The 1.618 STS Team:
The 1.618 team comprises highly skilled Commercial and Domestic Advisors,
whose aim it is to ensure that you have comprehensive cover in place to protect your belongings and
assets. With services in short-term insurance, we are dedicated to ensuring that you reap paramount
benefits through our planners’ professionalism.
Executive Team
Candice Giles
1.618 Group CEO
At the helm of 1.618 is Candice Giles, whose sheer determination to be successful in business and life means that she doesn’t accept anything less than excellence. Candice heads up operations, training and development within 1.618. These are skills which she gained from years of working her way up within Discovery, where she was repeatedly recognized as one of the top ten consultants in the country. Candice is a believer in creating opportunities, and her journey to leading 1.618, which is one of Discovery’s top associated brokerages is testimony to that. Candice and her brother, Tyrone Hodgson, started 1.618 Advisory Services from the need to create, and leave, a phenomenal legacy. Their partnership is unique in that they have shared the same goals, vision and values from childhood.
Tyrone Hodgson
Director of 1.618 Group
It’s not about the products we sell but rather about the plans around it. The product is secondary to the advice. It will always be about offering appropriate advice versus putting the emphasis on what’s available.’ Tyrone is a detail-oriented person with a desire to be valuable in his business relationships so, over the years, he has identified the intrinsic inner-workings of insurance systems. Through keen observation and his passion for learning, Tyrone has saved his clients hundreds of thousands of rands where others had overlooked ambiguities in the system. Tyrone’s approach is always about educating, growing, assisting and encouraging his clients on many levels. This drive is what has brought Tyrone, and his sister Candice, to head up one of the top three biggest distributing offices that Discovery has to offer. With this position of influence, global reach is a natural evolution as 1.618 secures its place in the financial advisor sector of London.
Management Team
Michelle Bates
Operations & Claims Manager / Account Executive
Michelle has been in the short term insurance industry since 1994. She has a wealth of
knowledge and aims to facilitate and maintain high-quality standards from a motivated
team to ensure that clients’ needs are always a priority. Michelle is dedicated and
committed to 1.618 and aims to ensure that everyone is aligned in their drive to be the
best with excellent service and a commitment to doing what is best for clients. She is
loyal and believes 1.618 is a company that can enable a real partnership relationship
based on confidence, credibility and mutual benefit.
michelle.bates@1618.co.za
Alan Oosthuizen
New Business & Finance Manager
Alan started his short-term insurance journey in 2014. He has attained full FAIS compliance along the way. Beginning his career by adeptly handling claims and domestic sales as an insurer, he gradually honed his expertise in commercial insurance. Since joining 1.618 in February 2019, Alan has transitioned into a pivotal role, overseeing finance and spearheading new business initiatives. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Alan excels in client interactions, swiftly identifying potential gaps and delivering top-notch service and advice to ensure client satisfaction.
alan@1618.co.za
Lauren Jacklin
KZN Regional Office Manager / Commercial & Underwriting Specialist
Lauren has been in the industry since 2009, and specialises in short term commercial
and personal lines administration and claims. She has managed the administrative and
claims in commercial lines and manages our Durban short term offices. Working with
people is Lauren’s passion, and she prides herself in being direct, communicative and
keeping clients satisfied and informed on their commercial policies.
lauren@1618.co.za
Michael Salant
Specialist Consultant
Michael Salant was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 1987. Shortly thereafter, he began his career within the short-term insurance industry, together with a large corporate broker. His professional qualifications, BA LLB and ACIII, have supported his offerings within the insurance industry by combining his insurance and legal knowledge and experience to the benefit of his clientele. Salant has occupied diverse technical and managerial positions within the short-term insurance industry and has further operated within the life and investments sectors accumulatively over the last 30-plus years.
Sean Styles
General Manager of Cape Town Short Term Solutions
In 2001, Sean Styles started his career in a family business in the trucking industry in KwaZulu-Natal, where he experienced the problems and risks associated with Fleet Management, Import/Export, and logistics first-hand. In 2008, eager to make a difference, he joined the Corporate Insurance world, focusing on Specialised Risk Cover like Marine, Transport, and Warehousing. Sean’s insights uniquely positioned him for designing tailor-made risk products to fit the transporters' needs and address genuine risk within the logistics industry. In 2015 Sean formed his own Insurance Brokerage, Styles and Company, and focused primarily on Special Risks, broadening the area of specialisation by hand-picking experts in the industry to focus on Professional Indemnity, Directors and Officers, Cyber Liability and Commercial Insurance. In 2022, Styles and Company merged with 1.618.
