Liberty Holdings Ltd is an African wealth management group based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Liberty has interests in life and health insurance, asset management and property development, with business operations in six other countries across Southern, East and West Africa.

The group’s principal operating business Liberty Life is the third largest life insurer in South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

, while 100% subsidiary STANLIB

Stanlib

STANLIB is an asset manager based in Johannesburg with a footprint in 7 African countries. The company was formed in 2002 when Liberty Life and Standard Bank’s asset management and wealth businesses merged. It is the biggest unit trust company by market share, managing capital for over 400 000...

is the second largest investment manager in South Africa, and its largest unit trust (mutual fund) company.

Liberty Holdings is 53% owned by the Standard Bank Group, the largest African bank by total assets.

African operations (outside South Africa)

Through regional hubs in Southern, East and West Africa, subsidiary Liberty Africa researches and facilitates the establishment and development of the group’s pan-African business interests outside South Africa.

Liberty employs a variety of business ownership and partnership models in Africa, and uses the African business and branch footprint of its corporate parent, Standard Bank

Standard Bank

The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited is one of South Africa's largest financial services groups. It operates in 30 countries around the world, including 17 in Africa.-History:...

/Stanbic

Stanbic Bank

Stanbic Bank is a division of Standard Bank, a member of the Standard Bank Group, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.-Overview:Standard Bank trades under the name Stanbic Bank in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and...

.

By November 2009, Liberty had established proprietary or partnership offices in Botswana

Botswana

Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...

, Kenya

Kenya

Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...

, Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

, Lesotho

Lesotho

Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...

, Namibia

Namibia

Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...

, Swaziland

Swaziland

Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...

, Tanzania

Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...

 and Uganda

Uganda

Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...

. The group is also involved in major property developments in Zambia

Zambia

Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....

 and Swaziland

Swaziland

Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...

, and is researching business cases in other countries in Africa.

Development highlights

Liberty Life Association of Africa Ltd was founded in 1957 by life insurance and property development entrepreneur Sir Donald Gordon. Liberty Life was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1962 (de-listed 2008) and Liberty Holdings in 1968. Standard Bank

Standard Bank

The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited is one of South Africa's largest financial services groups. It operates in 30 countries around the world, including 17 in Africa.-History:...

acquired control of the Liberty group in 1999.

Liberty developed a reputation for product innovation and sales productivity, through pioneering developments in South Africa such as retirement annuities (1960), regional shopping centres (1975 onwards), universal life products (1983) and fully underwritten medical insurance (1991).

Liberty grew rapidly, both organically and by acquisition of the local interests of international assurers Manufacturers’ Life of Canada (1972), Sun Life of Canada (1974), the South-African interests of UK's Prudential Assurance Company (1986); and of local assurers Charter Life (1988), Capital Alliance and Rentmeester (both 2003).

During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Liberty developed a substantial international property portfolio – notably in UK shopping centres – through TransAtlantic Holdings (subsequently renamed and now London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

-listed Liberty International

Liberty International

Liberty International plc was a British property investment company. It switched to Real Estate Investment Trust status when REITs were introduced in the United Kingdom in January 2007...

).
In 2006, Liberty announced its new long-term strategy, to expand its traditional life assurance and related business interests, with the aim of becoming Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

’s leading broad-based wealth manager.

