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Sanlam Limited - Sanlam Announces Restructuring Of Genbel Securities Limited

Release Date: 26/08/2003 15:00
Code(s): SLM
Wrap Text

Sanlam Limited - Sanlam Announces Restructuring Of Genbel Securities Limited (Gensec) Sanlam Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1959/001562/06) Share code: SLM ISIN No: ZAE000028262 26 August 2003 Sanlam Limited today announced the restructuring of its wholly owned subsidiary, Gensec, as a further step in its strategy of improving operational focus and delivery across the Group. Sanlam remains committed to, and will continue with, its existing capital support of Gensec. Gensec will remain a regulated entity and will change its status only once all the necessary regulatory approval has been obtained. Gensec will be refocused around the areas that are complementary and value enhancing to Sanlam"s current businesses. The core activities will be grouped in a new entity, Sanlam Capital Markets, which will leverage its capability to capitalise on the potential of a centralised treasury, structured products and brokerage capability to serve the Group"s clients. Mark Murning, the current head of Risk Management Solutions and Treasury at Gensec, who has been with Gensec for seven years, will manage Sanlam Capital Markets. Capital Markets will eventually form part of the finance division of Sanlam Corporate. Certain long-term investments and activities will initially be retained but will not be expanded. Peter Cook, the deputy CEO of Gensec for the past five years will take responsibility for these activities. Non-core investment banking activities will be terminated during the process of restructuring and Steve Muller, head of Gensec"s investment banking, will manage this process with Peter Cook. Muller has been with Gensec for eight years. Marius Ferreira, the founder chief executive of Gensec, will assist with the transition as an advisor to the group until June 2004. Anton Botha, the current non-executive chairman of Gensec, will become CEO during the transition period, expected to be complete by June 2004. Tom de Beer, a board member of Gensec, will replace him as chairman. De Beer will relinquish his position as chairman of Gensec"s audit committee and Div Geeringh has been appointed as the new chairman. Gensec posted an improved operating profit in the first six months of 2003. Dr Johan van Zyl, Group chief executive of Sanlam Limited, congratulated Marius Ferreira and Gensec employees with the results and thanked them for their commitment, also in the deliberations leading to the new structure to unlock value for the group. "As we said in our announcement on the Group"s broader restructuring in May, we would apply a back to basics strategy in all areas of the business. This restructuring will unlock significant value for our Group by allowing us to re- deploy our capital more effectively. By increasing our focus on the core business of risk management solutions and associated capital market activities, we will enhance our operational performance and optimise return on capital. "The restructuring follows deliberations between Sanlam and Absa about the potential sale of Gensec"s banking activities to Absa. Both Groups decided that it would not be in either"s best interest to pursue an outright sale of Gensec. "Our decision to realign the activities of Gensec within Sanlam does not negatively impact on our relationship with Absa and our efforts to achieve co- operation that would benefit both organisations are continuing," he said. Date: 26/08/2003 03:00:03 PM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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