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1 year ago

Blue Chip Issue 86

  • Text
  • Cfp
  • Fpi
  • Dfm
  • Financial planning
  • Wealth management
  • Stock markets
  • Fund managers
  • Advisers
  • Planning
  • Financial
  • Economic
  • Profession
  • Asset
  • Investors
  • Momentum
  • Advisors
  • Investing
  • Investments
  • Global
  • Wealth
Blue Chip Journal is a quarterly journal for the financial planning industry and is the official publication of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa NPC (FPI), effective from the January 2020 edition. Blue Chip publishes contributions from FPI and other leading industry figures, covering all aspects of the financial planning industry. Visit Blue Chip Digital: https://bluechipdigital.co.za/

BLUE CHIP FPI |

BLUE CHIP FPI | Financial Planner of the Year African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) registered designations it offers. They are also focused on encouraging more experienced members to reinstate their membership. My efforts therefore will be in support of these objectives through mentoring and other activities so that the next generation see financial planning as a profession of choice. We also need to place emphasis on the challenges that cause more experienced planners to leave the profession which among others is an environment that doesn’t adequately support entrepreneurship in the sector. You feel strongly about making financial planning more accessible to a broader spectrum of the community. Please share your thoughts on this. How should the profession go about doing this? Financial inclusion, consumer protection and financial education are some of the imperatives that the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and National Treasury are tasked with, which they address through initiatives such as Money Smart Week SA’s annual campaigns. Furthermore, the Financial Sector Codes and current retirement fund legislation also place responsibility on those 22 www.bluechipdigital.co.za

FPI | Financial Planner of the Year BLUE CHIP industry players to educate and empower the markets they serve so that consumers can make more informed financial decisions for themselves. Being in the advisory space, we know that there is a gap between consumers understanding the theoretical aspects of finances and implementing the knowledge in a manner that best serves them. This gap can be neatly bridged by incorporating an advice process and will ultimately improve consumer outcomes. I believe our profession is well positioned to support such initiatives in a manner that ensures that all interests are appropriately aligned. More than anything, it has given our practice the confidence to continue on our growth journey with the assurance that our value proposition and approach to financial planning is sound. As a profession, I think we need to take pride in the strides we have made in the industry over the years. Please speak to us about the importance of representation in the financial planning profession, particularly that of females and those of colour. The importance of diversity and inclusion for the sustainability of any industry is well established. Companies thrive when they embrace different races, cultures and backgrounds because this better positions them to respond to the needs of their clients. Ethically and morally, it is simply the right thing to do. Finances are a very personal matter and inclusion of female professionals in the room can help the financial services industrydevelop products and solutions that truly speak to the needs of this growing segment in a manner they want to be addressed. This award makes the journey so far entirely worth it. How should the profession improve clients’ experience of financial planning and ultimately their financial planning outcomes? I believe we do well if we consistently try to improve our clients’ experience and remove the proverbial “rubs” when it comes to managing wealth. Our profession remains fragmented, resulting in clients typically having to consult a number of professionals in order to address all aspects of their financial and risk management. To address this, we need to collaborate with other professionals in aspects we are not licensed to give advice or if another skill set is required. I like to use the example of a conductor in an orchestra. We increase our value in the client’s life if we view ourselves as a conductor in managing wealth and demonstrate to them how all these aspects from financial, legal, risk and tax come together in harmony to solve their most pressing issues. Please share a message of motivation for those that have considered competing for the FPI Financial Planner of the Year Award. I certainly encourage you to enter the competition because if anything it gives you the opportunity to revisit your financial planning process and assess it against the benchmark set by FPI. We have incorporated those learnings in our processes, reporting and documentation and can attest to how this has further elevated the standard of our work. PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND 2019 – Present: Director and Wealth Manager | Wealth Creed 2015-2018: Wealth Manager | Absa Wealth 2005-2014: Advisory Partner | Citadel 2004-2005: Graduate Financial Planner | Absa PFS ACADEMIC HISTORY 2022: Advanced Diploma in Trust and Estate Administration [University of the Free State] 2007: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® [FPI] 2007: Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning [University of the Free State] 2003: BCom (Investment Management) [University of Johannesburg] www.bluechipdigital.co.za 23

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