Old Mutual Corporate Podcast

The Conduct of Financial Institutions bill, or COFI, is coming soon. We all need to ask ourselves whether we are making meaningful shifts in the lives of retirement fund members – and if we can prove it. The emphasis is shifting away from tick-box compliance toward outcomes that can be demonstrated. So, what do employers and trustees need to know about how the COFI Bill will impact their governanc...

Two-Pot is working as it should. Are there high withdrawals? Yes. But are there reasons to celebrate? Also yes. We are starting to see green shoots of progress. The next step is to grow these gains and ensure they translate into lasting change.   Our analysts have a prediction of how long it will be until we shift the longstanding 6% retirement readiness statistic. Tune in to find out when that is...

What are the trends in employee benefits, what can data tell us about human behaviour, and what messages should intermediaries be sharing with their clients right now? Find the answers in this highlights package of the March 2026 Employee Benefits Forum webinar, hosted by Old Mutual Corporate.     Our featured guests were Lindiwe Sebesho, Managing Director of Remchannel,  Izak Odendaal; Investment...

Every generation believes it is worse off than its predecessors, but perhaps Generation Z has a stronger case than most. Amidst a cost of living crisis, with Gen Z graduate salaries down 21% in real terms, what can employers do to help younger team members start to think longer term and save?  The answer lies in linking purpose and passion with an unavoidable truth: financial stability is the foun...

Fierce competition for critical skills has become the new hallmark of our employment landscape. Instead of staying in jobs for the big bonus or paycheque, those lucky enough to be in demand are increasingly prioritising workplace culture and their wellbeing.   Studies show that even in a tough economy, many skilled employees are still choosing to resign from their jobs in search of greener pasture...

The world is full of conflict and uncertainty, and executives are under a lot of pressure. How will the uneven global economy affect demand and margins? Will funding conditions tighten? How will energy reforms translate into growth, and where are the biggest long-term opportunities?   The cause for hope is that our economy is more resilient than we realise. Izak Odendaal, Old Mutual’s Investment S...

Different generations have unique experiences of the world and their workplaces. By 2030, over 75% of the workforce will be millennials and Gen Zs, so things are shifting rapidly. In a 2025 Deloitte survey, it was found that Gen Z take work-life balance very seriously, with only 6% saying that their primary career goal is to reach a leadership position. Yet these employees will still need to be ab...

We spend most of our waking lives at work, making the workplace the most powerful platform for fostering financial wellness. Without the employers’ facilitation or participation, our savings levels in South Africa would be far lower. So how can we make the most of this to improve employee outcomes on a large scale?    In this episode of Big Business Insights, brought to you by Old Mutual Corporate...

Adaptability, fluency and flexibility. These are the essential skills of business leaders as they face the coming decade, in which 59% of workers will need to completely re-skill. This isn't just a challenge – it's a matter of survival, defined by rapid technological shifts and unique local complexities.  In this episode of Big Business Insights, brought to you by Old Mutual Corporate, host Blessi...

In today's compliance-driven employee benefits environment, employers are wondering how to create connection and cohesion, and manage costs while remaining competitive.   This MINDSPACE soundbite, inspired by the February edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter, shares the three major trends that emerged from the Remchannel 2025 Employee Benefits Guide.    Out of 60 organisations, collectively employi...

The number of registered retirement funds in South Africa has collapsed from almost 16 000 in 2000 to fewer than 5 000 in 2023. Currently, only around 870 of the registered funds are active. For companies, this is a chance to fundamentally redesign employee benefits to help deliver substantially better financial outcomes for their people. In this episode of Big Business Insights, brought to you by...

For many South Africans, life is a balancing act. The Competition Commission’s September 2025 Cost of Living report found that the average worker spends over 57% of their income on transport and electricity. It’s easy to see why financial planning and saving may feel like luxuries.    The Two-Pot system has been a step in the right direction: it gives South Africans access to a portion of their sa...

