Lara Warburton, CFP®

2023 Winner

I started my financial services career in 1993, working for Investec and then RMB Unit Trusts and RMB International. I have been an independent financial planner since 2003, and I am currently the Managing Director of Integral Wealth Management, an independent financial planning practice I started with some colleagues in 2016.

I have a B. Comm Honours Degree, a Higher Diploma in Tax Law and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, which is an essential in our industry.

I am passionate about the value of independent financial advice and the importance of professionalism in the industry. I have been a member of various FPI Committees over the past 13 years and believe its important for us to get involved in order to shape the environment in which we operate. I also believe in the importance of mentorship and upskilling young advisors in the hope that all communities in South Africa can benefit from sound financial planning.

I am also the mother of two wonderful children who are now in their 20’s and launching their own successful careers. I enjoy cooking for friends and family, jogging and reading.

Palesa Dube, CFP®

2022 Winner

Palesa achieved a significant career milestone when she was awarded The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa’s Financial Planner of the Year Award for 2022, a prestigious recognition of her unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise in the financial planning sector.

With a remarkable 19-year journey in the finance industry, she is a seasoned CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® dedicated to helping individuals achieve their financial goals and create a lasting legacy. Her extensive background includes invaluable experience at renowned institutions such as Citadel and Absa Wealth, where she advised a diverse clientele ranging from professionals, retirees, high net worth individuals and corporate clients.

Palesa’s areas of expertise encompass investment and retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, risk management, employee benefits and business succession planning. With a genuine belief that comprehensive financial planning should be accessible to all, she is committed to making wealth management a mainstream practice that benefits society at large.

Palesa’s academic prowess is reflected in her qualifications, including a BCom degree in Investment Management from the University of Johannesburg, a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and an Advanced Diploma in Estate and Trust Administration from the University of the Free State. She is a dedicated member of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa , actively contributing to its Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee.

Having taken the entrepreneurial leap five years ago, she now stands on a solid foundation of achievements as she enters a new phase in her career, founding Centillion Wealth Advisory. She remains committed to her passion for empowering her community, clients and their loved ones. Her steadfast commitment assures a promising and impactful future within the financial industry.

Ryan McCaughey, CFP®

2021 Winner

Ryan grew up in the Eastern Cape and matriculated from St Andrews College. He went on to study a B.com degree at Stellenbosch University. His passion for Investments led Ryan to obtain his B.com Honours degree in Financial Analysis from the Stellenbosch University.

Ryan has built up extensive experience in the investment industry over the last 12 years working as an investment portfolio analyst, equity analyst, and portfolio manager with listed and independent asset managers. His passion for working with people and in financial markets has culminated in him pursuing a career in financial planning. In 2017, Ryan joined Hewett Wealth (Pty) Ltd as a financial advisor, establishing the Western Cape branch in Cape Town.

He is a member of the Financial Planning Institute and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He is also a winner of the 2021 FPI Financial Planner of the Year Award.

Ryan resides in Cape Town with his wife Ashleigh and twins Noah & Saige.

Hester Debora Van Der Merwe, CFP®

2020 Winner

Hester van der Merwe is the Head of Financial Planning at Ultima Financial Planners, where she has served with distinction for over 10 years. She holds a BLC and LLB from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning Law from the University of the Free State.

With a strong financial planning background, Hester brings a well-rounded and insightful approach to helping clients navigate complex financial decisions. Her dedication to putting clients first was nationally recognised when she was named Financial Planner of the Year 2020 by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI).

Hester continues to lead with integrity, professionalism, and a passion for empowering clients to achieve financial clarity and long-term success.

Hardi Swart, CFP®

2019 Winner

Hardi Swart, Managing Director of Family Wealth Custodians, a highly respected Family Wealth and Financial Planning company located at Val de Vie Estate, Paarl in the Western Cape. Hardi’s dedication to his clients and outstanding work in the industry has not gone unnoticed, as he was awarded the prestigious South-African Financial Planner of the Year Award by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern-Africa in 2019. With over a decade of experience in helping clients reach their financial goals. Hardi holds a Masters Degree in financial planning from Kaplan Professional Australia, and he is a Certified Financial Planning Professional.

But above all, Hardi is a devoted husband and father, a positive influencer, entrepreneur, big dreamer, impact investor, philanthropist, and family wealth planner. His passion for helping families achieve financial security is unmatched, and he takes pride in building lasting relationships with his clients.

Hardi is also a highly sought-after speaker, captivating audiences with his fresh, thought-provoking talks. He has delivered talks on a variety of topics, including raising money-savvy kids, financial planning basics to kick start your career, and the value of proper advice, to name a few. He has been invited to speak at prestigious events such as CTICC Baba Indaba, Stellenbosch University, ENS Cape Town, and Leaderex.

