Our Team

Jürgen has degrees from the University of Stellenbosch and the University of South Africa, a Masters of Finance from the University of Leicester UK, and more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. Jürgen joined Western National Insurance in 2008, bringing with him extensive experience in building insurance brands and businesses from his years with Allianz in Namibia, South Africa and Germany, as well as Guardrisk.

Joseph is a chartered accountant, and has more than 40 years of experience as a public accountant and auditor. He has also been a director of a number of public and private companies in Namibia, Mauritius and South Africa. In 2004, Joseph co-founded Western and was managing director until 2009. Joseph is currently an independent non-executive director of Western National Insurance and he remains invaluable.

Ruan matriculated from Paul Roos Gimnasium and obtained his accounting degree from the University of Stellenbosch. He also obtained his Honours in Accounting while working at PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. in Namibia and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2010. Ruan also gained valuable hedge fund experience while working in the Cayman Islands. On returning to South Africa, Ruan took up employment with Western specialising in Short-term Insurance, working in the finance department. He is currently employed as the Chief Operating Officer and was previously employed as the Chief Financial Officer.

Ingrid joined Western in 2013. She has 38 years of insurance industry experience, gained in insurance broking, product development as well as marketing and sales. Much of this experience was gained with Price Forbes, Alexander Forbes and Guardrisk where Ingrid was the Executive Head of Product Development and Sales and Marketing. She also spent several years as Executive Head of Sales and Marketing in a new fledgling company called Cre8, within the Forbes stable, bringing new innovative products to the retail short-term broking market.

Thabo joined Western in 2021. Over the past 18 years Thabo has held leadership roles at various insurance companies including Santam, OUTsurance and Regent Insurance. Before joining Western Thabo headed up the brokers claims division for Discovery Insure. His knowledge of the contact centre environment and understanding of the intermediary market (binder and direct) is unique having lead teams across multiple insurance disciplines (servicing, claims and internal audits). Thabo has completed management courses from the University of Stellenbosch business school and the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

Jan-Hendrik has in excess of 20 years’ experience in the short-term insurance industry and joined Western in 2018. Having operated in, and managed various industry segments including Distribution,  Personal and Commercial Underwriting on a national basis for OMI, he brings a sound knowledge of the industry and the market. Jan-Hendriks is highly focused on driving consistent and sustainable service within an Intermediated distribution model. He brings a broad skill set and expertise to the business.

Jean graduated from the University of Stellenbosch and obtained his Honours in Accounting from the University of South Africa. He joined Western National Insurance in 2014 after gaining experience in auditing and qualifying as a chartered accountant. He is currently employed as the Chief Financial Officer for the Western Group, overseeing all group accounting, financial and regulatory reporting, taxation and financial planning and analysis functions.