Ep 68: Redefining Isotope Enrichment and South Africa’s Energy Potential - Paul Mann
Can South Africa play a pivotal role in delivering affordable sustainable energy to developing nations?Â
Michael Avery dives into this topic with Paul Mann, CEO of ASP Isotopes, on the latest episode of the Monocle Banking Podcast. Revolutionising the isotope industry, Paul shares his insights on how South Africa is emerging as a potential global hub for isotopes and small modular reactors, highlighting the country’s exceptional engineering talent, especially in nuclear technology.
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28:24
Ep 67: Banking on Stability: A Year of Deposit Protection in SA - Sabihah Mohamed
After a year of operations in South Africa, Michael Avery was re-joined by Sabihah Mohamed, CEO of The Corporation for Deposit Insurance (CODI), for an insider's perspective on the nation's deposit protection framework. They delved into the organisation's first year, exploring the challenges and successes in raising awareness, and the proactive steps being taken to safeguard depositors' funds and maintain a stable banking environment.
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25:05
Ep 66: Building on Enablement: Huge Group's Digital Journey – James Herbst
This week, Michael Avery was joined by CEO of Huge Group, James Herbst. They delved into the strategic evolution of Huge Group, a South African investment firm that started as a traditional telecom player and is now positioning itself as a digital investment powerhouse. James unpacked the company's journey, including the acquisition of Virgin Mobile and the launch of NXTGN, revealing their unique approach to building a digital ecosystem in a challenging market.
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41:44
Ep 65: From Risk to Reward: How Insurance is Reshaping M&A - Nirav Modi
In today’s complex dealmaking landscape, transactional risk insurance is emerging as a strategic advantage rather than just a safety net. In this episode, Michael Avery was joined by Nirav Modi, Marsh’s Private Equity and M&A Services Practice Leader for the Middle East and Africa. They explored how insurance solutions have expanded beyond traditional uses to bridge valuation gaps, instil confidence, and reshape investment narratives—particularly in emerging markets like Africa, where outdated risk perceptions have often hindered investment.
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25:42
Ep 64: Solid Growth Amidst Uncertainty: SA Banks' Key Takeaways for FY24 - Rivaan Roopnarain & Francois Prinsloo
Despite a challenging economic backdrop in South Africa, the country's major banks again displayed impressive resilience in FY2024. This week, Michael Avery sat down with PwC Africa experts Rivaan Roopnarain, Banking and Capital Markets Partner, and Francois Prinsloo, Banking and Capital Markets Leader, who highlighted that the banks' performance stemmed from balance sheet growth, rising income, and pan-African contributions, alongside improved returns and asset quality. Looking ahead, the experts discussed the banks' ongoing strategic focus on technology investment, skills development, ESG, and sustainable finance integration.
The Monocle Banking Podcast, in partnership with esteemed financial journalist, Michael Avery, will explore the world of banking - beyond the vaults and virtual wallets. This weekly series will play host to some of the top minds in the banking industry from around the world.