In addition, Hardi is frequently quoted in the financial media and regularly writes about financial planning and investments in various publications, demonstrating his vast knowledge and expertise.

To learn more about Hardi and his exceptional work, please visit his website at www.familywealth.co.za.

Janet Hugo, CFP®

2018 Winner

Currently judged as the Financial Planner of the Year 2018/19.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner, Janet successfully completed the board exam in 2004 and went on to completed the advanced post graduate higher diplomas from the UOFS with a focus on Estate Planning and Investment management.

With well over 13 years in the financial services previously as a director of Hugo Capital and currently as a director of Sterling Private Clients. She built her interest in wealth management by always pursuing the best way to provide independent holistic financial and investment advice for clients.

In 2006 Janet started and ran the Sunday Times Wealth Forum offering presentations to the public on topics of financial planning and investment management. Later she hosted the FinWeek Wealth Forum, involving a series of published articles and public presentations.

Janet has been actively involved with the Financial Planning Institute since 2009 and served as chair for the FPI’s Investment Committee between 2010 and 2018. She holds a strong belief that the mark of a true profession can be measured by the quality of the pro bono work done by its members. This has been backed up by presentations and financial education initiatives, including hosting the “My Money 123” program for well over 600 attendees.

Her independent wealth management practice provides investment and financial planning advice and implementation services on a bespoke basis to clients in both Johannesburg and the Cape.

Mark MacSymon, CFP®

2017 Winner

Mark MacSymon CFP® is an award-winning financial professional who has nurtured a successful career in the wealth management industry since joining Private Client Holdings in 2010.

Mark’s in-depth understanding of both the investment and legal landscape locally and offshore, helps him to provide comprehensive wealth management advice and solutions for the HNW South African families he prefers to work with.

After completing a Masters Degree in Economics from Stellenbosch University, Mark went on to sharpen his technical tool set with a Postgraduate and an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (Investments and Estate planning) from the University of the Free State, and more recently a module in Advanced Taxation from the University of Pretoria.

Mark prides himself on his ability to remain calm under pressure and provide real solutions and comfort during times of discomfort to the families he serves. He believes that the most important attributes of the modern wealth management professional are impartiality, transparency and a commitment to service excellence.

Mark was awarded the FINANCIAL PLANNING INSTITUTE’s™ Financial Planner of the Year Award in 2017. The award was launched in 2000 and is the most prestigious award in South Africa’s financial planning profession. It recognises the country’s top CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®. Mark was acknowledged by the FPI as “a stellar professional who exhibits revolutionary ideas, consummate skills and unimpeachable ethics when dealing with clients”.

Mark is a Key Individual of Private Client Wealth Management (PCWM), the advisory arm of Private Client Holdings and a member of the company’s Investment Committee. He is a proud ambassador of the business and the unique multi-Family Office value proposition it provides.

In Mark’s own words, “True value is created when you combine the process of Goals Based Wealth Management with the integrity of an INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION that provides a traditional multi-Family Office service through its innovative organisational architecture.”.

Mark is married to Lindsey and they have two children, Liam and Isabella. As an avid trail runner he is a regular competitor of the annual Otter African Trail Run and has completed the Drakensberg Grand Traverse self-supported. Mark enjoys kayak fishing, explorative travel with his family and competes in as many endurance events as time allows.

Bruce Fleming, CFP®

2016 Winner

Bruce has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry and is passionate about lifestyle financial planning, which begins and ends with maintaining and managing his clients’ lifestyles.

He started his career as a legal advisor at Old Mutual, followed by practice manager at Acsis (now Old Mutual Wealth) and has for the last 20 years, practised as a financial planner in various roles. He joined Private Wealth Management in August 2016.

Bruce won the prestigious Financial Planning Institute’s Financial Planner of the Year Award in 2016. Bruce has a BCom LLB from the University of Kwa Zulu Natal, is a Certified Financial Planner and holds an advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State.

He enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and travelling.

Wouter Fourie, CFP®

2015 Winner

Wouter Fourie, CFP® is the Chief Executive Officer of Ascor Independent Wealth Managers (Cat I), one of South Africa’s first multidisciplinary financial planning practices and a Director of Assetmix Solutions (Pty) Ltd (Cat II). Under his leadership, Ascor was named South Africa’s Best Advisor Practice from 2016 to 2019 by International Adviser magazine, a UK-based global financial publication.

A respected industry leader with over 27 years of experience in holistic financial planning and wealth management, Wouter holds an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (specialising in investments and estate planning) and is a Professional Accountant (SA) with additional postgraduate qualifications in advanced taxation.

