ONE VISION. SEVEN VALUES.

ALWAYS PUTTING

PEOPLE FIRST

At The Unisure Group, we believe that strong company values drive employee excellence and create a space in which our business can thrive.

These are the words that we live by:  

Our vision is to be a loved and trusted
global insurance provider, protecting
one million families every year.

We are a purpose-driven organisation, powered by a forward-thinking, growth mindset.

We actively seek new opportunities that cater to the evolving needs of our customers, guided by our vision to be a loved and trusted global insurance provider.

Customer obsession is in our DNA. We are obsessed with exceeding our stakeholders’ and our partners’ expectations and being there for them, especially when they need us most.

Every interaction is an opportunity to create a positive impact through compassion and kindness. We act with tenacity and urgency.

We lead by example, not by title. We give credit where it’s due, we ask for help when needed, and we offer help to others.

We take accountability for our decisions and actions. We create a culture of reliability, collaboration, radical transparency, and mutual respect.

The best ideas win, regardless of hierarchy. We encourage diverse perspectives and insights.

We harness the power of data and analytics to ensure that our decisions and strategies are contextually and empirically grounded.

We treat the company’s assets with the utmost care. We prioritise the long-term sustainability of our organisation, diligently monitoring and assessing risks to safeguard the best interests of our stakeholders.

We create a collaborative and inclusive environment where diverse talents and perspectives coalesce to achieve our shared goals.

By working together as a team, we can accomplish more than we could do individually.

“We are accountable for our values, and that shows our partners and our people that we are a company of integrity. If we want to live up to our vision to be a loved and trusted global insurer, we need be true to our word and show clients, brokers and stakeholders that our whole company operates according to these values.”

- Barry Sundelson, CEO, The Unisure Group -

PEOPLE

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.

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 tomorrows. 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.

 Management 

DR GRAHAM WOOLFORD

CHAIRMAN

Founding shareholder of The Unisure Group with over 35 years’ worth of experience running multinational corporations across numerous industries. Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, and a Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary. Completed a Doctorate at Edinburgh Business School.

“True happiness comes from helping and being kind to others – every single day. This is the true ethos of The Unisure Group.”

Stephen Conway

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and of the Personal Finance Society. Over 28 years’ experience in the international life assurance business, including as Head of Sales and Marketing of Lloyds Bank Offshore and as Regional Manager for Africa at Zurich International.

“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.”

BARRY SUNDELSON

GROUP CEO

Qualified Charted Accountant with over 19 years’ experience working for Discovery Financial Services, most recently as 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.

“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

 Heads of Departments

SARAH DRANSFIELD

HEAD OF LEGAL & COMPLIANCE

Solicitor with four years’ post-qualification experience as an Insurance Litigation Lawyer at DAC Beachcroft and ten years’ regulatory supervisory experience at the FCA. Previously held the position of Financial Services Lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright. Proud trustee of Smile Train UK, the international cleft palate charity.

“All I want is compliance with my wishes, after reasonable discussion.” – Winston Churchill

LOUIS HYATT

HEAD OF GROUP LIFE & DISABILITY

Over a decade’s worth of experience in the insurance industry, ranging from operations, reserving and reporting, to underwriting and risk management. Experienced in performance management analysis, operations and underwriting functions. Previously worked for Lloyd’s Syndicate 44. Currently strategically developing Unisure’s Group Life and Disability divisions’ profitably.

“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.”

Kiara Risely

GROUP CFO

Completed an honours degree in Accounting at Stellenbosch University, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant while doing articles at PwC in Banking and Capital Markets. Previously worked as a manager in Business Restructuring Services (Corporate Finance) at PwC South Africa.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle

PIERRE ROSSOUW

GROUP CHIEF RISK OFFICER

Completed a BCom Mathematical Sciences degree at the University of Stellenbosch, followed by an MSc in Financial Management (with distinction) at Edinburgh Business School (Herriot-Watt University). More than 5 years’ experience working as a risk specialist with insurers and reinsurers across Africa and worldwide.

“It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”

CRISTINA MEIXIEIRA

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Over 25 years’ industry experience as an International Emergency Response Assistance & Evacuation Specialist and as a Patient and Client Management Specialist. Career highlights include facilitating a triple evacuation involving two air ambulances and three critical patients, as well as a successful long-range evacuation of three pre-term triplet babies.

“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.”

Aron Sharman

MANAGING DIRECTOR – LIFE INSURANCE

Over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Worked for six years in audit services with Ernst and Young, followed by three years working as a financial adviser. Extensive experience working in insurance and financial products distribution in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia since 2004.

“I’ll never forget speaking to the widow of our first insured life after the policyholder had passed away. This short and simple conversation reinforced for me why we do the job we do.”

CHANTELLE LAVENDER

HEAD OF GLOBAL SALES & DISTRIBUTION

More than 25 years’ experience in sales, operations and marketing across various industry types, and over 10 years’ experience working in wellness and insurance. Previously managed Bupa Global’s Africa portfolio. Currently heading up Unisure’s Global Sales and Distribution division.

“Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And be present!”

LOURA JOUBERT

HEAD OF MARKETING

Honours degree in Graphic Design and BPhil honours degree in Marketing Management. 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.

“Everything happens for a reason.” – Anonymous

NIEL LIEBENBERG

HEAD OF HEALTH OPERATIONS

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Information Technology, and an MBA in Health Operations. Currently enrolled for a Doctorate in health analytics. More than 15 years’ experience in health operations and analytics, and more than 10 years’ serving on various industry bodies.

“Don’t burn the day away.” – Dave Matthews

AMANDA WHITE

HEAD OF HR

Holds a BCom in Human Resources and boasts several years’ experience working in Human Resources in the corporate sector. Amanda adopts a people-centric approach to help employers and employees bring out their best selves to create better businesses and a better world.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford

David Gardiner

HEAD OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING & DATA

Strong background in cyber security and data protection, with 20 years+ experience in web development and custom app creation. Boasts full stack development skills, including various programming languages and server setups. Extensive experience in the insurance industry, bridging the gap between insurance industry needs and IT solutions.

“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

  MEET OUR NEW TEAMMATES AND TRAILBLAZERS

Paul Harding

Senior Business Development Manager

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Natalie Bosman

Head of Digital & Communications

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

David Gardiner

Head of Software Engineering & Data

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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