By The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) has announced the appointment of Ms Lizelle van der Merwe as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 4 January 2027. Van der Merwe, who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa (FIA), will step into her new role following the retirement of long-standing CEO Viviene Pearson.
Pearson will officially step down on 31 December 2026 after more than two decades of dedicated service to SAIA and the non-life insurance sector.
A Wealth of Industry Experience
Van der Merwe brings nearly three decades of specialized expertise to the position. Having commenced her career in 1996, her 29-year professional footprint spans both insurance and brokerage operations.
Over this extensive career, she has cultivated deep proficiencies in corporate strategy development and execution, sales leadership, and comprehensive organizational management. She has led the FIA as its CEO since 2016.
Beyond her executive management track record, van der Merwe is heavily integrated into national and international financial sector governance frameworks. Her key leadership roles include:
- Serving as a Board member of the Financial Sector Transformation Council (FSTC).
- Representing the industry on Business Unity South Africa’s (BUSA) Social, Economic and Trade Policy committees.
- Functioning as an Executive Council member of the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries (WFII).
Her academic credentials include a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, supplementary qualifications in Sales and Financial Management, and designation as an Associate Member of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA).
Leadership Confidence and Strategic Continuity
SAIA Chairperson Mr Danie Matthee welcomed the appointment, emphasizing van der Merwe’s suitability to steer the organization through its upcoming strategic phases.
“On behalf of the SAIA Board, I extend our warm congratulations to Lizelle on her appointment. Her extensive industry experience, proven leadership and understanding of the financial services landscape will be invaluable as SAIA continues to advance its strategic priorities and strengthen its role as the representative voice of South Africa’s non-life insurance industry,” said Matthee.
Matthee further underscored the operational challenges facing the sector, noting that the association looks forward to her guidance in navigating an increasingly complex risk environment, deepening stakeholder collaboration, and driving resilience and long-term sustainability across the non-life insurance landscape.
Honoring an Enduring Legacy
The leadership transition marks the conclusion of an era for SAIA under outgoing CEO Viviene Pearson. Matthee paid glowing tribute to Pearson’s decades of stewardship, highlighting her unwavering commitment to advancing sector interests, building constructive stakeholder relationships, and cementing SAIA’s stature as a respected industry body.
“On behalf of the Board and SAIA’s membership, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Viviene for her exceptional dedication, leadership and service over the years,” Matthee stated, wishing her fulfilment as she embarks on her retirement.
