Making finance personal since 1990.
Same Assets. Direct Access.
For 35 years, accessing our private market assets meant meeting institutional criteria. That's no longer the only path.
Built for qualified investors.
A structured, hands-off approach to private markets – for those who meet the criteria.
Built for hands-on investors.
Choose your own exposure, track your assets, and invest on your terms.
- Low minimums
- Flexible terms
- Variable returns
- Direct access
How we invest.
Our philosophy.
The mid-market funding gap.
Capital flows freely at the top end of corporate credit. But in the mid-market – facilities below R1bn backed by real, physical assets – there's a structural void. Not because the assets aren't bankable, but because traditional banks have retreated from the operational intensity required to serve them.
Yield from capability, not capital.
Returns in this segment come from navigating real asset complexity – technical origination, cashflow-linked structuring, active portfolio management, hands-on workout capacity. For traditional allocators, building this in-house is uneconomic. For emerging managers, the barrier to execution is too high. For us, it's 35 years of accumulated infrastructure.
Operators become partners.
We don't build capability on our balance sheet – we incubate it through our loan book. Every facility is a commercially funded test of an operator's edge. Those who prove resilient through the credit cycle evolve from borrowers into integrated partners – transforming credit risk into proprietary deal flow.
Three businesses, one platform.
Fedgroup operates across wealth management, group solutions, and alternative assets.
Wealth & Investments
Retail investment solutions offered through direct, private clients and intermediary channels.
Employee Benefits
Group risk and retirement solutions including trust administration and other fiduciary services.
Private Capital
Private capital solutions across four established & integrated strategies.
Led by experienced professionals.
Our team brings together decades of experience across investment management, technology, and operations to deliver exceptional outcomes for our investors.
Board of Directors
Grant Field
Executive Director & Group CEO
Nicole Verwey
Executive Director & CFO
Walter van der Merwe
Executive Director & CEO: Fedgroup Life
Private Markets Executive
Michael Field
MD: Group Solutions
Paul Counihan
MD: Wealth and Investments
Stefano Valenti
MD: Alternative Asset Management
Gregory Goeller
Head of Lending and Structuring
Jason Green
Partner: Alternative Asset Management (Real Estate)
Warren Winchester
Partner: Alternative Asset Management (Agriculture and Renewables)
Yudeshan Naidoo
Head of Private Clients
Lelani Zaayman
Head of Governance, Risk Management and Compliance
Sechaba Khunyeli
Head of Credit
Rob Timmis
Chief Commercial Officer
Michael Field — MD: Group Solutions
Michael Field has spent his entire career at Fedgroup, joining in 2011 as an analyst programmer. He worked through operations, product development and project leadership before spending three years as Chief Operations Officer. He now runs the Group Solutions business and leads strategy for the Private Markets platform. Michael holds an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Joined Fedgroup in 2011 as an analyst programmer and now leads Group Solutions as MD, shaping the strategy behind the Private Markets platform.
17 years of experience
Specialisations
- Private markets
- Product development
- Asset management
- Offshore structuring
- Financial engineering
Experience
- General Manager: Investments | Fedgroup
- Chief Operations Officer | Fedgroup
- Head: Projects | Fedgroup
- Product Development Manager | Fedgroup
- Operations Manager | Fedgroup
- Analyst Programmer | Fedgroup
Credentials
- RE1, RE3, RE5 | Moonstone | 2018
Education
- MBA | Gordon Institute of Business Science | 2019
- Postgraduate Diploma in General Management | Gordon Institute of Business Science | 2018
- BSc Engineering (Industrial) | University of the Witwatersrand | 2010
Paul Counihan — MD: Wealth and Investments
Paul Counihan leads Fedgroup's Wealth and Investments division. He has 25 years in private banking, wealth management and investment advisory, with senior roles at Julius Baer (in-country CEO), Absa Private Bank, FNB Private Wealth and Investec. Paul is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and completed the International Executive Development Programme through Cass Business School and Wits. He is a key individual and custodian of Fedgroup Financial Services' Category 1 licence.
Leads Fedgroup Wealth and Investments with 25 years across Julius Baer, Absa Private Bank, FNB Private Wealth and Investec. CFP-certified.