Liberty Holdings History

2009	Corporate structure revised to facilitate the group’s wealth management growth strategy Liberty Group Ltd delisted as Liberty Holdings becomes the sole listed entry-point for investors Liberty Health adds 500,000 lives under management in its first full year of Africa Africa Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area... n operations Liberty establishes presence in Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
2008	Liberty sets up new business operations in six Africa Africa Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area... n countries Liberty Health expands and re-structures as a hi-tech multi-revenue business Multi-billion rand renovation announced for regional shopping centre Sandton City Sandton City Sandton City is a shopping centre located in Sandton, Johannesburg that was built as pioneer centre in 1973.-Redevelopment:Liberty Properties announced in 2008 that Sandton City would receive a R1.77 billion upgrade...
2007	100% acquisition of STANLIB Stanlib STANLIB is an asset manager based in Johannesburg with a footprint in 7 African countries. The company was formed in 2002 when Liberty Life and Standard Bank’s asset management and wealth businesses merged. It is the biggest unit trust company by market share, managing capital for over 400 000...  completed
2006	Liberty Life board approves a plan to purchase the outstanding shares of STANLIB Stanlib STANLIB is an asset manager based in Johannesburg with a footprint in 7 African countries. The company was formed in 2002 when Liberty Life and Standard Bank’s asset management and wealth businesses merged. It is the biggest unit trust company by market share, managing capital for over 400 000... Liberty Life completes the sales of offshore entities Ermitage (Jersey Jersey Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and... ) and Prefsure (Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... ) Liberty Life maintains its JSE SRI listing
2005	R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 2 billion corporate bond issue Capital Alliance Life is integrated into Liberty Life Liberty Life maintains JSE SRI listing
2004	Ten percent of Liberty Life’s South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... n operations are sold to BEE entities Liberty Life announces an offer to purchase Capital Alliance Holdings Limited Liberty Life is listed on the JSE’s SRI Index
2003	Liberty Life and Standard Bank sell 12,6% each of STANLIB Stanlib STANLIB is an asset manager based in Johannesburg with a footprint in 7 African countries. The company was formed in 2002 when Liberty Life and Standard Bank’s asset management and wealth businesses merged. It is the biggest unit trust company by market share, managing capital for over 400 000... to BEE consortium Liberty Corporate Benefits purchases portions of Investec Employee Benefits
2002	STANLIB Stanlib STANLIB is an asset manager based in Johannesburg with a footprint in 7 African countries. The company was formed in 2002 when Liberty Life and Standard Bank’s asset management and wealth businesses merged. It is the biggest unit trust company by market share, managing capital for over 400 000...  is established as a joint venture with Standard Bank
2001	Liberty Group, Simeka Investment Holdings and Genesis Capital announced an innovative, credible entry into the empowerment arena with the formation of a new financial services company – Simeka Financial Services (Pty) Limited
2000	A multi-manager asset management company formed through a joint venture between Liberty Group, Standard Bank Investment Corporation and Investment Solutions Liberty Group reached agreement with Liberty International PLC to acquire 100% of the Liberty Ermitage Group
1999	Retirement of founder, chairman Donald Gordon Control of Liberty Life changes to Standard Bank of South Africa Standard Bank of South Africa The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited is one of South Africa's largest financial services groups. It operates in 30 countries around the world, including 17 in Africa.-History:...
1998	Unbundling of Libsil Unbundling of First International Trust Distribution of direct holding in Liberty International - capital reduction by dividend in specie
1997	Total assets exceed R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 100 billion and earnings attributable to shareholders reach a record R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 3,08 billion
1996	Liberty International sets up offshore life business in Jersey, Channel Islands Channel Islands The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
1995	Blueprint, the first computer-based financial needs analysis in the industry is introduced by Liberty Life
1994	Liberty Life issues more than $320 million in ten-year redeemable convertible bonds Capital Shopping Centres lists on the London Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
1993	Liblife Strategic Investments is established
1992	Liberty is ranked as the fifth largest company in South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... in terms of market capitalisation on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
1991	The Liberty Foundation is established Liberty increases its interest in Standard Bank Investment Corporation to approximately 39%
1990	Thurrock Lakeside Shopping Centre in the UK is opened
1988	First Union General Investment Trust is restructured to become First International Trust, the listed holding company for the Liberty Life Group’s offshore interests
1987	The South-African branch of UK's Prudential Assurance Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Life Liberty increases its interest in Standard Bank Investment Corporation to over 30% (Liberty becomes the largest shareholder in South Africa’s leading bank) Total assets exceed R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 11 billion
1986	The VIP Lifestyle Annuity policy, designed to apply the flexible “Universal” concept to retirement planning is launched in South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
1985	Liberty Life increases its stake in Standard Bank to over 21%
1983	Liberty in association with Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company and Anglo American Corporation acquires joint control of the Premier Group which in turn acquires a 35% interest in South African Breweries Standard Bank increases its interest in Liblife Controlling Corporation to 50%, representing joint control of Liberty Life
1982	Liberty Life Centre (new corporate headquarters) is opened in Braamfontein, Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... Assets exceed R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 2 billion
1981	Liberty Life is listed on the London Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement... Liberty Life acquires 29,6% interest in Capital & Counties Capital & Counties Properties Capital & Counties Properties plc is a United Kingdom-based property investment and development company which is focused on sites in the West and West End of London...  (major UK retail property developer)
1980	Liberty International is established in London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
1978	Liblife Controlling Corporation is formed with Standard Bank Standard Bank The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited is one of South Africa's largest financial services groups. It operates in 30 countries around the world, including 17 in Africa.-History:...
1977	Liberty Life gains control of First Union General Investment Trust
1976	Liberty Life acquires entire issued share capital of Rapp & Maister Holdings (annual income exceeds R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 100 million)
1974	Liberty Life acquires South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... n life insurance operations of Sun Life
1972	Liberty Life acquires South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... n life insurance operations of Manufacturers Life (increasing the asset base to over R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 100 million)
1970	Guardbank is formed in conjunction with First National Bank
1968	Liberty Holdings is formed to consolidate the South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... n interests of Guardian Royal Exchange (GRE) by acquiring Guardian Assurance Company of South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...  and 75% of Liberty Life
1964	Premium income exceeds R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 1 million
1962	Assets Exceed R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 1 million Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Listing Leading role in forming Abbey Life in the UK
1957	Liberty Life is registered (R South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... 84,000 capital)