Conflict of Interest Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
The Board recognises its obligation to oversee that appropriate controls and procedures are implemented within
Discovery Group. These controls and procedures will assist the Discovery Group in meeting regulatory requirements
both in South Africa and internationally.
1.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for the prevention of conflicts of interest as far as reasonably
possible. Where conflicts are unavoidable, the policy provides guidelines on how to deal with the conflicts in an ethical
and responsible manner and mitigate potential risks.
1.2 SCOPE
Part A of this policy applies to Discovery and its South African and international subsidiaries. This includes:
All executive and non-executive directors
Senior managers
Full-time, part-time or temporary employees
Independent contractors or consultants, and
Legal entities controlled by, benefitting from or acting on the instruction of any of the persons listed above.
Both Part A and Part B apply to all South African domiciled subsidiaries registered as financial services providers under
the Financial Services and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (“FAIS Act”), including all representatives and key individuals..
Each entity within the Group must have processes and procedures in place to align its operations with the spirit and
purpose of Part A. An entity within the Group may elect to place reliance on the processes and procedures of another
subsidiary or to outsource its responsibilities to a third party. Such reliance must be documented in a written
arrangement and any outsourcing must comply with the Group Outsourcing Policy. Despite placing reliance on another
subsidiary or outsourcing of any responsibilities, accountability for compliance with this policy remains that of the
relevant entity within the Group.
An entity within the Group may elect to have its own Conflict of Interest Policy in respect of financial crime risk
management considering its nature, scale and complexity, and the legislation under which it operates.
Such a policy must be consistent with this policy, specifically Part A, and the Board of Discovery Limited must approve
any deviation from this policy unless the deviation is necessary to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory
requirements, in which case the approval is automatically granted, if the board of directors of a subsidiary has
communicated the need for such a deviation to the Discovery Board.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
1.3 IMPLEMENTATION
Where an international subsidiary of Discovery does not have an Ethics Office, the duties and responsibilities of the
Ethics Office, as described above, must be performed by that subsidiary’s Compliance function.
Compliance Function
Group Compliance is responsible for managing Part B of the conflicts of interest policy in respect of Discovery’s South
African domiciled subsidiaries registered as financial services providers under the FAIS Act.
PART A
Actual conflict arises in situations where financial considerations or other personal or professional considerations
compromise an individual’s objectivity, judgment, integrity, and/or ability to fulfil his or her responsibilities to Discovery
and his or her actions could lead to compromising Discovery in any way.
Apparent (or perceived) conflicts are situations or relationships that could reasonably appear to other parties to involve
a conflict of interest. Apparent conflicts exist in situations where a person has financial interests, personal relationships
or associations with an external entity, individual or organisation, such that the person’s activities within Discovery could
appear to be biased. This applies to the following people:
A person described in paragraph 1.2
Any family member of a person referred to in paragraph 1.2 above
A close personal relation.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
Any reference to a conflict of interest in this policy includes an apparent or potential conflict of interest.
A. EMPLOYEES
Employees must avoid conflicts of interest where they have an interest in or stand to benefit from any transaction to
which Discovery is also a party. This applies whether the employee has an interest or stands to benefit:
Individually
In association with their family members
In association with business partners
In relation to external or internal business interests.
Employees must disclose any business interests that may be in conflict with the business of Discovery. Non-disclosure
of a conflict of interest may result in disciplinary action against the employee.
All employees must report a perceived or actual conflict of interest to their direct line manager or any senior manager
in their business unit. If an employee cannot report the conflict to his or her line manager or a senior manager in their
business unit, the employee may report the conflict to the Ethics Office.
All instances of non-compliance must be reported in line with the applicable whistleblowing policy and process. This
process outlines that there are three avenues available to Discovery employees to report a concern:
1. Reporting to your direct manager
2. Reporting directly to a responsible department
3. Reporting anonymously via the independent Whistle Blowing Hotline or the EthicsDefender application.
Reference must be made to the Whistleblowing Policy for further detail on ways to report non-compliance.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
At the beginning of each governing body or committee meeting, all members have to declare whether any of them has
any conflict of interest in respect of a matter on the agenda. Subject to legal provisions, any such conflicts should be
managed proactively, as determined by the governing body.
