Management
GORDON MCKEAN
The company is spearheaded by Gordon McKean who also founded the company back in 2010. Gordon has been involved in the Reinsurance Industry since the mid-late 90’s. He has worked as a Treaty Underwriter as well as a Reinsurance Broker, so he is more than able to handle anything Reinsurance related.
COLIN GRIFFITHS
Colin Griffiths joined in 2018 he began his Insurance career with National Employers’ General Insurance Co (NEG) in Cape Town in 1980 and was later appointed District Manager, East London. Colin joined Munich Re in South Africa in 1990 and after 28 years and various roles within Munich Re.
NADINE SMIT
Nadine joined the team in 2015, she completed her B.Com in Finance at the University of Johannesburg and joined the team in 2015 assisting with both Financial and Technical accounts
WERNER BARDENHORST CA (SA)
He has his BCom Accounting with Honours through the University of Johannesburg.
He has a wealth of experience with over 9 years within the South African Short Term Insurance Industry and has held multiple roles from auditing to risk consulting to Corporate Financial and General Manager to COO.
He will also hold a seat on our Management Team.
Finance
SIMONE MASTERS
Simone joined Oak Tree 2018, she has completed her Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Corporate Finance & Investments and Management, at the University of the Witwatersrand.
CARISSA THOMAS
Carissa joined the team in September 2022
She has a Business Management certificate and Bcom General degree and joins our growing Finance team
Kelsey Liebenberg
Kelsey joined Oak Tree in 2023, she has completed her Bachelor of Commerce with a core focus in Strategic Management and strongly believes that you can never have enough knowledge.
Analytics
TANUS BOT
Tanus joined the team in 2019, he holds a BSc. Actuarial and Financial Mathematics from the University of Pretoria. He is currently studying to complete his fellowship exams with the Actuarial Society of South Africa.
JENNA PRINSLOO
Jenna completed her BSc Actuarial and Financial Mathematics with a distinction through the University of Pretoria in January 2021, and will begin to write the remainder of her board exams through the Actuarial Society of South Africa later this year in order to qualify as a Fellow in the near future..
Savannah Halsted
Savannah joined Oaktree in 2023. She has completed her Bachelor of Science in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics as well as her Bachelor of Science Honours in Financial Engineering at the University of Pretoria. She plans to write the remainder of her board exams through the Actuarial Society of South Africa to qualify as a fellow in the future.
Broker and Broker Support
ANDREW MUKOSI
Andrew joined the team in 2018 from a direct insurance background. He spent more than 10 years handling short term insurance products for various companies but, 6 of which were property and engineering. The reinsurance route had always been an endeavour he long revered.
Lourino Guimareas
Lourino Joined the Oak Tree Team in September – 2023 and holds a degree in Economics and a Certification in Insurance (PSTRP). He has more than 8 years of experience in Insurance and Reinsurance fields which began with EMOSE Insurance Company of Mozambique in 2015. His Experience over these years spans Reinsurance Accounting, Underwriting, Claims and Portfolio Management, Credit Control and Program Design.
SETH WADE
Seth joined Oak Tree in 2021. He holds a Bcom in Finance and Accounting and a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management from the University of Johannesburg. He is currently completing his Higher certificate in short-term insurance and plans on further deepening his knowledge of the insurance world by completing the advanced certificate in short-term insurance in the coming year. Seth started at Oak Tree in the finance and technical department and after a year, moved into the broking department as a Facultative and treaty broker for new business where he has become fully compliant within the past year.
Ian Younger
Ian joined Oak Tree in September 2023. He started his career with Louis Volks and Associates in 1990. Over his more than three-decade career, he has worked as an Insurance Broker, UMA owner and Insurer. He is an Associate of the Insurance Institute of South Africa and is currently studying a B.Com in Short Term Insurance.
TERRY PETERS
Terry joined the team in 2017,she completed a BA in Communication from the University of South Africa. Terry has obtained a wealth of Reinsurance experience whilst working at one of Africa’s largest Reinsurers and has since been brought on at Oak Tree as a Broker back-up, to assist the team with both Treaty and Facultative Business.
Administration
DEMETRA KNOTT
Demetra joined the team in April 2022 and comes from a Tourism and Eventing background.
She joins us as Gordon’s Personal Assistant and will handle the company’s Digital Marketing and Events.
ZEENAT MAHOMED
Zeenat joined the team in January 2024 as our new receptionist and office admin assistant. Zeenat will resume her studies in BCom Law