Sanlam UK appoints chairman and grows regional presence

Sanlam UK has appointed a new chairman as it looks to further expand its footprint in the country.

Johan van der Merwe has been appointed to the newly-created position as the multinational financial services group sets its sights on becoming a major player in the UK wealth management and fund management industry.

Van der Merwe joined South-African based Sanlam Investment Management in 2002 as chief executive officer. Prior to this, he was global sector head of resources at Investec Asset Management.

He started his career at Deloitte and Touche before joining Gencor's Corporate Finance division.

"We believe a key driver of sustainable growth is the ability to successfully connect clients to investment teams and their solutions," said van der Merwe. "And that is precisely the opportunity that presents itself with Sanlam UK.

"Sanlam UK has an established and growing distribution network. We are excited at the prospect of strengthening this further."

The appointment comes on the back of Sanlam UK subsidiary Sanlam Private Wealth establishing two new regional offices in Bristol and the City of London.

The offices are staffed by financial planners who have come through the firm's graduate training and development programme.

Sanlam Private Wealth CEO Nigel Speirs (pictured) said the regional expansion followed the busiest summer in the firm's history.