years’ experience working as a risk specialist with insurers and reinsurers across Africa and worldwide
EDUCATION
- Completed an MSc in Financial Management (with distinction) at Edinburgh Business School (Herriot-Watt University)
- Completed a BCom Mathematical Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”
BRAGGING RIGHTS
I have watched the Matrix trilogy in one sitting.
Cristina Meixieira
Operations Director
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EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- 25 years’ industry experience
- International Emergency Response Assistance Specialist
- Evacuation Specialist
- Patient and Client Management Specialist
WORDS TO LIVE BY
In the end, only 3 things matter:
- How much you loved;
- How gently you lived;
- And how gracefully you let go of the things not meant for you
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
- I’m passionate about delivering ‘Healthcare with a human touch’, every day
- Triple evacuation involving 2 air ambulances and 3 critical patients
- Successful long-range evacuation of 3 pre-term triplet new-born babies
- I bought my own Harley Davidson after dreaming about and saving for it for 10 years
Aron Sharman
Managing Director – Life Solutions
more info
EXPERIENCE
- Over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry
- Worked for six years in audit services with Ernst and Young, followed by 3 years working as a financial adviser
- Worked in insurance and financial products distribution in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia since 2004
- Joined the Unisure team in late 2015 to lead the Asian distribution before being appointed Managing Director of the Individual Life division in 2019
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Fat guys are harder to kidnap.” – Anonymous
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Speaking to the widow of our first insured life to pass away. This short and simple conversation reinforced for me why we do the job we do.
Head of Distribution – Africa
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EXPERIENCE
- More than 25 years’ experience in sales, operations and marketing across various industry types
- More than 10 years’ experience working in wellness and insurance
- Previously responsible for managing Bupa Global’s Africa portfolio
EDUCATION
Currently studying towards a BA degree
WORDS TO LIVE BY
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And be present!
PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT
To constantly strive to be the best version of myself, and to bring out the best in others.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Working for a large international organisation and being headhunted to join The Unisure Group team to head up the Sales and Distribution. It’s a true journey of growth, and allows me to focus on my passion for people and support the sales team to reach their greatest levels of success yet.
Daniel van der Merwe
Head of IPMI
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EXPERIENCE
- Spanning a career of close to 25 years, extensive experience in private healthcare financing, in South Africa and the broader African continent
- Held various senior and executive positions, travelled and worked extensively across the African continent
- Holds a particular interest and passion for medical insurance and making quality private healthcare accessible to the broader public
EDUCATION
- Legally trained executive and graduate from the University of Johannesburg and University of the Witwatersrand
- BA (Law), BA Hons (Employment Law) and Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Ethics
- Completed various regulatory and complimentary courses and studies advancing the scope of my knowledge and responsibilities
WORDS TO LIVE BY
I have always found inspiration in the words of Madiba, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
I have been fortunate to have several career highlights, but the proudest moments of my life are linked to my lovely wife, Anita and daughter, Pineki.
Loura Joubert
Head of Marketing
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EXPERIENCE
- More than 13 years’ experience in the healthcare and insurance industries (in marketing, branding and events)
- Previously held a position as General Manager: Brand, Design and Events at a leading South African healthcare provider
EDUCATION
- Honours degree in Graphic Design
- BPhil honours degree in Marketing Management, through the internationally-recognised IMM Graduate School
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Everything happens for a reason.” – Anonymous
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Joining the group to start the Unisure Marketing Department in 2018 and seeing the immense successes and growth since then
Niel Liebenberg
Head of Health Operations
more info
EXPERIENCE
- More than 15 years’ experience in health operations and analytics
- More than 10 years’ serving on various industry bodies
EDUCATION
- MBA in Health Operations
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Information Technology
- Currently enrolled for a Doctorate in health analytics
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Don’t burn the day away.” – Dave Matthews
10 SECONDS OF FAME
I am releasing my first studio album and have my very own YouTube channel.
BRAGGING RIGHTS
I am an Excel wizard (I think).
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Joining the Unisure team and knowing that I have the ability, and more so, the opportunity, to affect positive change.
Amanda White
Head of HR
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EXPERIENCE
- Having several years’ experience in Human Resources, I thrive on my passion of a people-centric approach to create a better business, a better world, and a better ‘you’. That innovation happens by attracting, developing, and retaining the best talent; as well as developing outside partnerships to empower such initiatives. My key purpose is to invigorate everyone at The Unisure Group to bring their purpose to life through the work that they do, all the while taking the company to greater heights.
EDUCATION
-
BCom in Human Resources
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Joining the Unisure Group and being able to position HR as a business partner leader for excellence and passion amongst our incredible people and partners.
WORDS TO LIVE BY
A famous Henry Ford quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” I love that it emphasises how much attitude determines success or failure.
DAVID GARDINER
HEAD OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING & DATA
more info
EXPERIENCE
- 20 years+ experience in web development and custom app creation
- Strong background in cyber security and data protection
- Full stack development skills, including various programming languages and server setups
- Good knowledge of the insurance business and bridging the gap between insurance industry needs and IT solutions
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT
Is this really the best way we can be doing this?
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
I’ve had many things I’ve enjoyed doing, over many years of working on contracts to help companies get set up with their special projects, but the highlight definitely came when I first started working with some of the people in Unisure and was given the opportunity to build something from scratch. It’s been a great journey seeing the growth of a company from the early beginnings to what it is now, and I look forward to seeing where it goes in the future.
BRAGGING RIGHTS
When I was at school, I earned my first pay cheques creating weekly cartoons for the teenager’s section in our regional newspaper. (They weren’t very good though!)
The Unisure Group is a proud supporter
of the Rhino Protection Project
Our Support
Wildlife conservation is close to our hearts, which is why we’re delighted to announce our corporate support of the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust’s Rhino Protection Project.
Rhino Protection
Today, there are fewer than 24 500 rhinos surviving in the wild. Rhino protection is a critical cause and has become the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust’s primary conservation project.
Fundraising
The Rhino Protection Project relies heavily on fundraising and donations to keep rhino poaching at bay, through equipping and training field rangers, for example, and running a dedicated K9 unit.
Find out more
To learn more about the work that the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust does, to help raise awareness about this critical cause, and/or to make a donation click the icon below
Giving back to the planet
– by planting one tree at a time
At The Unisure Group, we’re passionate about conservation and sustainability. We’re always looking for ways in which we can give back as a business, which is how our partnership with Tree-Nation was born.
Tree-Nation is a non-profit organisation on a mission to reforest the world. Because planting trees is one of the most efficient solutions to fight climate change, their focus is to helps individuals and companies to plant trees all around the world and offset their CO2 emissions.
Our pledge
For every 10 new Unisure members we sign up, we pledge to plant 1 tree.
The impact
For every 1 acre of trees that we plant, we’re providing the planet with the oxygen requirements to sustain 12 people for an entire year. Just imagine what we can contribute when we’ve planted enough trees to form a Unisure forest.
Sharing the love
We’ll keep our employees and members up to date on our progress and educate them around the positive benefits of our company contributing towards both reforestation and offsetting carbon emissions around the world.
