South African CIO Scoops Investment Award

(October 14, 2013) – South Africa’s Government Employee’s Pension Fund (GEPF) has been celebrated as Africa’s best institutional investor, and its CIO was named up and coming future leader of the year.

John Oliphant, who runs ZAR1 trillion ($100 billion) for the Africa’s largest pension fund, was said to have been “overwhelmed” at his personal accolade, and praised his pension fund’s award as a sign of “the hard work and dedication of his colleagues”.

The awards were announced at an invitation-only ceremony at the Ritz Carlton, during the World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, DC.

The international Africa Investment Awards are designed to reward exceptional business practices, economic achievements and investments across Africa, recognising the institutions and individuals improving the continent’s investment climate.

Writing on GEPF’s site after the event, Oliphant said: “I have said on many occasions that GEPF has a responsibility to ensure its investments serve the long-term interests of all our stakeholders and make significant and sustainable contributions to the infrastructure and development of Africa. This award recognises the valuable work we are doing.”

The GEPF was formed in 1996, following a merger of several public sector retirement systems. Oliphant joined the fund in 2008, a tricky time for all in the financial world, but especially tough for those in emerging markets.

Oliphant is currently the chairman of the Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa and was last voted on to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment council. He previously worked as head of quantitative investing at South African asset manager StanLib.

Could Oliphant have a further accolade in the making as a member of aiCIO’s Power 100? Look out for the full list, which will be rolled out next week.

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