Old Mutual Names Ranen Thakurdin CFO Designate for 2026

Old Mutual has named current Group Chief Risk Officer Ranen Thakurdin as its new CFO designate, with the transition set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The move follows a period of financial performance for the insurer, which reported an 11% increase in results from operations per share for the first half of 2026.

Thakurdin will succeed current CFO Casper Troskie, who is scheduled to retire at the end of April 2026. This appointment occurs as the company manages a leadership reshuffle intended to maintain continuity during its current growth phase.

"These appointments reflect a well-considered succession process and demonstrate the depth of our leadership bench, enabling us to navigate change with clarity and confidence," said Jurie Strydom, CEO of Old Mutual, in a statement regarding the transition.

Internal Career Progression

Thakurdin has been with Old Mutual since 2018. During his tenure, he has held several financial and operational roles that provided him with institutional knowledge:

• Group Chief Risk Officer: His current role, where he oversaw the firm's risk management framework.
• Chief Accountant: Provided oversight of the company's financial reporting standards.
• Head of Capital and Balance Sheet Optimisation: Managed the firm's capital allocation strategies.

Financial Backdrop

The leadership change coincides with momentum in the company's core business segments. According to a report by Business Day, Old Mutual’s results from operations reached 126.3c per share for the first half of 2026. Additionally, the company saw Life APE (Annual Premium Equivalent) sales and gross flows both increase by 21% compared to the prior period.

Succession and Strategic Continuity

For investors and stakeholders, the transition involves a shift from a long-tenured CFO to an internal candidate who has managed the group's balance sheet and risk profile. By announcing the designate status months in advance, Old Mutual plans to ensure a handover period that spans the first four months of 2026. This timeline allows Thakurdin to work alongside Troskie before assuming full responsibility for the group's financial reporting and capital management strategy in May 2026.