In recognition of his professional excellence, Wouter was awarded the prestigious title of FPI Financial Planner of the Year in 2015, sponsored by Personal Finance. He is a sought-after guest speaker and media commentator, having appeared on Business Day TV, KykNET, Summit TV, RSG Radio, and other prominent platforms. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Pretoria.

Wouter previously served as a Director of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI), as Chairman of the FPI Centre for Professional Development (Pty) Ltd, and as a member of both the FPI Strategy Committee and the FPI Investment Competency Committee until 2018. In 2018 and 2019, he was recognised on the IA100 list by International Adviser magazine as one of the 100 most influential individuals in global financial planning.

Ascor is proud to be an FPI Approved Professional Practice™ and actively supports the development of the next generation of planners through a formal Professional Mentorship Programme for aspiring CFP® professionals.

Wouter is also a prolific financial writer and thought leader, having published more than 80 articles on Moneyweb, where he shares insights on investment strategies, retirement planning, taxation, and wealth management. In addition, Wouter is the founder of www.retirementplanning.co.za — a specialised platform dedicated to retirement planning. The website serves as a trusted resource where he and other leading experts regularly publish high-quality articles aimed at helping South Africans make informed retirement decisions.

He co-authored The Code of Ethics – Business Manual for CFP® Professionals (2016) with Anton Swanepoel and later partnered with Bruce Cameron to co-author the best-selling The Ultimate Guide to Retirement in South Africa (2018, updated in 2019 and 2023) and Secure Your Retirement (2020), further establishing his reputation as one of South Africa’s foremost authorities on retirement planning.

Peter Hewett, CFP®

2014 Winner

Peter has operated in the financial services industry for 32 years within trust and fiduciary services, lending, financial planning and advisory, portfolio management and senior executive and board roles within ABSA, FNB, Syfrets, BoE, Nedbank, and Efficient Group.

Peter holds a B.Econ, a CAIB(SA) and a CFP™ and is also a winner of the FPI Financial Planner of the Year Award.

In 2016, Peter established Hewett Wealth as a totally independent financial services business, which currently has branches in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town and which will gradually expand into other regions in future. The business has grown significantly through referrals since its establishment and now looks after the financial affairs of more than 600 clients with assets under management and advice exceeding R2,3 billion Rand. He is married to Erika and they have two wonderful sons, Ashley and Andrew.

Barry O’Mahony, CFP®

2013 Winner

Barry O’Mahony founded Veritas Wealth Management in 2004 with the goal of building long-term relationships with clients who can trust that their financial well-being is the focus at all times.

Barry is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He holds a Bachelor in Economics, a diploma in Business Administration, a diploma in Social Studies from Oxford University and a post graduate diploma in Financial Planning.

Jan-Carel Botha, CFP®

2012 Winner

Jan-Carel Botha is a Certified Financial Planner of note. Winner of the title, Financial Planner of the Year 2012, Botha has been recognised for professional excellence, expertise and outstanding financial planning services by the Financial Planning Institute (FPI). Going hand in hand with this industry acknowledgement, Jan-Carel is serving as the 2012 FPI and CFP® professional brand ambassador and official industry spokesperson. Leading up to 2012, he was one of the three finalists for this award over two consecutive years, 2010 and 2011.

Botha is passionate about the financial wellbeing of people. He is currently part of the financial planning team at Ultima Financial Planners, also home to a former FPI Financial Planner of the Year. His goal is to change the lives of clients through sound financial planning, assisting them to reach their financial and lifestyle goals reliably over time. As a professional financial planner, he provides holistic financial planning, integrated wealth management solutions and manages individuals' financial interests exceptionally. However, what sets him apart is his continuous pursuit for significance. He focuses on constant improvement and adoption of global best practices in financial planning, which he believes is critical to remain relevant and for clients' peace of mind.

Widely acknowledged for his expertise, he has been a guest speaker on numerous platforms, addressing the public, corporates and members of pension and provident funds on various financial planning topics. In his role as financial advisor, he has been quoted in national and local media, having been a guest on CNBC Africa Wealth Quest, CNBC Africa Investment 360 and Summit TV’s show, The Summit Investor. Botha also features regularly as a studio guest of Wealth Through Financial Planning on local radio station Impact Radio 103FM and has also been on interviewed on RSG, Talk Radio 702, Classic FM and Radio 2000. Further print media involvement includes, Personal Finance, Independent Newspapers, Sake24, Pretoria News, The Star, Cape Argus and Invest SA.

Married to Maretha, Jan-Carel is a dedicated family man and father to their two-year-old son, Dail. With a dream to retire early to play on the PGA Tour, he is an avid golfer with a single digit handicap.