25 years of experience
Specialisations
- Private wealth management
- Investment advisory
- Financial planning
- Property finance
- Regulatory oversight
Experience
- Chief Wealth Officer | Fedgroup
- Founder | Holmz
- Chief Sales Officer | Mytelnet
- In-Country CEO | Julius Baer
- Regional Executive: Private Bank | ABSA
- Divisional Manager | FNB
- Sales Operations Manager | FNB
- Structured Lending Specialist: Private Bank | RMB
- Private Banker | Investec
- Investment Advisor | Investec Asset Management
Credentials
- CFP | Financial Planning Institute of South Africa | 2018
- HCIFM | Institute of Financial Markets | 2002
- RE1, RE3, RE5 | Moonstone | 2002
Education
- Postgraduate Certificate in Financial Planning | University of the Free State | 2017
- International Executive Development Programme | Cass Business School and University of the Witwatersrand | 2015
- Certificate in Commercial Property Finance | University of Pretoria | 2010
- BCom | University of Johannesburg | 2000
Stefano Valenti — MD: Alternative Asset Management
Stefano Valenti founded Fedgroup's Alternative Asset Management division and runs it as Managing Director. Before Fedgroup, he built and sold several businesses in mobile technology, telecommunications and digital media, including 42Mobile, Digitali and Content Connect Africa. He holds an MBA from Massey University in New Zealand and a BCom from the University of South Africa. His route into alternative investments came through building businesses, not through traditional financial services.
Founded and runs Fedgroup Alternative Asset Management. Serial entrepreneur in mobile tech and telecom before moving into alternative investments.
21 years of experience
Specialisations
- Alternative asset origination
- Deal structuring
- Venture building
- Digital platforms
- Business development
Experience
- Chief Business Officer | Fedgroup
- General Manager | Fedgroup
- Founder | Greenpeas
- Director | 42Mobile
- Director | Conycare
- Director | Digitali
- Director | CIMS
- General Manager | Content Connect Africa
- General Manager | Airgames
- Value Integrator: DMT | Toyota
Credentials
- CA(SA) | South African Institute of Chartered Accountants | 2005
Education
- MBA | Massey University | 2024
- BCom | University of South Africa | 2004
Gregory Goeller — Head of Lending and Structuring
Gregory Goeller is a CA(SA) and CFA Charterholder with over 30 years in financial services. Before joining Fedgroup as Head of Lending and Structuring, he spent nine years at Standard Bank, rising to Global COO of CIB Risk and Chief Risk Officer. He was also seconded as Special Advisor to the Deputy President of South Africa and held leadership roles at KPMG Advisory and Societe Generale. Gregory trained at KPMG in banking and finance, holds a BComm from UCT and a BCompt (Hons) from UNISA, and completed additional studies in mathematical modelling of derivatives.
CA(SA), CFA Charterholder with 30+ years in financial services. Former Global COO of CIB Risk and Chief Risk Officer at Standard Bank CIB Africa.
32 years of experience
Specialisations
- Credit risk & structured lending
- Financial modelling
- Basel capital frameworks
- Investment banking
- Portfolio governance
Experience
- Director | Anchor Point Risk
- Head: Business Development | Standard Bank Wealth & Investments
- Senior Portfolio Manager | Melville Douglas
- Executive: Corporate Banking Africa | Standard Bank CIB
- Global Chief Operating Officer: Risk | Standard Bank CIB
- Chief Risk Officer: Africa | Standard Bank CIB
- Special Advisor to the Deputy President | South African Government
- Director: Quantitative & Economic Services | KPMG Advisory
- Equity Analyst: Banking Sector | Societe Generale
- Senior Consultant | KPMG Advisory
Credentials
- CFA | CFA Institute | 2000
- CA(SA) | South African Institute of Chartered Accountants | 1995
Education
- Mathematical Modelling of Derivatives | University of South Africa | 2003
- BCompt (Hons) Accountancy | University of South Africa | 1994
- BComm | University of Cape Town | 1992
Grant Field — Executive Director & Group CEO
Grant Field has led Fedgroup as Group CEO since 2015. He joined the business in 2002 as an analyst programmer and worked through operations and technology roles, including three years as Chief Operations Officer. He holds an MBA from the University of Pretoria and a BSc in Engineering from Wits, along with RE1, RE3 and RE5 regulatory examinations. Grant oversees Fedgroup's life insurance, pension fund administration, asset management, unit trust and trust businesses, and advises several technology startups in AI and IoT.
Group CEO since 2015 who joined Fedgroup in 2002 as a programmer and rose through ops and tech. Holds an MBA (UP) and BSc Engineering (Wits).
