Unpacking the Funeral Insurance Market in South Africa | with Pamela Hellig & Stefanus van der Linde

In this episode of In Focus with Insights, Pamela Hellig, Head of Insight Life Solutions, hosts a special edition of the Open Books series. This episode celebrates Insight's 10th anniversary and the last episode of 2024 with special guest, Barry Childs, Group CEO of Insight. Join Barry as he reflects on 10 years of Insight, lessons learnt along the way, and his personal journey and achievements as a healthcare actuary. The conversation also dives into Barry’s personal reading list, exploring both fiction and non-fiction authors that inspire his approach to leadership, systems thinking, and problem-solving. Barry’s diverse interests reflect a curious mind constantly seeking new perspectives. Tune in to hear insights on business, personal growth, and the books that have shaped this leader’s outlook. Barry’s author picks: Dr. Dan Ariely Edwards Deming Nassim Nicholas Taleb Eliyahu M Goldratt Muhammad Yunus Terry Pratchett Connect with Barry Childs & Insight Group on these platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrychilds/Insight Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barry.childs.9 X: https://x.com/barrychilds Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-actuaries-&-consultants/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insight_za/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

In this episode of In Focus with Insight, Pamela Hellig, Head of Insight Life Solutions, sits down with Costa Economou, the President of the Actuarial Society of South Africa and founder of Colourfield Liability Solutions. Costa, a highly accomplished actuary with an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a CFA, CAIA and CQF Charter holder, shares his remarkable professional journey and leadership insights. In this episode of Open Books, Costa shares his experiences of growing up as the son of Greek immigrants, begging for his first job on hands and knees (literally!) and the leap of faith he took into entrepreneurship. Costa also delves into how literature serves as both an intellectual challenge and a form of escapism amidst his demanding roles as CEO, President of the Actuarial Society, non-executive director of insurers, and father of twins. Tune in to discover Costa's favourite reads, his thoughts on the evolving actuarial profession, and how books and stories continue to inspire his leadership and vision for the future. Whether you’re a bibliophile, an actuarial professional, or simply curious about what drives an industry leader, this conversation offers a wealth of wisdom and inspiration. Costa’s book picks: A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela Rafa My Story by Rafael Nadal Connect with Costa Economou on these platforms Email: [email protected] or [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/costa-economou-b555361b/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

Join us for another episode of the Open Book series on "In Focus with Insight," where host Pamela Hellig dives into the world of books with leaders from the actuarial and insurance community. In this episode, Pamela sits down with Darren Behrendt, CEO of Investec Life (and holder of a PhD in Mathematics), to discuss his career journey, from academia to co-founding businesses across South Africa, Canada, and Europe. Darren shares his love of reading, the great adventure of fatherhood, and how the books he loves have shaped his leadership and vision for Investec Life. Darren’s book picks: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand Fooled by Randomness, Antifragile, Skin in the Game and The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb The Lessons of History by Will Durant and Ariel Durant The Body by Bill Bryson The Undoing Project and The Big Short by Michael Lewis The 100-Year Life by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffmann Connect with Darren Behrendt on these platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-behrendt-108b41b6/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

In this episode, we have an insightful conversation with Soshan Soobramoney, an accomplished actuary, lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, and co-founder of the Actuaries in the Making virtual vacation work programme. Soshan takes us through his remarkable journey – often reflected in the books he has read – from a successful corporate career to full-time academia. We cover the trauma that can be caused by actuarial studies (a topic Soshan is currently researching); the importance of being allowed to make mistakes; and the beauty of mathematics – a subject in which Soshan is currently pursuing his PhD. Throughout our discussion, we touch on the books that have significantly shaped his thinking and marked milestones and eras of his life. Soshan’s story offers a deep dive into education, personal development, and the power of fostering environments where independent thought thrives. Soshan’s book picks: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins The Promise That Changes Everything by Nancy Kline What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Bruce D. Perry Connect with Soshan Soobramoney & Insight Group on these platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soshan-soobramoney-8463704/ University of Johannesburg: https://www.uj.ac.za/members/soshan-soobramoney/

Join us in this episode of In Focus with Insight as Head of Insight Life Solutions, Pamela Hellig, sits down with Stefanus van der Linde, the Product Owner for Funeral business at MMH. Stefanus shares his insights into the funeral cover market, explaining the key differences between funeral cover and life cover, and unpacking the trends and challenges faced by insurers offering these products and their clientele. Going hand-in-hand with his passion for the market he serves and solving societal problems, is Stefanus’ leadership journey. He also delves into the importance of company culture, collaboration, and creating a psychologically safe work environment. Stefanus' reflections on leadership, team motivation, and the parallels with South Africa's economic landscape provide valuable lessons for both industry professionals and aspiring leaders. Don't miss this conversation that connects the dots between funeral insurance, leadership, and societal challenges in South Africa. Connect with Stefanus van der Linde on these platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanus-van-der-linde-042689325/ 🔗 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insight_za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insightactuaries LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-actuaries-&-consultants/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

