Ridhaa Hoffman
Johannesburg,South Africa
Summary
Senior underwriting management professional with 20 years’ experience in short-term insurance across commercial and personal lines. Proven track record in portfolio profitability, underwriting governance, product design, risk management, and talent development. Currently leading underwriting strategy and execution for Santam Client Solutions (SCS), ensuring profitable, sustainable growth and underwriting discipline aligned to Santam’s risk appetite.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work history
Head of Underwriting – Santam Client Solutions (SCS)
Santam Limited
Sandton
2025.07 - 2026.02
- Deliver financial and profitability targets in collaboration with Pricing, Product, Operations and Distribution.
- Design and maintain underwriting rules, processes, and governance frameworks.
- Oversee policy wording, underwriting manuals and ensure alignment to regulatory requirements.
- Partner with Pricing to define rating parameters and risk models.
- Monitor global underwriting trends and adapt innovative solutions for the South African market.
- Engage with brokers and stakeholders on complex underwriting issues to drive market growth.
- Ensure adherence to underwriting governance, mandates, and compliance reporting.
- Guide reinsurance structures and engage Santam Reinsurance for optimal risk transfer.
- Lead and develop the SCS underwriting team with focus on specialist capability and succession.
- Represent Santam at industry forums and engage stakeholders on insurance and risk matters.
Regional Underwriting Manager
Old Mutual Insure
2013.01 - 2025.06
- Led underwriting operations for the largest region with portfolios over R1 billion.
- Managed 70+ staff across Commercial and Personal Lines.
- Drove change initiatives including Salesforce SME implementation.
- Ensured governance, service delivery, and cost efficiency.
- Developed and mentored underwriting teams.
Assistant Manager: Risk & Underwriting
Old Mutual Insure
2011.10 - 2013.02
- Supervised daily underwriting operations and ensured performance standards.
- Supported strategic planning and profitability initiatives.
- Mentored staff and implemented capability-development programmes.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Management Practices (NQF8)
Henley Business School
Management Advancement Programme - NQF8 equivalent
Wits Business School
Higher Certificate - Insurance Studies (NQF5)
UNISA
RE1 - Key Individual
Moonstone
Skills
- Underwriting Strategy & Governance
- Portfolio Profitability & Growth Management
- Commercial & Personal Lines Underwriting
- Product Design & Policy Wording
- Risk Appetite & Delegated Authorities
- Reinsurance & Risk Transfer
- Broker & Stakeholder Engagement
- Leadership & Talent Development
- Change & Transformation Management
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Underwriting – Santam Client Solutions (SCS)
Santam Limited
2025.07 - 2026.02
Regional Underwriting Manager
Old Mutual Insure
2013.01 - 2025.06
Assistant Manager: Risk & Underwriting
Old Mutual Insure
2011.10 - 2013.02
Management Advancement Programme - NQF8 equivalent
Wits Business School
Higher Certificate - Insurance Studies (NQF5)
UNISA
RE1 - Key Individual
Moonstone
Postgraduate Diploma - Management Practices (NQF8)
Henley Business School