24 Jun 2026
Investec rolls out Microsoft Copilot to all 8,000 colleagues globally
Advancing its vision of a higher tech, higher touch future
The first full-workforce Microsoft Copilot deployment publicly announced by an organisation in South Africa
Investec today announced the rollout of Microsoft Copilot to all 8,000 colleagues across the Group, becoming the first organisation in South Africa to publicly announce a full-workforce deployment of Microsoft Copilot.
Spanning Investec's operations across South Africa, the United Kingdom and other international markets, the deployment marks a significant milestone in the Group's AI strategy and reinforces its commitment to using technology to enhance human expertise, judgement and relationships.
The rollout builds on substantial progress already made across the organisation. More than 800 AI agents are actively in use across the Group, helping teams automate repetitive tasks, accelerate knowledge work and improve speed, quality and consistency. Collectively, these solutions are already freeing up more than 350,000 hours of colleague time annually, creating meaningful capacity that is being reinvested into client service, advisory work, innovation and growth.
Lyndon Subroyen, Global Head of Digital and Technology at Investec, said:
"Our AI strategy is built on a simple thesis: higher tech leads to higher touch. At Investec, we've long been known for our high tech, high touch approach to client service. AI is an amplifier of our people and their judgement – not a substitute for either. By taking on routine analysis, drafting, reconciliation and administrative tasks, AI enables our teams to spend more time with clients, sharpen decision-making and focus on the nuance that creates value. AI is the amplifier; the relationship stays human.
We are investing in AI to help our people be even more effective. The opportunity is not simply to do things faster; it is to create more capacity for the work only people can do – building trust, exercising judgement, solving complex problems and delivering exceptional client experiences. Investec will remain human-led."
Investec's AI strategy extends beyond technology deployment to organisation-wide capability building. Alongside the rollout of AI tools, the Group is investing in programmes designed to equip colleagues with the skills, confidence and practical experience required to use AI effectively and responsibly. By embedding learning and adoption at the heart of its approach, Investec is helping its people build the capabilities needed to thrive in an AI-enabled future and deliver greater value to clients.
Investec is also advancing the next frontier of AI through agentic systems capable of executing tasks end-to-end under clear human oversight. AI is increasingly embedded across the full client lifecycle – from origination and onboarding through to servicing and operations. These solutions help teams move faster while maintaining appropriate controls, accountability and human judgement. Supported by a comprehensive AI Governance Framework, Investec is able to scale AI adoption confidently and responsibly.
Microsoft is Investec's strategic technology partner for enterprise AI, providing the secure and scalable foundation that supports the Group's AI ambitions.
Ravi Bhat, Commercial Solutions and AI Officer at Microsoft South Africa, said:
"Investec's announcement marks an important milestone for AI adoption in South Africa. As the first South African organisation to publicly announce a full-workforce deployment of Microsoft Copilot, Investec is demonstrating what is possible when AI is approached as a business transformation opportunity rather than simply a technology implementation.
The maturity of Investec's approach has established a strong foundation for scaling AI responsibly. By aligning AI initiatives to clear business outcomes and embedding them across day-to-day workflows, Investec is showing how organisations can turn the promise of AI into meaningful impact for their people, clients and business.”