CDH welcomes Eben Smit as a Director in the Corporate & Commercial practice

Eben previously served as the Group Legal Counsel and Group Company Secretary for the JSE-listed Clientèle insurance group and thereafter as the Senior Legal Counsel for Hollard Life Assurance Company Limited and The Hollard Insurance Company Limited, where he oversaw and managed all legal affairs of these life- and non-life insurance businesses. In his former roles, Eben provided strategic legal guidance to Boards and Executive Management, managed mergers and acquisitions, supported compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and negotiated and drafted complex commercial agreements.

“Eben’s appointment brings invaluable expertise to our clients in navigating the legal and regulatory landscape of financial services and insurance,” says CDH CEO Brent Williams. “Beyond regulatory matters, he strengthens our ability to provide practical, business-focused legal solutions - from high-value transactions to governance and corporate strategy - tailored to clients’ objectives and from vision to fruition.”

Ian Hayes, Head of the Corporate & Commercial practice, adds, “Eben’s extensive experience in corporate governance, compliance, and transactional matters ensures clients benefit from strategic advice aligned with their business goals. He will provide strong support for M&As, assist with structuring and executing complex commercial agreements, and guide clients through regulatory and compliance challenges.” Ian concludes, “Having collaborated with CDH previously, Eben will integrate seamlessly into our practice, ensuring clients continue to receive our high-quality service without disruption.”