If a director of a company has a personal financial interest in a matter to be considered at a board meeting, or knows
that a related person has a personal financial interest in the matter, the director must, among other things, disclose the
interest and its general nature to the board before the matter is considered at the meeting. If the director is present at
the meeting, he or she must then leave the meeting immediately after making the required disclosures. The director
may not vote on the matter in question.
Where the chairperson of a board or board committee may have a conflict of interest or a perceived conflict of interest
that may impact on that chairperson’s independent decision making, a lead independent director must be appointed
by the remainder of the board or board committee to chair that specific meeting.
Directors must be particularly careful to avoid representing Discovery Limited or a subsidiary of Discovery in any
transaction with any party with whom there is any outside business affiliation or relationship. They must also avoid
using their Discovery contacts to advance their private business or personal interests at the expense of Discovery, its
clients or affiliates.
D. CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Control functions should operate without conflicts of interest; where a conflict arises, it must be brought to the
attention of the Board for resolution.
The Group Governance Framework provides a process for the resolution of any potential intra-Group conflicts of
interest.
Receiving gifts or invitations to events is often an important part of maintaining and developing business relationships.
In order to maintain sound working and business relationships with all trading partners, the Board has adopted the
principles detailed below.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
Cash or cash Cash, cheques, coupons, bank deposits, No employee is permitted to accept any cash or
equivalents stock, loans items of a redeemable value, cash equivalents from a trading partner.
gift certificate or any similar item.
Gifts Branded promotional items, such as No approval is required, and these gifts do not
branded pens, calendars and memory have to be recorded in the relevant Gifts and
sticks, received from time to time. Entertainment Register.
Non-branded promotional items with an No approval is required, and these gifts do not
estimated value of less than R500 (or the have to be recorded in the relevant Gifts and
equivalent of this amount in the Entertainment Register.
applicable jurisdiction).
If more than one gift is received from the same
trade partner in a three-month period, all gifts
received from that trade partner must be recorded
in the relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register.
This is irrespective of the value of the gifts.
Non-branded promotional items with an Approval is required from the responsible line
estimated value of more than R500 but manager, and the gift must be recorded in the
less than R1 000 (or the equivalent of relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register.
these amounts in the applicable
jurisdiction). If more than one gift is received from the same
trade partner in a three-month period, all gifts
received from that trade partner must be recorded
in the relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register.
This is irrespective of the value of the gifts.
Business gifts Valuable items, offered without Approval is required from the responsible
obligation, as an expression of executive and the gift must be recorded in the
appreciation or goodwill. relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
Events and Invitation to a hosted event, including Approval is required from the responsible
hospitality travel arrangements, with an estimated executive and the event and hospitality details
value of more than R500. must be recorded in the relevant Gifts and
Entertainment Register.
Travel and Paid for or partly paid for trips by trading Any travel by an employee, at the invitation of a
accommodation partners for product updates and / or trading partner will only be allowed if the travel
training. costs is paid for by Discovery, unless the invitation
is to a hosted event and part of the invitation
include travel arrangements.
Gifts and invitations have to be disclosed in the relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register, even in cases where the gifts
and entertainment were offered but not accepted from trade partners.
Where a decision was made regarding the acceptance of a gift or entertainment, the nature of the decision must be
communicated to the trade partner in writing as soon as possible. This applies regardless of whether the decision was
made to decline or accept the gift or entertainment. This is important for the preservation of Discovery’s corporate
integrity and ethical standards.
The giving of gifts, or invitations to events, is often an important part of maintaining and developing business
relationships. In order to maintain sound working and business relationships with all trading partners, the Board has
adopted the principles detailed below.
