South African executive Howard Walker leaves Liberty after 8 years, joins Sanlam’s board

Sanlam, Africa’s leading insurer, has appointed seasoned financial services executive Howard Walker as an independent non-executive director, effective August 11, 2026, following his resignation from Liberty Holdings. The appointment underscores Sanlam’s strategy to strengthen governance, enhance board independence, and reinforce long-term leadership depth.

The appointment follows Howard Walker’s resignation from the boards of Liberty Holdings Limited and Liberty Group Limited on August 7, bringing to a close an eight-year tenure that began in September 2018. His transition comes as Sanlam intensifies its focus on succession planning and strategic oversight across its insurance, asset management and financial advisory operations.

Strengthening board independence and expertise

Howard Walker joins Sanlam with decades of experience across insurance, employee benefits and healthcare, reinforcing the group’s governance depth. The board said his appointment aligns with its ongoing efforts to enhance independence and broaden the collective expertise required to navigate an increasingly complex financial services landscape.

An experienced actuary and financial services executive, Howard Walker holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science. He is a Fellow of both the Faculty of Actuaries and the Financial Planning Institute. His technical and strategic background positions him to contribute to high-level decision-making and risk oversight.

Career spans strategy and transformation

Howard Walker’s career includes senior leadership roles at Alexander Forbes, where he served as Managing Director of Financial Services South Africa and Head of Group Strategy. He also held positions at Old Mutual and Jardine Insurance Brokers in Hong Kong, bringing international and cross-sector perspective to his work.

Since 2009, he has operated as an independent consultant and non-executive director, advising on insurance transactions, corporate strategy, product development and business transformation. This experience is expected to support Sanlam’s long-term strategic direction and operational resilience.

Governance compliance and regulatory alignment

Sanlam confirmed that Walker’s appointment followed a comprehensive fit-and-proper assessment in line with Johannesburg Stock Exchange listing requirements. The board noted that he has formally affirmed his integrity through standard director disclosure processes.

The group continues to prioritize strong governance frameworks as it adapts to evolving regulatory and market conditions across Africa and beyond.

Liberty exit marks transition

Walker’s departure from Liberty Holdings and Liberty Group was acknowledged by the boards, which credited him with significant contributions over his eight-year tenure. His role involved shaping board-level decisions and supporting strategic initiatives during a period of industry change.

His exit clears the path for his new role at Sanlam, where he is expected to apply his extensive advisory and leadership experience.

Strategic addition to Sanlam’s board

As one of Africa’s largest non-banking financial services groups, Sanlam continues to refine its leadership structure. Walker’s appointment signals a deliberate effort to deepen board independence, strengthen governance and enhance long-term value creation.

The move underscores the group’s commitment to maintaining strong oversight while positioning itself to respond effectively to shifting industry dynamics.