Xolisa is the new Head of sustainability operations and impact investing in Sanlam Group’s sustainability office and serves on the investment committee of the Sanlam Umbrella Fund (SUF). He is also the non-executive chairperson of Just Share; an organisation which advances investor activism and engagement regarding environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. He has previously served as trustee and investment committee chairperson of the UCT Retirement Fund where he led the sustainable investment efforts of the Fund.

Before Sanlam, Xolisa was academic faculty at the UCT Graduate School of Business (UCTGSB) specialising in sustainable investing.He was lead researcher for the African Investing for Impact Barometer and has co-authored a book chapter in: “Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Developing Markets” to be published in May of 2023 by UK publisher, Edward Elgar Publishing. Xolisa continues to support education in the field as a guest lecturer on the UCTGSB’s Impact Investing in Africa executive programme and the Innovative Finance in Africa elective of Oxford University’s Said EMBA. 

Before joining the UCTGSB, Xolisa was the head of Africa for the UN-Supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). He has also performed investment consulting and advisory roles at Alex Forbes, Absa Consultants & Actuaries and Independent Actuaries & Consultants.

Xolisa holds the Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) designation from the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies and the Chartered Development Finance Analyst (CDFA) designation from the Chartered Institute of Development Finance. He is also a Licentiate trustee (LT) of the Batseta Council of Retirement Funds.