NanaPhiri

Nana is a senior financial services leader with more than 15 years’ experience in the investment banking and insurance sectors. She was the CEO of Sanlam Specialised Finance responsible for balance sheet and financial risk management. She served as a member of Sanlam's Investment Group Executive Committee and was the chairperson of various committees within Sanlam Specialised Finance.

Nana joined RMB in 2012 where she held several roles with distinction. Prior to her current position at RMB she was the Co-Head of RMB Debt and Trade Solutions. She has been involved in several landmark, award-winning transactions in South Africa and the broader Africa.

Nana graduated with an MSF degree from SOAS (University of London) and holds a Business Science Finance and Economics degree from UCT.  She has recently concluded an Executive Leadership Programme with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Nana has been awarded the Black Management Forum’s Black Excellence Award for Manager 2022.  She has over her career been nominated for numerous industry awards. 

Nana is responsible for the strategy and growth of RMB Corporate Clients, which is the largest client group by revenue in RMB. She is passionate about Africa and its development as a key imperative for a more sustainable future.  She believes that everything rises and falls on leadership and is passionate about being part of the solution to groom and bring out the best in others. In her role she works with an incredible team that is passionate about fulfilling the needs of our clients and unlocking value through innovative solutions.

Nana loves RMB and its incredible people. “I love how accessible our leaders are and the practice of embracing different opinions and views. It is our differentiator and at the core of RMB’s brilliance. Insights to unlock a problem or challenge can come from anywhere or anyone. I also like the deep sense of accountability engrained in everyone to see our clients, teams and stakeholders succeed. It is our ability to make sense of complexity in a simpler, easier way to understand that excites me. I also love the caring environment where I’ve made strong relationships and friendships.”

Nana and her husband, Israel, have two kids, Bokang and Ikaneng who always keep them on their toes. She has been brushing off her chess skills to teach them how to be chess masters. She enjoys reading biographies and listening to TedTalks/podcasts. She hails from Limpopo and enjoys family retreats to remote areas where she can take long walks and hear the lovely sounds of nature.

Quotable quote

"Our ability to apply our minds to the challenge and having the humility and curiosity to learn is always the winning formula."