Alexforbes saw assets under management and administration grow 22% to R733 billion in the year ended March 31, 2026, supported by favourable markets and exceptional new business, particularly in retail and platform assets.
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With retirement fund members becoming more engaged with their retirement funding journey, Alexforbes says it will continue with its strategy of extending its leading positions across administration, retirement and health consulting, and investments.
In the annual report released Friday, chairman Kuseni Dlamini said there is increased integration of ESG (environment, social, and governance factors) into business strategy and operations, and there is a growing awareness of the need to apply ESG principles to the management of risks, such as climate change, which could erode long-term savings.
“As a South Africa-based business, Alexforbes has established the Infrastructure Impact Fund of Funds that aims to respond to growing interest in infrastructure investments following National Treasury's approval of South African retirement funds investing up to 45% in infrastructure. The fund combines the opportunity of good investment returns with a contribution to economic growth and transformation,” he said in the report.
He said the group had benefited from favourable regulatory reform and strong investment markets of late, but it is the strategic response to these opportunities that had afforded the group greater competitive advantage.
“The board exercises strategic oversight by setting and reviewing the group’s strategy. We engage in robust debate with the executive team during routine strategy reviews and offer strategic guidance where necessary. The group’s strong performance across several financial and non-financial dimensions in 2026 is a consequence of consistent execution of a strategy implemented to future-proof Alexforbes. It also reflects our understanding of how to create value for our stakeholders,” said Dlamini.
He said that even in the current volatile and unpredictable operating environment, considering the global geopolitical and macro-economic environment, the year ahead offered opportunities for Alexforbes to build on the positive momentum it had gained in recent years.
“Our primary focus will be on our clients and customers maintaining and improving the consistency and excellence of our service and solutions, and strengthening our brand as an impactful investment destination,” he said.
He said that as South Africa’s largest investment multimanager, ESG and impact considerations had been incorporated into their investment practices.
“Beyond our focus on internal transformation, our investments business drives positive change in the asset management industry through the application of its transformation efforts. These go beyond compliance with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) regulations, aiming to foster diversity and ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability. We have seen progressive improvements in our own business, with the majority of asset managers in our portfolios demonstrating significant strides in diversity and broad-based representation,” he said.
Regulatory reform, economic pressure, and the need for greater inclusivity were driving “profound transformation of the South African retirement industry.”
The primary force shaping the industry was the two-pot retirement system to balance immediate financial needs with long-term savings. The two-pot system supports compulsory preservation by ensuring that the bulk of retirement funds stay invested until retirement to improve long-term financial outcomes.
“By urging direct engagement between retirement funds and retirement fund members, regulatory reform has opened the opportunity for the industry to provide advice and investment services directly to individual members who are retiring or wanting to invest discretionary funds. This opportunity is facilitated by technological advances that enable companies like Alexforbes to communicate, educate, and process claims more efficiently at scale,” said Dlamini.
CEO Dawie de Villiers said Alexforbes had developed a strong operating rhythm. “The energy and focus across our teams are evident, and this gives us confidence as we move into the new financial year.”
“Our responsibility now is to deliver with discipline. That means meeting the immediate needs of the business while continuing to build long-term, sustainable value for our stakeholders. It means staying focused and accountable, ensuring the momentum we have built translates into tangible outcomes,” he said.
He said their three-year group-wide initiative to establish Alexforbes Investments as a credible and preferred investment partner to individual investors in South Africa continues to gain momentum.
“Elements of this ambition are already visible in operating indicators. We continued to see strong institutional business flows, including platform assets, and retail inflows have maintained an upward trend. These are the types of proof points that underpin credibility when positioning an investment proposition to sophisticated audiences,” he said.
He said retail remains a key growth platform. “We continue to build targeted solutions that enhance advice delivery, strengthen asset retention, and expand clients’ choices throughout their financial journeys. New and improved offerings across discretionary portfolios, model solutions, and offshore investing are being supported by continued investment in digital platforms and adviser enablement.”
He said they had commenced the decommissioning of legacy fund administration platforms into a single fund administration system across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. “Our objective is improved client experience, cost efficiency, and scalability over the medium term,” he said.
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