Frederick Muller was recently appointed as the Managing Director of Alexforbes Investments. With two decades of experience within Alexforbes, Muller says he would like to inspire the people working with him, foster close relationships with existing clients and bring innovative solutions and products to the market.
Muller talks to Observer Money about his new role and how he hopes to take the company forward.
Observer Money (OM): You have assumed the new role as MD at Alexforbes, how would you describe the current business environment in which you operate in?
Frederick Muller (FM): I have assumed the role of MD of Alexander Forbes Investments Namibia. Our clients are institutional pension and retirement funds and therefore ultimately retirement and pension fund members. The current business environment is positive with the country experiencing relatively good GDP growth and there are very good prospects for the economy to grow by a much faster rate in future. The political stability and sound macroeconomic management in Namibia stand the country in good stead from an economic growth perspective.
(OM): How do you hope to add value to the operations of Alexforbes?
(FM): I would like to inspire the people working with me, foster close relationships with existing clients and bring innovative solutions and products to the market.
OM: What are some of the challenges facing Alexforbes and the rest of the industry at the moment?
(FM): Investment markets are currently very volatile given the high interest rate environment. Low preservation rates amongst retirement fund members (that is the preservation of retirement benefit when a member resigns from his/her employer) are also a big concern for the retirement investment industry as a whole.
OM: What are the future plans for Alexforbes on the Namibian market?
(FM): We have very exciting plans in that we want to launch unique investments products, and we want to build and expand the brand and business in Namibia.
(OM): How would you describe the investment and financial services industry in Namibia?
(FM): The investment and financial services industries are going from strength to strength in Namibia. The competition is strong and there are continually new players entering these industries. These industries are also well regulated and set to prosper should Namibia’s economy continue on a good growth path.
(OM): Is there anything that you wish to add?
(FM): We would like to make use of our insights, skills and expertise to provide sound advice as well as outstanding multi-management investment portfolios that will have a significant positive impact on the future of all our investment clients and retirement and pension fund members.