All gifts should be for a genuine purpose, free of undue influence and given in the ordinary course of business. The
persons described in paragraph 1.2 of the Introduction are prohibited from providing any gifts to a trading partner other
than in accordance with the guidelines below:
Cash or cash Cash, cheques, coupons, bank deposits, No employee is permitted to give any cash or cash
equivalents stock, loans items of a redeemable value, equivalents to a trading partner.
gift certificate or any similar item.
Gifts Branded promotional items, such as May only be provided if approved by the executive
branded pens, calendars and memory responsible for the business unit prior to ordering
sticks, received from time to time. the items. Approval is also required from the cost
centre manager. Relevant details of these gifts
must be recorded in the relevant Gifts and
Entertainment Register.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
Non-branded promotional items of any Approval is required from the relevant executive
value. responsible for the business unit and the cost
centre manager.
Relevant details of these gifts must be recorded in
the relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register.
Business gifts Valuable items, offered without Approval is required from the responsible
obligation, as an expression of executive and the gift must be recorded in the
appreciation or goodwill. relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register.
Events and Invitation to a hosted event, including Approval is required from the responsible
hospitality travel arrangements. executive and the event and hospitality details
must be recorded in the relevant Gifts and
Entertainment Register.
Travel and Paid for or partly paid for trips to trading Approval is required from the responsible
accommodation partners for product updates and / or executive and the gift must be recorded in the
training. relevant Gifts and Entertainment Register.
C. INSIDER TRADING
All persons described in paragraph 1.2 of the Introduction are able to acquire knowledge regarding the results of the
company before the results are published. The Companies Act (71 of 2008) and the Financial Markets Act (19 of 2012)
state that any person who trades directly or indirectly in a security based on unpublished price-sensitive information
can, in certain circumstances, be guilty of an offence. The Share Trading & Price Sensitive Policy sets out the rules and
guidelines for any transaction involving Discovery Limited securities. It also provides a framework to manage securities
transactions that may be seen as insider trading.
D. RECRUITMENT
Discovery does not approve of nepotism and understands that all applicants have the right to apply for vacant positions.
Therefore, where family members, friends or business associates of a person referred to in paragraph 1.2 of the
Introduction apply for vacant positions, the guidelines contained in HR policies and processes must be followed.
E. MOONLIGHTING
Moonlighting refers the situation where someone holds a second job while in the service of their employer. All persons
described in paragraph 1.2 of the Introduction who engage in moonlighting activities must ensure that they do not get
involved in any activity that could lead to a potential conflict of interest.
To avoid potential conflicts of interest, employees must follow the procedures outlined in the HR policies and processes.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
The persons described in paragraph 1.2 who are involved in procuring goods and services on behalf of Discovery may
not directly or indirectly accept any reward from any person. This applies whether the reward is for themselves or for
any other person. The persons may also not provide, offer or make available any gift or invitation to an event that will,
or can be perceived to:
Influence the recipient’s judgement on a specific matter
Cause the recipient to favour one client, supplier or trading partner over another
Expect the recipient to take certain actions or expect the recipient not to take any action
Influence the recipient to conduct himself or herself in a certain manner.
When on-boarding suppliers through procurement procedures, all procurement departments must avoid any conflicts
of interest between Discovery, the interest of its stakeholders and the business of the person performing the outsourced
activity. If this is not possible, procurement departments must mitigate these conflicts of interest.
It is the responsibility of the direct managers of procurement staff to collect annual declarations from their staff
members confirming that no reward was or will be collected from any person as discussed above.
Disciplinary steps will be taken against any person who accepts any reward that is subject to the above, whether for
himself or herself, or on behalf of any other person.
If any person knows about or suspects a contravention of this section, he or she must report it to the Ethics Office.