Sales & Support Team
Natalie Vrey
Account Executive / Commercial Specialist
Natalie has been in short term industry since 2013, during which
she has learnt
how to generate leads and sit in front of high-income individuals and
business
owners. She
is a young professional constantly looking to develop her talents in the
Financial and
Insurance industry, specialising in domestic and commercial insurance
sales.
natalie@1618.co.za
Micloud Malapo
Sales Executive / Personal Lines
Micloud is a sales-oriented professional with expertise in client relationship management, customer satisfaction and retention, and people management. He possesses astute business knowledge, and has experience contributing to strategic planning while delivering improvements in processes.
Emma Hamza
Administrative Assistant
Emma Hamza is recognised for her friendly demeanor and passion for engaging with clients. Her journey in the short-term insurance industry commenced back in 2011 with Santam, where she specialised in both Commercial and Personal Lines as an Insurance Consultant. Guided by the values of helping others and delivering quality work, Emma brings extensive experience and skills to her role. Since November 2023, Emma has served as an Administrative Assistant alongside Zaida in the 1.618 Sea Point office in Cape Town. She expresses enthusiasm about being part of the 1.618 family and finds joy in her work, striving to make a positive impact on the business unit.
Tersia Botes
Portfolio Manager & Account Executive
Tersia has been in the industry since 2004. She started off in the Claims department moving into the Personal, Commercial Departments with specialised products like Hospitality, Contractors All Risk, Marine. Obtaining all required qualifications & Key Individual certificate over the years. Her passion for the industry & dealing directly with clients made her become an independent broker and she grew her own portfolio. This gave her the opportunity to build good relationships with clients on a business & personal level. The drive for perfection, communication & attention to detail ensure that she can provide the best service to client’s insurance requirements.
Henk Le Roux
Sales Executive / Personal Lines
Henk has been in short term industry since 2008, sales and client
service
experience behind him,
Henk Le Roux
has been at the frontlines in getting clients the best possible coverage
as a
broker. With
his level of commitment, diligence and sheer passion for the industry he
adds
infinite value
to our clients at 1.618 Short Term Solutions.
henk@1618.co.za
Xandri Zervas
Claims Specialist
Xandri is a committed and very competitive Claims Specialist, she has gained experience in the Short-Term Insurance industry since 2019 and has a sound knowledge about all insurance products and claims procedures with various insurance companies in both Personal and Commercial Lines. She accepts challenges with a goal to stand out and perform above expectations. Claims has always been her passion and with her excellent problem-solving skills she is exceptional at what she does. She believes that listening is a skill and customer service is the key to success, therefor she always strives to listen to her client’s needs and give them the best claims experience possible.
Zandré Stapelberg
Account Executive
Zandré has been immersed in the insurance sector since 2014, gaining extensive expertise in commercial and business insurance. Over the years, he has developed a deep understanding of the industry, enhancing his ability to view and assess businesses holistically. Zandré is known for his strong analytical skills, swift decision-making, effective problem-solving, and results-oriented approach.
Lorraine Oosthuizen
Commercial Claims Specialist
Lorraine is an ambitious Commercial Claims Specialist who has developed a mature and responsible approach to any task that she undertakes, or situation that she is presented with. She thrives on new challenges irrespective of how large or small and believes that one should be part of learning organisations to ensure effective learning and development. She has 7 years’ experience in the Short Term Insurance industry where she strives to make a significant contribution by applying her skills and knowledge.
Izel Daniels
Claims & Servicing Consultant
Izel has many years experience in short term personal line insurance. As an individual, she portrays qualities such as dedication, strong administrative skills and attention to detail. She joined 1.618 Short Term Consulting as a servicing consultant where she has worked and grown, thus enabling her to form trusting relationships with clients and stakeholders and to provide clients with the best customer service possible. Her interactions with clients every day include identifying their business requirements, dealing with amendments, queries, new business conversions, delegation of leads and various other daily tasks. Izel also provides client support timeously, accurately and professionally at all times. She has excellent problem-solving skills, coupled with her analytical thought process and ability to learn quickly. She considers herself to be humble, hardworking, and passionate about people
Grace Zengeni
Claims & Servicing Consultant
Grace has had the privilege of working in the financial services industry since 2017 and currently fills the role of claims consultant, vitality specialist and admin – short term insurance personal lines. As an individual, she portrays qualities such as dedication, strong administrative skills and attention to detail. Due to her excellent problem-solving skills, coupled with her analytical thought process and ability to learn quickly, she has been exposed to various aspects of the industry, thus enabling her to form trusting relationships with clients and stakeholders and to provide clients with the best customer service possible. She considers herself to be humble, hardworking, and passionate about people. Grace believes that one needs to react positively to any new challenges, both professionally and personally so that accurate results can be delivered.
