I don’t deal with call centres to settle my claims – my broker has got my back.
Ian Ringwood, Client
Phoenix – a person regarded as uniquely remarkable in some respect (Oxford Dictionary of Languages).
At the core of the belief system of the directors, management and staff of Phoenix Risk Solutions (Pty) Ltd is our understanding that we are a remarkable organisation because we have surrounded ourselves with exceptional people who strive for excellence. The importance of people and relationships is underscored by our constant quest to maintain close ties with our clients, whereby our understanding of the needs of the core business of risk management and non-life insurance are transferred into the carefully considered products and risk solutions that we recommend.
The standards of excellence that we set for ourselves are maintained through our carefully considered and selected human capital. Our people cover a vast spectrum of expertise, qualifications and skills. We focus on professionalism through the strength of our diversity. This allows us to offer unique solutions through personal and expert service to a range of clients, from corporates to private individuals.
Individual tailor-made risk management services, including self-funding options, are aligned with what we do, and we ensure that we pay careful attention to the individual needs of our clients. We are cover holders to international markets which allows our risk solutions to be fine-tuned and cutting edge.
We abide by sustainable development goals within our organisation and a sense of corporate and social responsibility is imbued in our staff.
Flexibility and superior delivery of documentation are secured through our excellent relationships with insurers and our in-house policy issuing and administration facilities.
All companies within Phoenix Risk Solutions strive to uphold international best practice. Our head office is situated in our eco-friendly green building in Tokai. Several of our partners are housed within the head office building.
Phoenix Risk Solutions was formed in 2003. The four founding directors have in excess of 140 years’ experience in the non-life insurance sector.
Phoenix is committed to our new economy and through the growth of our business we will continually develop people from disadvantaged backgrounds while not compromising on client service.
All key individuals and representatives of Phoenix Risk Solutions are compliant with or exceed the educational standards as required by FAIS.
Phoenix is a member of the South African Financial Services Intermediaries Association (SAFSIA) and has the necessary professional indemnity and fidelity guarantee insurances.
Phoenix Risk solutions is an empowered company with an active 25,5% empowerment shareholding.
Managing Director
B. Com (Unisa)
After spending six years with Mutual & Federal, Peter joined the corporate division of Minet Brokers in 1988, which became M.I.B. in 1993.
Peter was initially appointed to the board of M.I.B. Cape Town, and in 1996, to Deputy Managing Director. At this time, he also ran the M.I.B. Corporate Division until the merger of M.I.B. and Glenrand.
In 1999 Peter was appointed Managing Director of Glenrand M.I.B. Cape Town and he resigned from that position in November 2003.
Peter was instrumental in the formation of Phoenix Risk Solutions (Pty) Limited and has been Managing Director since 1 February 2004.
Director
ACII – Chartered Insurance Practitioner
Peter has 20 years’ experience in the broking industry having started with Minet in 1983.
In 1989, he moved to Alexander Forbes in the position of Marketing Manager where he remained until he joined Sky Insurance Brokers as a Director and Shareholder in April 1992.
In March 1994, a merger took place which resulted in the formation of a new company, Sky Market Financial Services (Pty) Limited.
Peter was appointed as the Managing Director of this Group in 1998 and held this position until 2003 when he was instrumental in the formation of Phoenix Risk Solutions.
Director
Sean started his insurance career in 1988 with Mutual & Federal. He trained in all departments and settled into the commercial division as Section Head and Head of Business Development.
In 1995, Sean joined M.I.B. Corporate Division in the position of corporate broker.
Sean was appointed as an Alternate Director in 1998 and as a full Divisional Director of Glenrand M.I.B. in 2000.
Sean left Glenrand M.I.B. in 2003and is a founding member of Phoenix Risk Solutions.
Director
COP, Executive Leadership Program (UCT GSB)
Steve started his insurance career in 1981 with IGI and moved to SA Eagle in 1986 in the capacity of Claims Supervisor. In 1992, Steve joined the Corporate Claims team at Minet.
In 1993, Steve moved from claims into the corporate broking team at Glenrand M.I.B. (Minet).
In 1998, Steve was made an Alternate Director and, in 2000, he was appointed as a Director of the Local Divisional Board.
Steve also represented the Cape Region of Glenrand M.I.B. on the National Diversity Committee. He completed an Executive Leadership Programme at the UCT Graduate School of Business in 2004.
Steve is a founding member of Phoenix Risk Solutions.
Operations Manager COP
Tracy joined Standard Bank Insurance Brokers in 1993 and then joined M.I.B. in 1996. She has 30 years’ experience, having worked in corporate, commercial and domestic insurances.
Finance Manager
In 1993, Tony started his working career as an internal auditor at Toyota South Africa. Tony relocated to Cape Town and was offered a position in the claims department at Sky Market Financial Services. After gaining experience in the broking field, Tony took over the operation of the company’s finance department. In June 2003, he left Sky Market Financial Services to pursue a new position as a core member of the start-up team of Phoenix Risk Solutions. Tony remains in his integral role as financial manager, a position which he has held for nearly 20 years.
