The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a disruption to all aspects of life, forcing us to adapt to a new way of being. The initial wave impacted the most vulnerable members of our society and with it a view that some may be unscathed. However, as we have seen with the second wave, no one is immune to the impact of this virus. And so, we remember all those lost to the pandemic, and we continue to hold their families in our thoughts and prayers.

The past year has certainly heightened our appreciation for the fact that organisations are truly part of a broader community. We share the impacts that challenging times such as these bring, and we each have a unique role to play in working to overcome this significant challenge and its resultant impacts. I would like to recognise our customers, employees, intermediaries and the communities we serve for their resilience through these trying times, as well as for their continued support.

Times such as these demand an even greater resolve towards practical corporate citizenship from the business community. Old Mutual has proven itself more than capable of the task, as we held ourselves to a higher standard that demands us to act with purpose, working alongside a range of partners to find solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. We responded with agility, speed, and great compassion, living up to our promise of being that certain friend in uncertain times. Our comprehensive response is detailed throughout this report. Many of these efforts are being continued into 2021 and we remain as committed as ever to driving positive outcomes for all of our stakeholders and our business.

Despite the interruptions, our intermediaries have played a leading role in continuing to drive strong performance through innovative digital channels, adapting to new ways of working and determination to preserve long standing relationships with customers.

Through their efforts and those of our employees, Old Mutual remains a well managed business, on track to deliver against its key strategic priorities.

After careful consideration, the Board was delighted to announce the appointment of Iain Williamson as CEO of the Group in July 2020. I would like to express our appreciation of Iain and the leadership from him and his executive team during this very challenging and demanding period. Their dedication, passion and decisiveness inspire great confidence among the Board and their efforts have our full backing.

The new ways of working brought about in 2020 presented an opportunity for both the Board and executive team to engage at a more granular level around the Group’s strategy, with a view towards closely aligning it to the changing needs of all of our stakeholders. I am pleased to confirm that the Board approved a refreshed long term strategy for the Group.

While 2021 brings new hope for recovery, there are still many uncertainties we face and the year may well prove to be as challenging as 2020. With this in mind, Old Mutual will continue to champion a course that offers an appropriate level of support, certainty and value for all of its stakeholders. As we anticipate the rollout of vaccine programmes across the continent, it is important that we support these efforts together, for the health and wellbeing of our societies.

Ngiyabonga! Thank you! Asante!