Board of directors
There is a wealth of knowledge in our business. Our Board of Directors has extensive local and global experience and networks in asset and wealth management and provides strategic direction on the acquisition and integration of additional wealth management businesses, as well as enhancing and expanding our local and global investment capabilities.
Dr Nico Marais
Chairman & Co-Founder
Nico is a founder member and Chairman of Carmel Wealth (Pty) Ltd. Nico’s impressive career in Financial Services commenced in 1989 and he has held key executive positions in several international financial services companies including Barclays Global Investors (Head of Active Equity Europe), BlackRock (Global Head of Portfolio Management Active Allocation), Schroders (Global Head of Multi-Asset Investments and Portfolio Solutions) and Wells Fargo Asset Management where he was President and then CEO.
Blake Grossman
Non-Executive Director
Blake has extensive experience in managing international businesses where amongst other executive positions, he assumed the role of CEO of Barclays Global Investors as well as Vice Chairman of BlackRock. Blake will be a non-executive director and brings a wealth of international knowledge and experience to the Board of Carmel Wealth.
Dr Manas Bapela
Non-Executive Director
Manas holds a Doctorate Degree in Mathematics and has over 20 years’ experience in the South African asset management industry where he has fulfilled various roles including that of Head of Multi-Asset Class Products and Chief Investment Officer; he is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Argon Asset Management. He also serves on various industry committees and boards.
Hans de Nysschen
Chief Executive Officer
Hans is an accountant with more than 25 years of experience spanning financial services disciplines such as mergers and acquisitions, insurance, investments, wealth management, private equity, and venture capital. He is a seasoned financial services professional and has served as full-time executive, independent director, shareholder, investor and advisor at many organisations including ABSA Corporate & Merchant Bank, PSG Konsult and the Remgro Groups.
Theoniel McDonald
Head of Financial Planning
Theoniel has been a wealth manager for more than 20 years. He has held various leadership positions, including Managing Director of Wealth Associates Central and Wealth Associates Fiduciary Services and also served on the main board of Wealth Associates. Theoniel has been a member of the Financial Intermediary Association of South Africa since 2014 and has served as the Vice President of the organisation from 2021 to 2023. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (UFS) and an MBA (UFS). Theoniel was recently appointed to the Board of Carmel Wealth and will look after the interests of minority shareholders.