Claims Manager
Chantal honed her skills in client services as a call centre operator and moved into the non-life insurance sector in 2010. Chantal has a wealth of knowledge in claims and was employed by Telesure Group Services from 2010 to 2015, after which she moved to Zurich Insurance. Chantal joined Phoenix Risk Solutions in 2016 and was appointed Claims Manager in 2017.
The mindset of Phoenix Risk Solutions is to always help, guide and mentor wherever and whenever possible. As a result of this company culture, there are ongoing investments in corporate and social development, as we do our best to live up to this ethos.
A few of our current projects include:
We provide guidance and training under the year-long Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) Learnership Programme. The programme runs over a 12-month, 1 500-hour period and we currently have five learners on the INSETA programme at our Tokai head office. This learnership is a poverty alleviation and skills development programme. It consists of both practical and theoretical components, and the structure of the programme is set out under the auspices of the government initiative, the National Skills Development strategy. The learnership programme is accredited by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) because it is unit-standard based. This important programme allows the youth to gain experience in an industry that they may possibly not have been exposed to under different circumstances.
Investment in our people is fundamental to our success. Staff are encouraged and assisted to further their education and to maintain their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) status. As exceptional people with exceptional skills, a myriad of structured, innovative and creative education and CPD programmes are pursued.
Each year, the Insurance Institute of the Western Cape arranges the RISE mentorship programme, which is a nine-month personal mentorship programme between a seasoned insurance professional and a younger person (under the age of 35). The programme is about personal development and the development of soft skills, as well as technical expertise. Henriette Marais from our Phoenix IDRS office in Somerset West is partaking in the programme this year as a mentee.
As we value the power of education, we are also involved in enrichment programmes outside of the insurance industry. We are a major sponsor of the Amy Foundation, which is focused on the enrichment of the youth in disadvantaged areas through educational, cultural, sports and other activities in the Western Cape. Daily, over 1 000 children and youth partake in programmes run by the Amy Foundation.
Phoenix Risk Solutions also contributes to the following organisations on a monthly basis:
One of our directors employed a part-time domestic worker who had a young son. The domestic worker passed away suddenly, and the small boy was left orphaned. The director contacted the boy’s aunt who was willing to raise the little boy. All the Phoenix directors stepped in and agreed to pay his living expenses and education costs until he reached adulthood. The boy was supported through his schooling at Fish Hoek Primary and then his high school career, as a boarder at Groote Schuur High School. During this time, he often spent school holidays with the director for whom his mother had worked.
This young man is now in the last years of his tertiary education at Rosebank College in Cape Town. He continues to be financially supported by Phoenix Risk Solutions and to spend vacations with his mother’s previous employer.
Acting Angels is a poverty-alleviation NPO that focuses on the very young and the very elderly.
The Good Hope Foundation is a non-sectarian organisation that runs several outreach programmes in the greater Western Cape area.
The Breast Care Foundation provides support to those affected by breast cancer and assists with early detection. The foundation also assists with awareness of HIV.
Phoenix Risk Solutions’ Tokai offices have partnered with Seaview Park Primary School on several initiatives under the auspices of the Phoenix Risk Solutions social clubs. These initiatives have included sanitary pad collection drives, school holiday care package deliveries to children in the school and the delivery of stationery to learners at the school.
These fundraisers are permanent initiatives that are spearheaded by Phoenix Risk Solutions’ staff, which once again underpins that all within the Phoenix group care about our planet and its inhabitants.
Through sustainable partnership, Phoenix Risk helps businesses grow. Have a look at some of our current partners and what they offer.
The meaning of the word ‘zakhele’ is ‘to create one’s own destiny and opportunity.
Phoenix West was founded by Dave Wonnacott and the late Alan Duncan.
Phoenix Central is owner-operated by Steve van Eyslend, a founding director of Phoenix Risk Solutions.
Located in Somerset West, Phoenix IDRS (Pty) Ltd is owner-managed by Drew Moll with additional broking services being provided by five additional based at the Phoenix IDRS office.
PIB Risk Services, which provides corporate, commercial and private client risk management and insurance services, believes that complex situations and real-world problems demand tried-and-trusted acumen, experience and industry insight.
Phoenix Risk Solutions and its affiliated companies are authorised by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to place business in all spheres of non-life insurance business.
Get in touch
Insurance has become an important feature of business given the requirement and duties placed upon company directors and officials in terms of corporate governance.
We tend to keep things uncomplicated and are uncompromising on professionalism.
We have a special affinity for, and in-depth understanding of, the small business operator who does not necessarily have a culture of Insuring against unforeseen risks.
At the same time, we are able to guide corporate entities towards cost effective risk transfer or self-funding alternatives.
Get in touch
NB: Please complete the required fields, sign and remember to save the form before emailing it to us.