23 years of experience
Specialisations
- Venture building
- IT & data systems
- Process engineering
- Business transformation
- AI & IOT innovation
Experience
- Group Chief Executive Officer | Fedgroup
- Chief Operations Officer | Fedgroup
- IT Analyst & Head of IT | Fedgroup/FedBond
- Programmer | Digital Nova
Credentials
- RE1, RE3, RE5 | Moonstone | 2012
Education
- MBA | University of Pretoria | 2008
- PDBA | University of Pretoria | 2005
- BSc Engineering | University of the Witwatersrand | 2001
Jason Green — Partner: Alternative Asset Management (Real Estate)
Jason Green oversees Fedgroup's Fedbond Fund and Enhanced Property Finance Fund as a Partner in the Alternative Asset Management team. He joined in 2021 after working in property development and investment management at FWJK Developments and Marr Holdings. Jason graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Property Studies from the University of Cape Town with distinction and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He co-authored a chapter in the Routledge publication "Understanding African Real Estate Markets" (2022) on digital technology in South African property transactions.
Manages the Fedbond and Enhanced Property Finance funds. Published co-author on digital tech in SA property markets (Routledge, 2022).
11 years of experience
Specialisations
- Real estate fund management
- Structured property finance
- Development due diligence
- Fund strategy
- African property markets
Experience
- General Manager: Property | Fedgroup
- Product Manager: Property | Fedgroup
- Investment Manager | Marr Holdings
- Project Manager | FWJK Developments
- Founder | Green Bookkeeping & Payroll
Credentials
- PMP | Project Management Institute | 2022
- CFA Level I | CFA Institute | 2025
Education
- BSc (Hons) Property Studies with distinction | University of Cape Town | 2020
- BSc Property Studies | University of Cape Town | 2019
- BCom Financial Management | IIE Varsity College | 2016
Warren Winchester — Partner: Alternative Asset Management (Agriculture and Renewables)
Warren Winchester manages Fedgroup's Smart Agri Fund and Green Energy Fund as a Partner in the Alternative Asset Management team. A qualified Chartered Accountant, he held financial management roles across logistics, aviation and automotive before moving into investment banking at Rand Merchant Bank in debt capital markets and structured finance. Alongside his corporate career, he has farmed, with a focus on regenerative agriculture. He joined Fedgroup in 2021 with 17 years of combined financial modelling and on-the-ground farming experience.
CA(SA) managing Fedgroup Smart Agri and Green Energy funds. Combines RMB debt capital markets experience with regenerative farming.
17 years of experience
Specialisations
- Impact investing
- Fund management
- Debt capital markets
- Regenerative agriculture
- Green energy
Experience
- General Manager: Ventures | Fedgroup
- Product Manager: Impact Farming | Fedgroup
- Group Accountant | RMB
- Financial Director | Daytona
- Financial Manager | Lanseria Airport
- Financial Manager | Access Freight Africa
Credentials
- CA(SA) | South African Institute of Chartered Accountants | 2008
Education
- BCompt (Hons) | University of Cape Town | 2007
- BCom | Rand Afrikaans University | 2003
Nicole Verwey — Executive Director & CFO
Nicole Verwey, CA(SA), is Fedgroup's Chief Financial Officer (since 2021) and Executive Director (since March 2024). She qualified at Deloitte, working in both the South African and Canadian practices as an audit specialist before joining Fedgroup's finance team. Nicole is responsible for group financial strategy, reporting and compliance, and sits on the Social and Ethics Committee and Credit Committees. She restructured the finance team and rolled out new accounting systems during a period of group growth.
CA(SA) and Fedgroup CFO since 2021 and Executive Director since March 2024. Qualified at Deloitte across South Africa and Canada.
16 years of experience
Specialisations
- IFRS & financial reporting
- Audit & assurance
- Group financial strategy
- Tax compliance
- Financial controls
Experience
- Group Financial Manager | Fedgroup
- Audit Manager | Deloitte Johannesburg
- Audit Senor | Deloitte Toronto
- Audit Trainee | Deloitte Johannesburg
Credentials
- CA(SA) | South African Institute of Chartered Accountants | 2013 | Credential ID 20025416
Education
- BCom (Hons) Accounting | University of Johannesburg | 2010
- BCom Accounting | University of Johannesburg | 2009
Walter van der Merwe — Executive Director & CEO: Fedgroup Life
Walter van der Merwe has led Fedgroup Life as CEO since 2009, when the decision was taken to transform Fedgroup from a specialist trust and participation bond company into a fully-fledged life insurance group. He oversaw the process of acquiring new licences, building new systems, innovating products and services, and employing the right people. Today, Fedgroup Life is a licensed life insurer and Fedgroup Financial Holdings is a licensed controlling company of an insurance group. Walter trained in actuarial science at the University of the Witwatersrand and started his career in life insurance at Sage Life.