The Ethics Office (or where no Ethics Office is established, the Compliance function) must monitor compliance with this
Part. Any breach or perceived breach of or non-compliance with this policy must be communicated to the relevant
executive as soon as possible. The relevant executive, with input from key stakeholders, will consider the appropriate
action required. If the executive and stakeholders cannot reach an agreement on the appropriate action, the matter
must be escalated to the Ethics Office. The Ethics Office will decide whether the breach or non-compliance is sufficiently
material to be escalated further, and if so, where it should be escalated to.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
1. Introduction
1.1 PURPOSE
Financial services providers (FSPs) authorised under the FAIS Act must take all necessary steps to eliminate any practices
and services that may create a conflict of interest between their interests and the interests of an existing or potential
client. The General Code of Conduct for Authorised Financial Services Providers and Representatives under the FAIS Act
(GCOC), details the regulatory requirements for conflicts of interest.
The GCOC requires all FSPs to disclose to their clients the existence of actual and potential conflicts of interest.
The purpose of this Part of the Policy is to address conflict situations that may arise between Discovery, its registered
representatives, other independent FSPs and Discovery clients.
This Part establishes a framework within which actual or perceived conflicts of interest must be identified, reported and
addressed. It also determines the appropriate steps required to manage or mitigate the risk associated with such
conflicts.
1.2 SCOPE
Part B of the policy applies to the following FSPs, and their registered representatives, within the Discovery Group:
Discovery Life Limited
Discovery Health (Pty) Limited
Discovery Life Investment Services (Pty) Limited
Discovery Insure Limited, and
Discovery Bank Limited.
Throughout this Part, any reference to a Discovery FSP will mean any of the entities referred to above, whether
individually or collectively.
2. General principles
In relation to the rendering of a financial service to a client, a conflict of interest is any situation in which a FSP or a
representative has an actual or potential interest that may:
1. Influence the objective performance of the FSP or representative’s obligations to that client
2. Prevent a FSP or representative from rendering an unbiased and fair financial service to that client
3. Prevent a FSP or representative from acting in the interests of that client.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
A Discovery FSP must ensure that immaterial financial interests received by any tied representative are declared on the
respective Discovery FSP’s conflict of interest register.
A Discovery tied representative refers to a representative of a Discovery FSP, where the Discovery FSP and the product
supplier are the same legal entity2. A tied representative will include a person that is employed or mandated by a
Discovery FSP to render financial services to that FSP’s Discovery Group clients.
A Discovery FSP may not offer any financial interest to a representative of that FSP:
Where the interest is determined with reference to the quantity of business without also giving due regard to the
delivery of fair outcomes for clients. Discovery must demonstrate that the determination of and entitlement to the
financial interest considers measurable indicators relating to the:
o Achievement of minimum service level standards in respect of clients
o Delivery of fair outcomes for clients
o Quality of the representative’s compliance with this Act.
The above measurable indicators must be agreed upon between the Discovery FSP and the representative.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
An intermediary refers to a representative of a Discovery FSP where the Discovery FSP is not also the product supplier3,
or a representative of an independent FSP.
A Discovery FSP and intermediaries may only offer and receive specific financial interests from a third party, which
includes the following:
1. Commission authorised under the Long-term Insurance Act (52 of 1998), the Short-term Insurance Act (53 of 1998)
and the Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998)
2. Fees authorised under the Long-term Insurance Act (52 of 1998), the Short-term Insurance Act (53 of 1998) and the
Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998)
3. “Other fees” to which the amount, frequency, payment method, recipient of those fees and details of services to
be provided are specifically agreed to in writing by the client and may be stopped by the client at their discretion.
4. Fees or remuneration for services rendered to a third party
5. An immaterial interest
6. Any other financial interest not mentioned above.
The fees referred to in points 3, 4, 5 and 6 above may only be paid if:
The financial interests are reasonably commensurate (proportionate) to the service being rendered, considering
the nature of the service and the resources, skills and competencies reasonably required to perform it
The payment of the financial interests does not result in the FSP or intermediary being remunerated more than
once for performing a similar service
Any actual or potential conflicts between the interests of clients and the interests of the person receiving the
financial interests are effectively mitigated
The payment of those financial interests does not impede the delivery of fair outcomes to clients.