Zaidah Jones
Administrative Assistant
With a passion for excellence in the insurance industry, Zaidah has been dedicated to delivering outstanding service since 2018. As a Short Term Insurance Administrator, she is known for her meticulous attention to detail and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Zaidah’s high emotional intelligence allows her to connect with clients, ensuring their needs are met with empathy and understanding. Her exceptional ability to absorb and apply new information enables her to navigate the complexities of the insurance landscape efficiently. Zaidah continuously strives to enhance her skills and knowledge, ensuring that she provides the best possible solutions for her clients.
Desiree Varvarigos
Portfolio Manager
Desiree has been in the short-term insurance industry since 2000. She started gaining her knowledge with CIB dealing with domestic portfolios. She then moved from underwriting to personal and commercial claims at AC&E. She also has a broker consultant background which is advantageous in the broker space knowing the other side of the fence from the insurers point of view. Her passion and joy for liaising directly with clients brought her to her current position with 1.618 Short Term Solutions. She is a versatile and results orientated professional with good communication skills and an enthusiastic nature. She ensures an exceptional customer experience in the service she provides
Keletso Rauleka
Administrative Assistant
Keletso has been with the 1.618 Group since 2020. She joined the Short Term team in 2021 as a Lead Warmer. Currently Keletso assists on the administration side. She is a very open minded person who’s eager to learn something new, she is meticulous in carrying out any assigned duties and attention to detail is key.
Siya Yekani
Discovery Insure Servicing Consultant
Siyamthanda is a goal-driven, multi-disciplined individual who embraces risk and seeks out opportunities. She holds a BCom degree in Financial Management and is passionate about the financial industry. She achieved FAIS Accreditation through Discovery Insure and accumulated four years of experience in Personal Line Insurance as a broker consultant before moving to 1.618 in 2023.
She is proud to be part of the intimate and vibrant 1.618 group as a client servicing consultant. Her goal is to continuously upskill, learn, and grow both personally and professionally. She is committed to enhancing her expertise in the insurance industry, aligning with her qualifications and 1.618’s values, to create long-term wealth and security for her clients.
Mogie Singh
Administrative Manager Personal Lines
Mogie has been in the short term industry since 2005. She started
gaining her
knowledge with ABSA Brokers dealing with commercial and domestic
portfolios. She
was also a
financial planner with ABSA Advisors but returned to the short term
sector. She
then moved
on to CIB where she was the sales assistant for the KZN region dealing
with
brokers only.
Her passion and joy for liaising directly with clients brought her to
her
current position
with 1.618 Short Term Solutions. She has excellent relationships with
clients
attending to
all their claims and queries and ensures that all their insurance needs
are met.
Her drive
for perfection in her tasks and her light-hearted personality promises
to keep
clients happy
with their choice of brokerage.
mogie@1618.co.za
Teboho Mokoena
Sales Executive / Personal Lines
Teboho embarked on her journey in the short-term insurance industry in 2015, ensuring full compliance with FAIS regulations. With prior experience at a brokerage focusing on sales and client services, Teboho has found her niche as a Discovery Insure Specialist. Thrilled to be part of a dynamic and rapidly expanding team, she relishes the opportunity to contribute to the company's image and service excellence. Teboho's commitment to her work extends beyond her current role, as she intends to pursue further studies to enhance her skills in quality assurance, training, and teamwork.
Sinakho Goba
Sales Executive / Personal Lines
Sinakho Goba is an accomplished Accounts Executive with rich experience spanning over a decade in the financial services industry. With expertise in both short and long-term financial planning since 2013, he has developed a specialisation in Personal Lines. Sinakho also excels in various areas including Customer Insight, Customer Support, Customer Service, Multi-cultural Team Management, and Financial Planning. He is a dedicated professional with a Higher Certificate in Financial Planning with a focus on Financial Management Services from Milpark Education, School of Financial Planning and Insurance.
Dalene Cain
Sales Executive / Personal Lines
Dalene brings extensive expertise to the Insurance Industry, specialising in both Long-Term and Short-Term Insurance since 2010. Her profound understanding of Insurance products is coupled with exceptional customer relations and interpersonal abilities. Her primary focus is on ensuring equitable treatment for clients while delivering outstanding customer service. She possesses a rich background encompassing Sales, Customer Service, and Quality Assurance. Additionally, she demonstrates strong leadership capabilities and holds qualifications in Generic Management and Wealth Management.
Kelsey Ainsworth
Administrative Assistant
Kelsey has joined our Durban team assisting with administrative duties and responsibilities. Kelsey comes from a legal background, working as a legal secretary for a reputable Durban law firm. Kelsey boasts a B Com Marketing Management Degree, and her enthusiasm and determined nature serves her well in her role at 1.618 Short Term Solutions.