CEO of Fedgroup Life since 2009, overseeing the transformation from specialist trust company to fully licensed life insurance group.
36 years of experience
Specialisations
- Life insurance design
- Retirement fund admin
- Actuarial risk
- Employee benefits
- Investment strategy
Experience
- Deputy General Manager & Head: Group Risk Admin | Discovery Life
- Assistant General Manager | Sage Life Limited
- Senior Manager | Sage Life Limited
Credentials
- RE1, RE3, RE5 | Moonstone | 2010
Education
- Post Graduate Certificate in Information Systems | Leeds Metropolitan University | 2002
- Certificate in Actuarial Techniques | Institute of Actuaries Oxford | 1994
- BEconSc Actuarial Science | University of the Witwatersrand | 1990
Yudeshan Naidoo — Head of Private Clients
Yudeshan Naidoo runs Fedgroup's private client relationships. He has 16 years in wealth management and commercial banking, including nearly a decade at FNB where he progressed from Private Banker to Product Portfolio Lead across the Private Wealth and Debtor Finance divisions. Yudeshan holds a BCom (Hons) in Corporate Finance and Investments from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Heads Fedgroup private client relationships with 16 years in wealth management and commercial banking, including nearly a decade at FNB.
16 years of experience
Specialisations
- HNW client advisory
- Private wealth management
- Commercial lending
- Product structuring
- Sales operations
Experience
- Product Portfolio Lead | FNB
- Debtor Finance: Portfolio Manager – Operations & Projects | FNB
- Sales & Service Manager: Private Wealth | FNB
- Private Banker: Private Wealth | FNB
Credentials
- RE1, RE3, RE5 | Moonstone | 2024
Education
- BCom (Hons) Corporate Finance and Investments | University of the Witwatersrand | 2009
- BCom Finance, Management and Marketing | University of the Witwatersrand | 2008
Lelani Zaayman — Head of Governance, Risk Management and Compliance
Lelani Zaayman heads Fedgroup's governance, risk management and compliance function. She is an admitted attorney, conveyancer and notary public of the High Court of South Africa, with an LLB cum laude (2007) and LLM in Law of Contract (2009) from the University of Pretoria. Before Fedgroup, she led legal and compliance at PFS Group, Global Independent Administrators. Her compliance qualifications include CPrac SA, CRM Prac, AMLCA and a Certificate in Compliance Risk Management, plus RE1, RE3, RE4 and FAIS Compliance Officer, MLCO/MLRO and POPIA Information Officer registrations. Lelani is currently working towards a Doctor of Laws (LLD) in Trade and Business Law at North-West University.
Admitted attorney and conveyancer heading Fedgroup governance, risk management and compliance. Pursuing a doctorate in trade and business law at NWU.
17 years of experience
Specialisations
- Regulatory compliance
- Corporate governance
- AML & sanctions
- Enterprise risk management
- Contract law
Experience
- Head of Legal & Compliance: PFS Group | Prime Investments
- Legal & Compliance Officer: PFS Group | Prime Investments
- Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer | Newtons Incorporated
Credentials
- Admitted Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public | High Court of South Africa | 2009
- Certificate in Compliance Risk Management | University of Johannesburg | 2010
- CPrac SA | Institute of Risk Management South Africa | 2023
- CRM Prac | Institute of Risk Management South Africa | 2024
- AMLCA | Institute of Risk Management South Africa | 2025
- RE1, RE3, RE4 | Moonstone | 2017
- CISCA & FAIS Compliance Officer | FSCA | 2010
- MLCO & MLRO | FIC | 2010
- POPIA Information Officer | Information Regulator SA | 2013
Education
- LLD in Trade and Business Law | North-West University | in progress
- LLM Law of Contract | University of Pretoria | 2009
- LLB cum laude | University of Pretoria | 2007
Sechaba Khunyeli — Head of Credit
Sechaba Khunyeli heads Fedgroup's credit function. He has over 16 years in banking and credit portfolio management, having managed credit exposures of roughly R30 billion at Standard Bank (from quantitative analyst to Group Credit Portfolio Reporting Manager) and at Lesaka Technologies, where he led consumer lending. Sechaba holds a BCom (Hons) in Monetary and Finance Economics from the University of Johannesburg and has passed CFA Levels I and II. He completed the Oxford Strategic Management Executive Programme at Saïd Business School and is currently enrolled for an MBA at Henley Business School. He works across IFRS 9, Basel capital modelling and leveraged finance.
