David Itzkovits

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | BOSTON, USA

David was appointed as CEO of Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in 2017.

David has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry and has worked in various positions with top international companies including an entrepreneurial start-up which was acquired by a $100 billion global investment firm. Prior to this, David worked for the offshore arm of Old Mutual as Regional Director in Europe and Canada, where he was responsible for all business developments. He was also Vice President at HSBC Private Bank in New York where he co-managed a $635 million portfolio of investment, credit and insurance for high-net-worth clients.

David is an acknowledged thought leader in the use of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) in the investments industry and is an international keynote speaker on the subject. He has been instrumental in driving the use of Ai in investment management, especially within the Sanlam Group, which also offers a UCITS fund utilising Ai in the decision-making process.

David is a CFA charterholder, obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from McGill University and holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the Ivey Business School at Western University.

Dennis Burger

HEAD OF GLOBAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS | MIAMI, USA

Dennis first joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in 2013 and is currently the Head of Global Strategic Partnerships as well as a member of the executive team. Dennis has 36 years’ financial industry experience. His international experience includes working across Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the USA.

He has held various executive positions and worked for numerous international companies including Old Mutual, TriAlpha, Castlestone Management, Nedbank Private Bank and Alexander Forbes.

Dennis holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and BA Honours Degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Johannesburg, as well as obtained a Certified Financial Planning Certificate (CFP) at the UK Institute of Financial Planning.

Gideon Nell

HEAD OF SALES AND GLOBAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS | CASCAIS, PORTUGAL

Gideon joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in June 2014 to help manage business development of Sanlam Investments’ international capabilities and is a member of the executive team. In addition, Gideon has responsibility for Global Financial Institutions and establishing an institutional presence globally.

Prior to joining Sanlam, Gideon spent five years as a partner at Armstrong Investment Managers, focussing on corporate strategy and business development. He previously worked at Insight Investment as Sales Director – Europe and Offshore Centres. Before moving to the UK in 2002, Gideon started his career in financial services in 1998 as a private client portfolio manager at Appleton in South Africa.

Gideon completed an IMM at the IMM Graduate School (South Africa), an ICMC from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (UK), an FPC from the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) and an IMC via BPP University from the CFA Society (UK).

Lizelle Solomons

OPERATIONS MANAGER | CAPE TOWN, SA

Lizelle joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in September 2018 and is a member of the executive team. Her key responsibility is to manage the operational aspects of the business.

Since joining the Sanlam Group in 2007, she has become a client service specialist who has held numerous client relations and communications positions giving her unique insights into the business, while gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Lizelle has received numerous accolades for innovation, client experience as well as awarded a CEO award for being Performance Driven.

Lizelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Communication Science from the University of South Africa and is a Prince 2 Practitioner. She is currently pursuing her BA Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication.

Gavin Meiring

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR | JOHANNESBURG, SA

Gavin is the Head of Business Development in South Africa. He joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in July 2018 and fulfilled various marketing and sales roles including the formulation of Sanlam’s artificial intelligence investment management capability message.

He has a strong Financial Services and offshore banking background, having worked with international brands, including: Standard Bank, Old Mutual International and the Virgin Group.

He has a particular interest in the use of technology and how it can be leveraged to drive business growth.

Gavin obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) through the Australian Institute of Business and is currently pursuing his PhD in Corporate Governance.

Mark Kaplan

HEAD OF AMERICAS | NEW YORK, USA

Mark joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in 2009 and is the Head of the Americas region. He has been primarily involved in the global distribution and marketing of international financial service products for the past 15 years in the Americas, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Prior to Sanlam Global Investment Solutions, Mark held Head of Sales and Marketing roles with numerous companies. He was also a former ATP tennis professional ranked #117 in the world.

Jorge Gutierrez

VICE PRESIDENT AMERICAS | MIAMI, USA

Jorge joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in 2015 and is the Vice President for the Americas. He has over 20 years’ investment sales experience in retail and wholesale US offshore and Latin American markets.

Prior to Sanlam Global Investment Solutions, Jorge served as Head of Offshore Distribution for a US asset manager for about for 10 years. He also worked for a UK private banking institution serving high-net-worth Latin American clients from Argentina and Chile.

Carlos Enrique Mahecha

VICE PRESIDENT AMERICAS | BOSTON, USA

Carlos joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in March 2021 as Vice President Americas. He has over 14 years’ experience in distributing offshore mutual funds and establishing successful relationships with advisors.