3 Discovery Insure FSP will be limited to this section when proving financial interest to representatives of Discovery Life FSP license.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
All representative must ensure that as far as possible, any conflict of interest is avoided. Where a conflict of interest
cannot be avoided:
Steps must be taken to mitigate the conflict of interest
The conflict of interest must be disclosed on the respective FSP’s conflict of interest register together with the
reason as to why the conflict could not have been avoided.
B. MANDATORY DISCLOSURE
A conflict of interest in respect of a client must be disclosed to that client in writing at the earliest possible
opportunity. This disclosure must include the following:
o The conflict of interest in respect of the client
o What has been done to avoid or mitigate the conflict
o Any ownership or financial interest (other than an immaterial financial interest) that Discovery or a
representative of Discovery may be eligible for or become eligible for
o Details about any relationship with a third party that gives rise to conflict of interest. The details must be
sufficient to enable the client to understand the exact nature of the relationship or arrangement and the
extent of the conflict of interest.
The client must be informed on the Conflict of Interest Policy and where they may access the policy.
All representatives (existing and new) and key individuals must be made aware of the Conflict of Interest Policy and the
contents thereof. Representatives and key individuals must receive the necessary training on the policy and the policy
must be accessible to all representatives and key individuals.
Key individuals and line managers must ensure that they read and understand this policy, the processes and procedures
outlined in this policy, and any other documents the policy refers to.
Group Compliance will assist in facilitating conflict of interest training as and where required.
A Discovery FSP must implement and maintain a conflict of interest register and a process for disclosure of a conflict by
representatives.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
Group Compliance will monitor all disclosures logged on the Discovery conflict of interest registers and will report
annually on conflict of interest, as required by the FAIS Act.
Necessary actions will be taken at management discretion as and when any non-compliance is identified. All instances
of non-compliance with this framework will be included in the regular compliance reporting processes.
Group Compliance will monitor procedures and controls to properly identify and manage potential conflicts of interest,
as far as it relates to a conflict as defined by the FAIS Act.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
Director means a member of the board of a company within the Discovery Group or an alternate director. This includes
any person occupying the position of a director or alternate director, even if such a position is called something else.
Conflict of Interest
Means any situation in which a provider or a representative has an actual or potential interest that may, in rendering a
financial service to a client:
a) influence the objective performance of his, her or its obligations to that client; or
b) prevent a provider or representative from rendering an unbiased and fair financial service to that client, or from
acting in the interests of that client, including, but not limited to–
i. a financial interest;
ii. an ownership interest;
iii. any relationship with a third party;
Distribution Channel
Means:
a) any arrangement between a product supplier or any of its associates and one or more providers or any of its
associates in terms of which arrangement any support or service is provided to the provider or providers in
rendering a financial service to a client;
b) any arrangement between two or more providers or any of their associates, which arrangement facilitates, supports
or enhances a relationship between the provider or providers and a product supplier;
c) any arrangement between two or more product suppliers or any of their associates, which arrangement facilitates,
supports or enhances a relationship between a provider or providers and a product supplier;
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.
FSC
Means the Financial Sector Code published in terms of section (1) of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment
Act (Act 53 of 2003), as amended from time to time.
Measured Entity
Has the meaning assigned to it in the FSC insofar it relates to a qualifying enterprise development contribution.
Ownership Interest
Means:
a) any equity or proprietary interest, for which fair value was paid by the owner at the time of acquisition, other than
equity or a proprietary interest held as an approved nominee on behalf of another person; and
b) includes any dividend, profit share or similar benefit derived from that equity or ownership interest;
Provider
Means an authorised financial services provider, and includes a representative.
Third Party
Means:
a) a product supplier;
b) another provider;
c) an associate of a product supplier or a provider;
d) a distribution channel;
e) any person who in terms of an agreement or arrangement with a person referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) above
provides a financial interest to a provider or its representatives.
Discovery Ltd is the licensed controlling company of the designated Discovery Insurance Group. Registration number: 1999/007789/06. Companies in the Group are licensed insurers and
authorised financial services providers.