Obituary: Dawid Welman

Dawid Welman, founder of the Namibian chapter of the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) and head of group risk management at Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies (O&L Group), has died suddenly.

An IRMSA statement said: “It is with great sadness that we advise of the recent passing on of one of IRMSA’s most esteemed members, Dawid Welman. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues.

“Dawid was an incredibly active member of IRMSA and has been a driving force on the IRMSA Namibia committee as the chairperson since it was initiated a few years ago.”

IRMSA added: “Dawid will always be remembered as a committed member and it has been an honour for so many of us to work with him, particularly with his love and passion for IRMSA and risk management. Dawid will be sorely missed by so many.”

Mr Welman was the head: group risk management at O&L Group from 2009. In this capacity he was responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of the risk management framework and strategy within the group and its subsidiaries.

In November 2015, he received a Certificate of Special Mention by IRMSA in recognition of exceptional work done in the field of risk management, and then went on to receive the first Africa Risk Management Award in 2018.

Mr Welman was honoured with the Africa Risk Management Award for his outstanding contribution to, and role in promoting, risk management. The Africa Risk Award was presented this year for the first time by IRMSA to a risk manager who operates in the position of a head of risk management or as a chief risk officer for a period not less than three years. The nominee must have an exceptional track record in risk management and must also have contributed significantly towards the risk industry.
Mr Welman’s career at the O&L Group started in 2009, when he was appointed in the position of group risk manager, and since 2014 as head: group risk management.

O&L said: “During this time he has contributed significantly to the success of the O&L Group through the risk management function; he also played a leading role in establishing the IRMSA – Namibia chapter, of which he is currently the chairman.”

Before working with O&L, Mr Welman had been group risk manager at Irvin and Johnson in Cape Town.