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From the Free State to Group Risk leadership: The journey and vision of Hollard’s Dan Moeti

Dan Moeti’s journey from Welkom to Hollard Group Risk leadership reflects a career built on learning, collaboration, and purpose. This profile explores his unique perspective on insurance, leadership, and the social impact of group risk cover in South Africa.
Written by
Tony van Niekerk
Published on
October 17, 2025
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When you sit down with Daniel “Dan” Moeti, Executive Head of Business Development at Hollard Group Risk, one thing becomes immediately clear, this is a man who has walked nearly every road the insurance sector offers.

From brokerage to corporate risk, aviation, and now group life, his journey has been shaped by a relentless curiosity, deep technical grounding, and an unwavering belief in people.

A journey defined by learning and purpose - Moeti’s story begins in Welkom, Free State, where a young man with ambition left for Durban to study at the University of Durban-Westville. What started as an arts degree soon evolved into a business journey that would take him to Stellenbosch University, where he completed an MBA in finance, economics, and accounting.

His professional career began at Alexander Forbes, where he joined as a graduate trainee. “At Alexander Forbes, you couldn’t progress without continuing your studies,” he recalls. “That culture instilled in me a lifelong habit of continuous learning.” He would later qualify as a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of South Africa, a testament to his commitment to mastering his craft.

Over the years, Moeti’s professional path has covered virtually every corner of the insurance ecosystem: corporate risk management, risk financing, and broking for both the public and private sectors. He even spent time in the aviation industry, managing complex risks across safety, insurance, and compliance.

“Working in aviation was my form of conscription,” he laughs. “I wanted to serve in a high-pressure public environment where risk is visible and tangible every day.”

Seeing both sides of the insurance equation - Having worked extensively on both the distribution and provider sides of insurance, Moeti brings a rare dual perspective to his current role. He spent more than a decade at Marsh, eventually becoming Head of Sales for South Africa and later for the African continent. This experience, he says, fundamentally shaped his understanding of how brokers think and operate.

“Being on the distribution side taught me that brokers value simplicity,” he explains. “They don’t want to spend hours reworking insurer documents or struggling to interpret data. The easier you make it for them, the better your relationship and the stronger your market presence.”

Now, on the insurer side at Hollard, that insight helps him bridge the gap between what clients need and what insurers deliver. “Insurers know their products but often underestimate how to present them. Having that broker background allows me to structure tenders and proposals that truly resonate, and that’s a competitive advantage.”

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“Group risk gives families protection they could never afford on the open market, it’s a way of sustaining dignity.”

Tony van Niekerk
Chief editor of COVER

Leadership grounded in collaboration - When asked about his leadership style, Moeti answered confidently: “My leadership philosophy is simple: bring your people along.”

He believes in co-creation, open dialogue, and empowerment rather than control. “I don’t believe in top-down management. I want my team to think, to challenge, to lead. My role is to guide and support, not to dictate.”

That philosophy, he says, was shaped by mentors like Karen Muller, then CEO of SAA, who once told him, “I didn’t hire you so I could tell you how to do your job. You run with it, and I’ll support you.” Moeti took that advice to heart. “It gave me confidence,” he says. “It taught me that leadership isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about creating an environment where people thrive and take ownership.”

But he’s quick to add that collaboration doesn’t mean complacency. “I have zero tolerance for slacking. If you fail while trying, that’s fine, we learn. But everyone must show commitment and hunger.”

The social and economic role of group risk - In his current role, Moeti champions group risk insurance as one of the most socially impactful components of South Africa’s insurance landscape.

“Group risk gives families protection they could never afford on the open market,” he explains. “If individuals had to buy the same level of cover privately, it would be unaffordable for most South Africans.”

Products like group life and critical illness cover ensure that, when tragedy strikes, families have financial stability, from education funds for children to support for surviving spouses. “It’s a way of sustaining dignity,” he says, “helping South Africans care for their loved ones, even in the most difficult moments.”

To increase awareness, Moeti advocates for broader education and collaboration between insurers, brokers, and employers. “We often meet employees at wellness days who don’t even know they’re covered under a group policy. Education is key. We need to explain what they have, how it works, and what it means for their families.”

He believes insurers should play a more proactive role here. “It can’t be left to brokers and employers alone. We all share that responsibility.”

Advice for the next generation - When it comes to young professionals entering the industry, Moeti is emphatic: “Insurance is a technical field, study, study, and study some more.” He stresses the importance of qualifications like RE exams, technical diplomas, and specialist courses in commercial or life insurance.

“There’s a lot you learn from books that experience alone can’t teach. But you also need initiative, don’t wait to be pulled up. Pull yourself up. Ask questions, seek mentors, and show hunger.”

He shares a story of once asking to understand how the Lloyd’s of London market worked. “Someone eventually took me under their wing, and I learned. That’s how opportunities come, by asking, by showing curiosity.”

In his words, “Learn more and do more, that’s the formula. The sky will always be the limit for those who are hungry.”

From a small-town boy in the Free State to a respected leader at one of South Africa’s largest insurers, Dan Moeti’s journey is one of perseverance, humility, and purpose. a reminder that in insurance, as in life, true leadership begins with learning and service.

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