Heads credit at Fedgroup with 16+ years in banking and credit portfolio management. Managed ~R30bn exposures at Standard Bank. Passed CFA Level II.
17 years of experience
Specialisations
- Credit portfolio management
- IFRS 9 & Basel modelling
- Leveraged finance
- Consumer lending
- ESG credit integration
Experience
- Head of Lending: Consumer | Lesaka Technologies
- Group Credit Portfolio Reporting Manager | Standard Bank
- Portfolio Manager: Commercial Asset Finance | Standard Bank
- Quantitative Analyst: Capital & Impairment Modelling | Standard Bank
- Analyst: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance | Standard Bank
- Portfolio Manager: Credit | Standard Bank
- Portfolio Manager: VAF Business & Commercial | Standard Bank
- Credit Analyst: Home Loans Collections | ABSA
- Pricing Specialist: Vehicle Asset Finance | ABSA
- Commercial Management Intern | Ericsson
Credentials
- CFA Level II | CFA Institute | 2021
- Oxford Strategic Management Executive Programme | Saïd Business School, University of Oxford | 2025
- Verified International Academic Qualifications | World Education Services | 2021
- Data Management 1 | SAS | 2014
Education
- MBA | Henley Business School | in progress
- Oxford Strategic Management Executive Programme | Saïd Business School, University of Oxford | 2025
- BCom (Hons) Monetary and Finance Economics | University of Johannesburg | 2012
- BCom Economics and Econometrics | University of Johannesburg | 2010
Rob Timmis — Chief Commercial Officer
Rob Timmis is Fedgroup's Chief Commercial Officer. A registered Professional Engineer (Pr Eng), he spent the first decade of his career in renewable energy, including roles at Emergent Energy (CEO and COO), EXOSUN and Amec Foster Wheeler, before founding Matriarch, a sustainable ventures business. Rob holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. He came to financial services from engineering and energy, which is not the typical path for the role.
Registered Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) turned CCO. Previously CEO of Emergent Energy and founder of sustainable ventures business Matriarch.
19 years of experience
Specialisations
- Commercial strategy
- Renewable energy
- Project delivery
- Green technology
- Venture creation
Experience
- Director | Matriarch
- Managing Director | Matriarch
- Director | Imbewu Financial Services
- Director | Haibot
- Director | LekaLink
- Director | Quantum Bridge
- Director | Intellicomms
- Director | Emergent Energy
- Director | Fedgroup Green Energy Fund
- Director | Fedgroup Renewables Capital
- Chief Executive Officer | Emergent Energy
- Chief Operating Officer | Emergent Energy
- Operations Director | EXOSUN
- Senior Project Engineer | Amec Foster Wheeler
- Mechanical Engineering Consultant | Amec Foster Wheeler
- Mechanical Project Engineer | NCI Energy Consultants
Credentials
- Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) | Engineering Council of South Africa | 2012
Education
- BSc Mechanical Engineering | University of Cape Town | 2007
Built on accountability.
Private markets require trust. We've structured our business to earn it – through independent oversight, regulatory licencing, and 35 years of institutional discipline.
Board Oversight
- Group Board
- Executive Committee
- Audit and Risk Committee
- Investment Committee
Credit & Risk Management
- Credit and Loss Control
- Credit Risk Management
- Asset Management Committees
- External Auditors
Regulatory and Statutory
- FSCA
- Prudential Authority
- NCA
Eight licences. One standard.
Fedgroup Financial Holdings is a licenced controlling company. Our subsidiaries are authorised across financial services, asset management, collective investments, and credit provision – all held to the same governance framework.
Fedgroup Financial Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
Fedgroup Asset Management (Pty) Ltd.
Fedgroup Financial Services (Pty) Ltd.
Fedgroup Life Limited
Fedgroup Trust Administrators (Pty) Ltd.
Fedgroup Management (RF) (Pty) Ltd.
Fedgroup Employee Benefits (Pty) Ltd.
Fedgroup Participation Bond Managers (RF) (Pty) Ltd.
The licences displayed are held by subsidiaries of Fedgroup Financial Holdings (Pty) Ltd (Reg: 2015/412407/07). The tokenised investment offering contemplated by Fedgroup Private Markets is not governed by these licences. Tokenisation requires a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (Act No. 37 of 2002). Fedgroup intends to operate as a juristic representative on the CASP licence of a licensed third-party partner, to be disclosed once finalised. No tokenised products are available at this time.