Prior to Sanlam Global Investment Solutions, Carlos worked in various roles for companies such as Eaton Vance Distributors, Fidelity Investments and Ameriprise Financial. He does voluntary work in helping small business owners through SCORE, an organization affiliated to the Small Business Administration.

Carlos holds a Master of International Business (MIB) from The University of Melbourne. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and obtained a postgraduate degree in Finance from Los Andes University. Lastly, he holds a Life and Health Insurance license for the state of Massachusetts, as well as Series 7, 63 and 65 certifications.

Giles Boeree

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR | HONG KONG, CHINA

Giles joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in 2018 and is the Regional Sales Director responsible for business development in the Far East.

Giles is a financial services executive with more than 30 years broad experience in building multi-channel distribution for life companies, funds houses and alternative asset managers in Europe, the Middle East and for the last 18 years in the Far East.

Swati Prabhudesai

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR | DUBAI, UAE

Swati joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in January 2020 and is the Regional Sales Director for the Middle East.

Swati has more than 20 years’ experience with multi-functional roles in international & local organisations in UAE which include Citibank NA, Standard Chartered Bank, NBQ, FGB and Continental Financial Services. She has worked with special emphasis in the areas of Wealth Management, Investment Services, Insurance (High Value Life Insurances), Business & Sales Management, Retail assets and Branch Banking, Recruiting and Managing sales teams, and Developing and Managing new corporate alliances.

Swati obtained a post graduate Master of Arts (MA) degree in Sociology from Pune University. She also holds a diploma in Foreign Trade with International Finance from Symbiosis Pune and is a CII Certificate Holder.

Sachika Prabhudesai

ASSISTANT ACCOUNT MANAGER | DUBAI, UAE

Sachika joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in January 2021 and is the Assistant Account Manager for the Middle East.

Prior to joining Sanlam, Sachika completed numerous financial services, human resources, sales and marketing internships for companies such as Blue Apple Financial and Marketing Consulting Agency, Continental Financial Services, Noor Bank, Larsen and Toubro Financial Services.

Sachika holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Management and Finance from the University of Warwick.

Ayanda Khoza

DATA AND ANALYTICS MANAGER | CAPE TOWN, SA

Ayanda joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in 2018 and is the Data and Analytics Manager within the investments team.

Ayanda has several years’ experience in wealth and portfolio management within the financial services industry. Prior to joining Sanlam, Ayanda held various junior roles in wealth management and began her career at Nedbank, one of the largest banks in South Africa.

Ayanda holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree in Economics and Econometrics from the University of Johannesburg and an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of South Africa.

Vestal De Waal

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | CAPE TOWN, SA

Vestal joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in 2014 and is the executive assistant to the CEO.

She has over 20 years’ experience in various administrative and coordinating roles. Vestal graduated from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology with a Diploma in Office Administration.

Zonia Payne

OPERATIONS SPECIALIST | CAPE TOWN, SA

Zonia joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in April 2019 and is the Operations Specialist within the Operations team, focussing on the financial aspects of the business.

Previously, Zonia was with State Street Corporation for 7 years, where she held numerous roles including Trade Processor, Pension Fund Accountant, Fund Set Up Processor and Client Service Representative.

Zonia holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree and a BCom Honours in Finance and Investments from the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

Keagan Barnes

ANALYST | CAPE TOWN, SA

Keagan joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in February 2020 through the Sanlam Investments graduate programme. His primary role is an Analyst within Sanlam Global Investment Solutions with additional responsibilities throughout the business.

Prior to joining Sanlam, Keagan worked as a Project Administrator at the University of the Western Cape. During this period, Keagan was also the Chairperson of the Young Investors Programme at the UWC School of Business and Finance.

Keagan completed his Honours in Finance & Investments, holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree majoring in Investments and Information Systems, and completed the CFA Investment Foundation Programme.

Mohammed Parker

COMPLIANCE OFFER | CAPE TOWN, SA

Mohammed joined Sanlam Global Investment Solutions in September 2020 to fulfil the duties of the Compliance Officer.

Mohammed has several years’ experience in the SA banking and financial services environment. He started his career as a Criminal Law Attorney before taking on the role of an enhanced due diligence Analyst at Barclays Africa. He then moved to Refinitiv as a Case Management Analyst, gaining experience in both local and international banking. Prior to joining Sanlam Global Investment Solutions, he fulfilled the role of Compliance Officer at Old Mutual Wealth.

Mohammed obtained his LLB from the University of the Western Cape and is an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He also holds a certificate in Anti-Money Laundering from the University of Manchester.