It’s not every day you hear about a 50-year-old bank still thinking like a scrappy startup! In this episode, Abey Mokgwatsane, CMO of Investec, reveals how an “out-of-the-ordinary” service ethos and consistent brand storytelling keep them at the forefront of private banking. Abey also shares his principle of “making the complex simple and the simple exciting”—a mindset fueling Investec’s growth and inspiring a fresh perspective in financial services. Whether you’re curious about adopting a challenger strategy or simply interested in how a long-standing institution stays agile, this conversation is a must-listen.
We’re back with Scratch! In this episode, we sit down with Abey Mokgwatsane, Chief Marketing Officer of Investec, an international bank and wealth manager that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary—and still thinking like a challenger. Abey shares how his team keeps the brand fresh by simplifying complexity, focusing on consistent storytelling, and staying true to the heritage that first propelled Investec into the private banking space. He also explains what it’s like to join a new industry as a “super sub” and how that outsider perspective drives authentic innovation.
One of the big takeaways from this episode is Abey’s focus on “making the complex simple and the simple exciting.” Whether it’s building a brand around the iconic zebra or doubling down on Investec’s legendary service culture, Abey’s mindset proves that consistency doesn’t have to mean boring. We also dive into what it means to remain “freshly consistent” instead of “consistently fresh,” a concept that’s helped Investec maintain its challenger DNA over five decades of growth.
Watch the video version of this podcast on Youtube ▶️: https://youtu.be/EGXZiOWQbsA
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Scratch is a production of Rival, a marketing innovation consultancy that develops strategies and capabilities to help businesses grow faster. Scratch is hosted by Eric Fulwiler, and in this episode he’s joined by Abey Mokgwatsane, CMO of Investec.
Find Rival online at www.wearerival.com, LinkedIn, Twitter.
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Find Abey on LinkedIn.
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