HR Pulse

THE LINK BETWEEN HUMAN DYNAMICS AND TANGIBLE QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS.

Asim Gani, the founder and managing director of Independent Actuaries and Consultants, has been appointed non-executive chairman of the Board of Work Dynamics, a South African business comprising of consulting organisational psychologists. He replaces Martin Westcott, who is standing down after leading the Board since 1996.

Gani has provided actuarial and investment advice for over twenty years to leading institutions in both South Africa and abroad. Following seven years at Sanlam, he founded Independent Actuaries and Consultants, and has been instrumental in building the consultancy into one of the largest independent management-owned practices in Africa.

He holds a BBusSc degree from the University of Cape Town, majoring in Economics, Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science. Gani completed his postgraduate actuarial studies through the Institute of Actuaries.

Beside his substantial expertise in finance, investment and SME management, the accomplished actuary has a thorough understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Work Dynamics. Gani has served on the Board of directors since 2009, before becoming a significant shareholder of the company. In 2014 he bought additional shares in Work Dynamics. He says: “Apart from the governance framework, I will actively support the CEO, and his exceptional team in achieving the strategic objectives of Work Dynamics”.

The new chairperson will continue to add value as Work Dynamics enters the next stage of its development. Francois Wilbers, the CEO of Work Dynamics, believes that under the guidance of the new chairperson, Work Dynamics will go from strength to strength, he explains: “The appointment of Mr Gani as Chairperson was one of the key changes made as Work Dynamics continues to evolve. In 2014 we celebrated our 21st year in business. In the same year we expanded our footprint, and made a number of changes, including the repositioning of the business, as we prepared for the challenges and opportunities of 2015, and beyond”.

Gani is fascinated by the intersection between human capital, and conventional economics and finance and says, “I have a keen interest in understanding how human dynamics are linked to the more tangible quantitative aspects I better understand. My personal interest in behavioural economics is born from my experience in the more traditional fields of remuneration consulting, performance management, as well as the growing field of HR Analytics.”
He is looking forward to the opportunity of leading the Board and says: “I am confident that I will also develop as an organisational leader, and specifically better my understanding of the role HR management can play in enhancing business”.

“Human capital is important, and is a critical component of a large number of businesses in our country. Coming from a professional services environment, I appreciate the vital importance of effective management of the work force”.
Gani is optimistic about the future of South Africa, but warns that the growing disparity between the wealthy and the poor is unsustainable and explains: “One way to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor is job creation.

Linked to this, is looking to create sustainable economic growth. South Africa will have to establish its competitive advantage in order to participate in our globalised economy”.

Gani is a regular speaker at conferences on actuarial and investment topics in Southern Africa, and is a Fellow member of a number of professional bodies, including the Institute of Actuaries, the UCT Faculty of Actuaries, as well as a Fellow member of the Actuarial Society of South Africa. He is a Director of two other public companies, as well as all of the Keymix group companies.

In addition, Gani serves as treasurer and Board member of the Aids Legal Network, and says: “I particularly enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences in ways that can empower communities. I believe that we should be active citizens, and as such should be involved in structures that benefit our society”.