firstEquity Insurance Group

Meet our Exco

We believe that to stay ahead of competitors and abreast of our clients’ needs we need a combination of experience, capacity, innovation and agility. We are fortunate to have excellent leadership with the right combination of experience, capacity, innovation and agility to ensure these options are well researched and the very best opportunities are presented to you.
CEO of The firstEquity Group and Senior Executive on the EXCO of Allianz SA

Vis Govender

MBA, B.Com (Information Systems)

CEO

Vis had various senior management positions including Senior Executive on the EXCO of Allianz SA. Allianz is Europe’s and one of the world’s largest Insurance and Banking Groups.

Vis has run a management consulting practice and was part of the Nedbank Insurance Exco for 9 years, he also served on the Nedbank Merger Steering Committee before leaving to form firstEquity.

Vis understands not only the local service requirements of complex accounts, but with his information technology specialisation introduces efficiencies into business operations that assist both the client and broker in managing portfolios more efficiently

The expertise to keep you covered

Kevin Watson CFO head of group finance governance strategy and shared services

Kevin Watson

CA(SA), MBA, Certified Director

CFO

Kevin’s ability to put systems and strategies in place are instrumental in turning companies around globally.

Kevin, a chartered accountant with an MBA, brings with him 30 years of international experience having worked in various executive roles, in multiple industries, in almost 20 countries. He joined the group in 2009 and has been part of the executive committee who has assisted the group to more than quadruple in size, and depth of client offering, in the past decade.

As a Certified Director and having spent time on the board of listed companies, Kevin is well positioned to ensure that the group grows in a well governed and sustainable way. He heads up the Group Finance, Governance, Strategy and Shared Services divisions.

Anthony Courtenay COO of The firstEquity Group key insurance product developer

Anthony Courtenay

B.Soc.Sc

COO

With financial services running in his blood, it’s no wonder that developing bespoke industry products comes second nature to Anthony

As part of the founding family of SATIB, Anthony has spent his entire career in financial services. Anthony obtained a Social Sciences Degree from the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, and shortly after joined SATIB Insurance Brokers.

Anthony’s time is spent performing various management duties, administration of key insurance facilities, developing bespoke industry products and servicing of key group clients.

Gavin Courtenay primary liaison for key insurance carrier management teams

Gavin Courtenay

MD (AFRICA)

Gavin’s amiable personality paired with his unrivaled knowledge of the industry makes him the obvious choice as primary liaison for key insurance carrier management teams.

Gavin began his career in insurance at Jardine Insurance Brokers in London, where he spent two years on the property team, broking property risks into Lloyd’s of London and London Insurance Company market.

Gavin joined SATIB Insurance Brokers and has played a significant role in growing the group. Gavin’s hands-on approach sees him as the primary liaison with key insurance carrier management teams. He is passionate about driving the company’s new business strategy and interacting with clients. Gavin heads up the Group’s African growth efforts.

Saskia Stemmett Executive Head Legal and Compliance firstEquity Group

Saskia Stemmett

BCOM LLB

EXECUTIVE HEAD: LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE

Saskia heads up the Group’s Legal and Compliance divisions. After graduating from the University of Cape Town in 2006 with BCOM and LLB degrees, Saskia completed her legal articles and was admitted as an Attorney of the Cape of Good Hope in 2008.

She joined DMKC Insurance Brokers spending time in the broking divisions before taking on the responsibility for Legal and Compliance. Saskia moved into a Group role for the firstEquity Insurance Group in 2016 and is responsible for the ongoing governance, legal and compliance management for the various companies in South Africa and other regions. Saskia is also involved in Company Secretarial, risk and Governance for the Group.

firstEquity Insurance Group