Michael Cheng

Chief Underwriting Officer

FIA, CFA, BSc
(Appointed 2024)

Michael assumed the position of Chief Underwriting Officer in 2024 and is in charge of pricing and analytics, as well as shaping underwriting strategy and practice across the Santam Group. He collaborates with Business Executive teams to enhance underwriting profitability, incorporating reinsurance, pricing, and risk management. Michael is a qualified Actuary and CFA Charterholder with 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, having worked across various sectors including life, investments, health, and non-life insurance. His background spans start-ups, established operations, and consulting roles in South Africa, the UK, and Europe. Before joining Santam, he served as the Chief Risk and Underwriting Officer at Hollard and he held senior positions at Swiss Re, Old Mutual, Medscheme, Discovery, and Ernst & Young, focusing on risk, capital, actuarial, and M&A activities.