Benjamin Kodisang

Kodisang, who was formerly GM of Old Mutual’s employee benefits division, took over from Ian Watt from January 1.

Watt will now focus on growing Old Mutual Properties’ international presence and looking for properties that boost its business in other countries.

Kodisang, 34, who matriculated at St Stithians in Johannesburg and obtained a B.Comm degree from the University of Natal, says he is "excited" about heading the second-largest property owner in SA. The biggest property holder is government.

Old Mutual Properties focuses on three areas, namely asset management, property management and development.

On the future of the business, Kodisang, who obtained an honours degree at Unisa, says that Old Mutual Properties’ biggest opportunity will be to increase the number of clients the company has under management.

"In order to increase the number of clients under management our biggest challenge will be to sell property as an asset class to the institutional savings market," he says.

Kodisang says that Old Mutual Properties also wants to play an active role in the ongoing property charter process and further its international aspirations.