Mary is the CEO of FirstRand Group. She was appointed as executive director in 2018, in the role of Group COO. In this capacity, she was the group executive director responsible for FirstRand’s diversification strategies in insurance and investment management, as well as the portfolio of subsidiaries in broader Africa and central group functions. Prior to this role, Mary held the positions of Deputy CEO of MMI Holdings Limited and CFO of the Mineral Services Group, and she is a 2016 World Economic Forum Young Global leader. Mary started her career at PwC, where she was admitted as one of their youngest partners globally in 2005.
Academic Qualifications:
- BComm (Honours): Honours in Accounting (Research topic: Usefulness of
Financial Statements to Institutional investors), University of the Witwatersrand (1999)
- Higher Diploma in Auditing, Rand Afrikaans University/University of Johannesburg (2001)
- Chartered Accountant (SA), South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (2002)
- Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century, Harvard Kennedy School (2017)
Awards & Recognition
- World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2016)
- Merit Award, Admission into the Accounting Honours programme, University of the Witwatersrand (1998)
Board Memberships & Non-Executive Roles
Mary’s leadership extends to her involvement with several influential boards:
Current Board Member: St Mary’s School
Previous Non-Executive Director Roles:
- MMI Holdings Limited
- Development Bank of South Africa
- Kagiso Media Limited
- Holdsport Limited
- CCMA (Chairperson, Audit Committee)
- Financial Services Board (Advisor to the Minister of Finance)
- Trustee of Women Legal Centre
Professional Development & Service
Member, ABASA (Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants in Southern Africa)
Former Board Member, AWCA (African Women Chartered Accountants)