“Collaboration is necessary for economic growth” says Old Mutual’s Lindiwe Sebesho, MD of Remchannel, – who believes that partnering with the CHRO South Africa community has improved the quality of her business’s interactions with CHROs.
Old Mutual is one of the oldest companies in South Africa. Founded in 1845, it prides itself on being a responsible corporate citizen that is deeply invested in the growth and prosperity of the nation. As a member of the Old Mutual Group, Remchannel plays a key role in delivering on this commitment, and expresses this through its engagement with the human resources community.
According to Lindiwe Sebesho, managing director of Remchannel, Old Mutual Corporate aims to actively support CHROs as they have a key role to play in driving business growth and influence strategic decisions.
“We want to communicate to CHROs across industries that Old Mutual Corporate is a reliable strategic partner that you can rely on to advance your organisation’s ambitions in sustainable and measurable ways,” Lindiwe says.
She believes that this message is strongly supported by the work of CHRO South Africa, which delivers powerful community engagement, network building and knowledge sharing for HR leaders across the country. “This is aligned with our own work to encourage and capacitate CHROs to develop solutions not only for their organisations but also the well-being of South Africa,” she says.
Communities drive economic growth
Lindiwe highlights that a collaborative approach by business is seen as necessary for positive economic growth, benefiting all players. She says that their partnership with CHRO South Africa underscores the importance of supporting and engaging with communities.
“Old Mutual is entirely committed to supporting and engaging with communities for executives. As an organisation, we pride ourselves on being a responsible corporate citizen and are thus invested in encouraging other businesses to take on this civic role. We are able to do this through exposure to executives and opportunities to express the value of business patriotism and being responsible and productive members of South Africa’s social fabric.”
South Africa is a country facing numerous challenges, she says. “However, it is also a country that brims with potential and opportunity. This is the South Africa that Old Mutual is proud of and is committed to supporting, including through garnering the investment of fellow businesses and understanding the necessity of business unity to steer meaningful socioeconomic progress.”
She says that she values the enrichment that she and her team gain from engaging with other business leaders and their teams. “We believe this strengthening of intra- and inter-sector relationships aids the growth and development of our country and reaffirms our organisational commitment of driving mutually positive futures.”
CHRO South Africa as the trusted community for HR executives
In light of this, Old Mutual deeply values its relationship with CHRO South Africa, considering it to be the most trusted community for HR executives in the country. “The CHRO South Africa platform has improved the quality of interaction between Remchannel and Old Mutual Corporate and CHROs, contributing to progress for all parties involved,” Lindiwe says.
She adds that the world of work is fast-evolving, and is facing serious headwinds as society progresses and redefines its values and ambitions. This, she says, creates an incredibly complex environment that businesses must navigate with precision. “HR leaders are key to doing so successfully. It is vital that this community of highly influential professionals are able to congregate and engage on how to face the future.”
She believes that CHRO South Africa plays a central role in facilitating these interactions and delivering crucial insights – “a role Old Mutual is proud to contribute to.”
Several high points mark Old Mutual and Remchannel's engagement with CHRO South Africa. A particular highlight for Lindiwe has been their involvement in the CHRO Dinners they held in partnership in 2024. Lindiwe says these dinners were “marked by lively conversations and a wonderful collegial atmosphere, leaving all participants challenged and inspired to drive the necessary transformation in our varied organisations and the industry at large. The dinners were a wonderful opportunity to pause, consider and connect.”
Another significant benefit of the partnership is the insights gained. “The CHRO SA platform provides useful insights into the business strategies of various organisations and their talent requirements,” which aids in developing tailored solutions that align with clients’ needs and goals. Lindiwe notes that utilising the collective expertise available through the community has enabled both Remchannel and Old Mutual Corporate to develop solutions that are “both impactful and sustainable, addressing current challenges and anticipating future needs”.
Through its partnership with CHRO South Africa, Old Mutual, represented by Remchannel, effectively reinforces its position as a long-standing, reliable partner committed not only to business success but also to the broader well-being and development of South Africa. Lindiwe is firm in her conviction that the collaboration enhances understanding, facilitates tailored solutions, and strengthens the vital network of HR leaders navigating the complexities of the modern world of work.
To unlock the benefits of a partnership with CHRO South Africa, contact Shaun Bateman on [email protected].