In 1950, the average global life expectancy was about 46. Today, we’re marching closer to the 100 mark. But that means that people are set to outlive their savings – in some cases by decades. We need to reimagine retirement.  This MINDSPACE soundbite, inspired by the January edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter, gives some ideas how. We reveal South Africa’s score in the 2025 Mercer CFA Institute G...

When South Africa’s Two-Pot System went live, many employers and retirement funds braced for uncertainty. How many members would withdraw? How quickly? And what would they use the money for? Now, more than a year on, the data has provided clarity. Listen to this episode to find out more.  This MINDSPACE soundbite is inspired by the November edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to sub...

What can we learn from other countries who have successfully moved from poverty to prosperity? Evidence from 60 years of data across 160 countries suggests that nations with high savings rates enjoy stronger and more sustained growth. What can business leaders and decision-makers do to make this a reality for South Africa? Listen to this episode to find out. This MINDSPACE soundbite is inspired by...

Our retirement system has seen significant improvements over the past few decades. But the pace of change is likely to accelerate, not slow down. What three trends are going to shape the future of the retirement industry over the next 10 to 15 years? Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss what innovation is needed to address the challenge of poor retirement outcomes for members, while...

What must South Africa do now to secure better retirement futures? A panel discussion sought to answer this question at the second annual Old Mutual Thought Leaders Forum in August 2025. In this special MINDSPACE Soundbite, we share the engaging dialogue and sound clips from the conversation. The panel comprised Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commissioner of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority; Chris Axe...

The industry is still buzzing with energy and ideas from the second annual Old Mutual Thought Leaders Forum, held on 12 August 2025. Listen to this special MINDSPACE Soundbite, which shares the engaging dialogue and diverse perspectives of the event.  Our esteemed speakers and panellists included Professor Adrian Saville of GIBS; Paul Watson, Principal at PDW Advisory; Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commiss...

We’re navigating a new world trade order. The world’s geopolitical landscape is shifting beneath our feet, with new alliances forming and old powers jostling for influence. South Africa finds itself walking a tightrope. On one side, geopolitical alliances and ideological narratives. On the other, the urgent need for economic growth, job creation, and the upliftment of ordinary South Africans. So,...

South Africa’s unemployment rate hovers above 30% – a staggering figure that demands urgent action. SMEs and startups are powerful engines for job creation, but only if they can grow and scale effectively. Our entrepreneurial ecosystem is gaining momentum, but we’re at a critical juncture. What can we learn from Europe and the US to help unlock our country’s potential? Join us for this MINDSPACE S...

We’ve recently seen a shift in the global aid landscape. Some of the world’s largest economies are pulling back on international aid to prioritise their domestic concerns. This raises an important question for South Africa: How do we create self-sustainability beyond foreign aid? Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss how we can better structure our economy to create sustainable progre...

For decision-makers, the challenge is clear: finding the right balance between productivity, culture, employee engagement, recruitment, and retention. How does hybrid work fit into this picture?  Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss the findings of a global study, the 2024 HP Work Relationship Index, on what employees and employers value most in the workplace. You might be surprised...

The post-COVID era has brought about significant changes in the workplace, introducing new work models, systems, and non-traditional income opportunities. This raises an important question: how will retirement look in a world where its traditional framework has evolved?  This thought-provoking topic is the focus of this episode of the Big Business Insights podcast, hosted by Blessing Utete, Managi...

The latest data from the World Economic Forum (WEF 2024) shows that women in 41 African countries earn, on average, 39% less than men and struggle to receive the same wage for the same job as their male colleagues. This season on the Big Business Insights podcast, we explore the evolving dynamics of the workplace, including the critical topic of gender equality. In this episode of Big Business Ins...

Silicon Valley is home to many of the world's largest tech companies, and thousands of startups. Why is it that this small area is a global epicentre for tech and innovation? The reason is that innovators and entrepreneurs there don’t seem to get discouraged when a pitch, a business plan, or an idea doesn’t work; they just go back and try again.  Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss...