by
Fundi Maseko
|
April 2025
For our very first digital edition, we get up-close and personal with our CEO, Suzanne Stevens. Suzanne is a founder of BrightRock and she’s been instrumental in us achieving remarkable milestones over the years.
She lets us in on why connections are important and her business focus for 2025. And on the personal front, we find out what she does to relax and who her favourite superhero is. Let’s get to know our CEO a little better.
1
What do you think sets us apart as BrightRockers?
It’s our ability to embrace change and our passion for making a difference. BrightRockers are innovative, adaptable, and always looking for ways to improve and do things differently. We’re not afraid to challenge convention, and we’re deeply committed to our clients. That combination of innovation and genuine care makes us stand out.
2
What does connection mean to you?
Connection, to me, is about meaningful relationships – whether in business, with colleagues, clients, or in our personal lives. It’s about understanding and supporting one another, listening to each other, sharing ideas, and building something greater together.
BrightRock was born out of connection – around a dining room table, where a group of people came together to debate how to build a business that truly centred around meeting peoples’ needs. It wasn’t just a discussion; it was a rigorous debate, a challenging of the status quo, and a deep engagement with different viewpoints. That spirit of robust discussion and embracing diverse perspectives is still at the heart of how we do things today.
3
Why are human connections important?
At BrightRock, we talk about the importance of being able to #LoveChange. We recognise that each of us – as individuals and as a business – must constantly navigate change. And in my view, it is precisely human connection that enables us to not only face these challenges but also to succeed in overcoming them.
In the business context, human connection is the key to finding solutions, engaging with many different views and ways of working that lead to real, needs-matched outcomes for our clients. We know that user experience and a client-centric, needs-matched focus are the key to success in our industry. At the heart of it all are people – our ability to connect with one another, to truly listen and understand, and to create solutions that meet real human needs.
In fact, this belief is reflected in the very design of our BrightRock logo. At its centre is the bright amber human figure we fondly refer to as Iris. Iris serves as a reminder that at the heart of BrightRock – at the very centre of all we do – is human connection, whether that’s with our advisers, our clients, or each of us working together in the business. Human connection is not just something we value; it is what defines us at BrightRock.
4
What is your business focus for 2025?
At BrightRock, 2025 is a year of growth, making sure we continue to deliver for our clients and looking ahead at future innovation.
At the same time, we’re committed to strengthening our internal culture, ensuring BrightRock remains a place where our people thrive and feel a strong sense of purpose. A key part of this is looking at how we can work smarter and more efficiently – finding ways to refine our processes, embrace technology, and enhance collaboration so that we can deliver even better needs-matched solutions to our policyholders and advisers.
By continuously improving the way we work, we not only create a more dynamic and agile business but also free up space for future innovation and growth. This focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and client-centricity will be at the core of everything we do in 2025 and beyond. #LoveChange!
5
Where do you see BrightRock in the next five years?
I see BrightRock continuing to grow as a bold player that stays true to our needs-matched approach and challenges the traditional life insurance industry. We’ll keep focusing on leading the way and bringing more flexibility, relevance, and customer-centricity to the industry. We’ll also continue to focus on building a company that’s not just successful but is also a high-performance, fast-paced, great place to work.
6
What are some of the things you’re most proud of that BrightRock has done over the past almost 14 years?
There’s so much to be proud of! From launching a truly world-first, needs-matched life insurance solution to growing into a recognised and respected brand, BrightRock’s journey has been extraordinary. We’ve built a business that challenges the status quo, embraces change, and, most importantly, puts people at the centre of what we do.
I’m particularly proud of the real impact we’ve had – not just in the industry but in the lives of our clients. In the past year alone, we’ve paid close to R1 billion in claims to South African families, helping them navigate difficult change in their lives. That’s what BrightRock is all about – being there when it matters and delivering on our mission to create change for good.
We’ve also faced and overcome significant challenges as a business in the past 14 years. We started as an unknown company with a brand-new, radically different product. We had no established name, no existing servicing infrastructure, and had to build everything from scratch. Yet, through relentless focus, innovation, and commitment, we’ve grown into one of the preeminent and largest life insurers in the South African independent intermediary market. Today, we’re competing for a top three spot in new business volumes – an incredible achievement.
But this is just the beginning. Everything we’ve built so far is the platform for our next stage of growth. The journey ahead is filled with even more opportunity, and together we are ready to take BrightRock to new heights.
7
What does a typical day in your life look like?
Hehehehe, 'typical'– that’s a funny question! No two days are ever the same! At BrightRock, we #LoveChange, and that certainly applies to my daily schedule.
Some days, I’m in back-to-back meetings and discussions with colleagues, debating our plans and tackling projects. Other days, I’m travelling to meet with other people in the industry or partners to our business. And then there are days when I’m locked away in my home study, trying to use some “quiet time” away from the bustle to catch up on work or focusing on some of the more strategic thinking I need to do.
But beyond work, I’m also a wife and a mother to four very busy young people, so my day wouldn’t be complete without catching up with my family. Most evenings, I also love preparing a meal for my family – it’s my way of unwinding and reconnecting after a full day.
The best part of any day, though, is connecting with people – whether it’s a conversation in the office, a quick check-in on a project, or engaging with the incredible individuals who make BrightRock what it is. That’s what keeps every day meaningful and exciting!
8
What do you do to relax after a day at the office?
I’ve never been one for the idea of strict "work-life balance"– life and work are so intertwined! If I’ve had a busy day, I’ll often cook a meal for my family, and then once we’ve had dinner, I’ll log back in to catch up on emails. They (emails) really do seem to be a continuously multiplying species that never stops! There are always more of them than there are hours in the day!
That said, I love spending time with family and friends, especially on weekends. I’m a big sports fan, and one of my favourite ways to unwind is watching rugby – especially the BrightRock teams, the Bulls and the Stormers – with my family and friends.
We also have a special Sunday lunch tradition where our family gathers around the dining room table – or outside if it’s a beautiful day – to share a meal and catch up. More often than not, you’ll find me in the kitchen on Sundays, chopping ingredients for a salad!
When I’m not playing mom’s taxi for my busy teens, I also enjoy reading a book or watching a movie – a little bit of downtime before diving into another exciting day!
9
Who’s your favourite superhero and why?
I’d have to say Deadpool! He always challenges the status quo – he’s never intimidated by those who seem bigger, smarter, or more powerful than him. His grit and resilience stand out – no matter how many times he’s knocked down, he always gets back up. He’s also incredibly ingenious and, of course, has that wicked sense of humour and irreverence, even in the toughest moments. I believe it’s so important that we’re able to laugh at ourselves and find lightness, even when facing challenges.
In many ways, I see BrightRock as having a bit of a superhero spirit too – we challenge norms, stand up for our clients, and bring a fresh, bold perspective to the industry. Just like Deadpool, we’re not afraid to do things differently, push boundaries, and disrupt the status quo – all while keeping our sense of humour along the way! He is a true #LoveChange superhero as far as I’m concerned!