In this episode of the Insight Podcast "In Focus," we welcome Dr. Michael Gone from Kenya to discuss his fascinating journey in the healthcare sector. Recorded at the Board of Health Funders Conference 2024, Dr. Gone shares his experiences and the significant strides Rwanda has made in its public healthcare system. Dr. Gone provides an overview of Rwanda's healthcare framework, highlighting the success of the Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme, which covers over 80% of the population. He explains the critical aspects that led to CBHI's success, such as compulsory enrolment and public sector service provision. Dive deep into the specifics of Rwanda's healthcare reforms, including the move towards capitation payment mechanisms and the role of the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) in managing funds and claims. Dr. Gone also discusses private sector engagement and the collaboration between public and private entities to enhance healthcare delivery in Rwanda. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the transformation of Rwanda's healthcare system and the lessons it offers for other nations. Connect with Dr. Michael Gone on these platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-gone/ 🔗 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insight_za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insightactuaries LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-actuaries-&-consultants/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

In this episode of In Focus with Insight, Pamela Hellig, Head of Insight Life Solutions, hosts a special edition of the Open Books series. This episode marks the celebration of Insight's 10th anniversary, with special guest Christoff Raath, CEO of Insight Actuarial Solutions. Christoff Raath, a renowned health actuary with over 20 years of experience, shares some of his life and career journey through the books that he has read and loved. Join the conversation as Christoff delves into his reading habits, from science fiction, fantasy and computer programming in high school to business literature and philosophy in his adult life. Don't miss this engaging discussion on Life, the Universe and Everything, all while celebrating a decade of Insight. Christoff's book picks: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell Bad Blood by John Carreyrou Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Connect with Chistoff Raath and Insight on these platforms: Christoff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoff-raath-66336a3/ Insight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-actuaries-&-consultants/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insight_za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insightactuaries/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

Welcome to In Focus with Insight! Hosted by Pamela Hellig, Head of Insight Life Solutions, the Open Books series delves into the inspiring stories of actuaries and the books that have shaped their professional and personal lives. In this episode, Pamela is joined by Rosanne Harris, a distinguished healthcare actuary with a rich career in the actuarial profession. Rosanne studied at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where she still teaches, and she qualified as an actuary in 1996. Throughout her career, Rosanne has made significant contributions to the actuarial community. She has chaired numerous committees, including the Health Committee, Transformation Committee, Tuition Committee, and the Education Board of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA). Notably, she served as ASSA president from 2016 to 2017 and was the president of the International Actuarial Association (IAA) in 2022. Currently, Rosanne heads the Policy and Regulatory Affairs Unit at Discovery Health and serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Statistics and Actuarial Science. Join Pamela and Rosanne as they explore Rosanne's career journey, her work on phenomena such as Covid and NHI, and the books that have influenced her along the way. This episode offers a blend of professional insights and literary inspiration, perfect for anyone interested in how actuaries can contribute to solving societal problems, healthcare, or a love of reading. Roseanne's book picks: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Justice: A Personal Account by Edwin Camerom Animal Farm by George Orwell Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell Connect with Roseanne Harris on these platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roseanne-harris-73175112/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Open Books podcast on In Focus with Insight! Hosted by Pamela Hellig, Head of Insight Life Solutions, this series explores the lives and careers of fascinating individuals in the actuarial and insurance communities through the lens of the books that have influenced them. In this episode, Pamela sits down with Elsa Beytell, Head of the Internal Consulting Unit at Old Mutual. She has a wealth of experience in the global financial sector, having worked in SA and the UK. She started her career in South Africa before moving to the UK where she predominantly worked at Old Mutual Plc and at Swiss Re. After 12 years in the UK Elsa return to South Africa where she was the Managing Director of OMART, a cell captive life insurer, before she joined the Internal Consultancy at the end of 2021. Join us as Elsa shares insights into her career, her passion for books, and how literature has shaped her professional journey. From her early love of reading to the impactful leadership lessons drawn from classics like Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" and Edith Eger's "The Choice", Elsa's story is one of resilience, growth, and eternal curiosity. Don't miss this episode as we delve into Elsa's experiences, her approach to leadership, and the innovative projects keeping her busy at Old Mutual. Whether you're an avid reader, an insurance professional, or someone interested in personal development, this conversation promises to be enlightening and inspiring. Elsa’s book picks: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl The Choice by Edith Eger Books by Jim Collins and Clayton Christianson When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi Think again by Adam Grant Daring Greatly by Brené Brown Connect with Elsa Beytell on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsa-beytell-558a96/ Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/

In the latest episode of our Open Books series on the In Focus with Insight podcast, viewers are in for a treat as host Pamela Hellig, Head of Insight Life Solutions, picks the brain of Louis Rossouw, an esteemed figure in the actuarial community. Louis, serving as the Segment Head of Research and Analytics at Gen Re, as well as on the ASSA Council, brings a wealth of expertise and curiosity to the table. Many in the actuarial community are familiar with Louis's engaging presentations showcased at conventions and seminars, where he shares his ground-breaking research and insights. Join us as we delve into Louis Rossouw's literary journey, uncovering the books that have shaped his perspectives and inspired his remarkable contributions to the field. Louis' book picks: The Foundation Universe by Isaac Asimov Middle Earth by JRR Tolkien The Discworld Series Terry Pratchett The Space Odyssey series by Arthur C Clarke Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder Connect with Louis Rossouw on these platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisrossouw/ Twitter or X: https://twitter.com/lrossouw Blog: https://unsupervised.online/ GitHub: https://github.com/lrossouw Gen Re website: https://www.genre.com/us/knowledge/contributors/louis-rossouw Visit our website: https://www.insight.co.za/