Jan-Carel holds a B. Com degree in Economics (UNISA) and a Post-graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (UFS). He is a member of the Financial Planning Institute (FPI).

Warren Ingram, CFP®

2011 Winner

Warren Ingram is the author of two best-selling personal finance books, How To Make Your First Million and Become Your Own Financial Advisor. He hosts the Honest Money podcast and is also a regular guest on 702 Radio/CapeTalk with Bruce Whitfield. In addition to his radio appearances, Warren writes a regular column for Business Day and Fin24.

Warren has been a financial planner since November 1996 and a CFP® professional since 2005. He was the Financial Planning Institute’s Financial Planner of the Year in 2011 and their Media Award winner in 2013.

Warren co-founded Galileo Capital Group with Theo Vorster in 2005 and the Group now employs more than 125 people with 6 offices in South Africa.

Natasja Norval Hart, CFP®

2010 Winner

Natasja Hart has been driving financial wellness for her clients since 1999. With the knowledge built through a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Pretoria, she continued her studies and attained a post-graduate diploma in financial planning from the University of the Free State. Natasja specialised further by obtaining a double Advanced Diploma Financial Planning. In 2010, she was the second woman to receive the prestigious Financial Planner of the Year award from the Financial Planning Institute. She has been on the Institute’s board and volunteered on various sub-committees to ensure those who follow in her tracks live up to the high standards set.

From working with organisations like Citadel, Consolidated Financial Planning, and Sasfin, Natasja found her home in GCI Wealth in April 2016.

Alec Riddle, CFP®

2009 Winner

Alec has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry and is passionate about helping his clients with their holistic financial and retirement planning.

He started his career in the financial services industry in 2002 and joined Private Wealth Management in 2016 (also had a stint in 1984/85).

Alec is a Certified Financial Planner. He was recognised as the 2009 Financial Planner of the Year by The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa after being a finalist in 2008.

Alec is a keen athlete finishing 21st in the 1988 Comrades Marathon and being the World Champion in his age group at the Half Ironman World Championships in Las Vegas in 2011. He is also a regular commentator for the Comrades, Two Oceans and Cape Town Marathons.

John Campbell, CFP®

2008 Winner

John Campbell is the CEO of an independent financial planning practice, Chartered Wealth Solutions. John joined the industry 24 years ago and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He ensures that he keeps up to date with trends in the industry; he recently attended the 2018 FPA Annual Conference in Chicago as the only South African delegate! He applies the insights, practical strategies and knowledge gained there at Chartered Wealth Solutions.

John was the FPI Financial Planner of the Year in 2008, and delivered the key-note address at the 2009 FPI Convention. John has appeared on CNBC Africa, Summit TV and 702 Talk Radio, and has presented at many conferences and run workshops for Financial Planners around South Africa. He has written numerous articles for a variety of industry publications, including Business Day and Personal Finance.

John remains committed to seeing the financial planning industry gain greater credibility, as increasingly clients recognise the value of professional and holistic advice.

Ian Beere, CFP®

2007 Winner

Craig Kiggen, CFP®

2006 Winner

Craig commenced his financial planning career in 1998, following completion of a three-year period of articles and Chartered Accountancy studies. He founded Consolidated Financial Planning, which has since evolved to become Consolidated Wealth

At 31 years of age, Craig was distinguished as the youngest global recipient of the Financial Planner of the Year® award. He has presented at numerous international conferences, sharing his expertise in topics such as practice management, mentorship, leadership, financial planning, and leading without authority. Craig has also been invited to participate in panel discussions, appeared on radio, CNBC TV (Africa and Internationally), and authored articles for several financial journals on personal financial planning and business subjects.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Craig has chaired the Africa Board of the Young Presidents Organization (www.ypo.org), leading his region to receive the Best of the Best® award. He presently serves as the only South African member of the International Board of Directors for YPO. A devout and devoted husband and father, Craig revels in outdoor recreation and skiing with his loved ones, whenever the opportunity arises.

Presently, Craig serves as a founding director of Consolidated Wealth Group, an enterprise that manages R3.7 billion on behalf of its clients. You may contact him via email at info@consolidated.co.za.

Lionel Karp, CFP®

2005 Winner

Dulipkumar Garach, CFP®

2004 Winner

Gerrit Viljoen, CFP®

2003 Winner

Bouwer Nell, CFP®

2002 Winner

Bouwer Nell has more than 30 years’ experience as a financial planner and was awarded Financial Planner of the Year in 2002. He started his career as an attorney in private practice, and later joined Old Mutual as legal advisor, before establishing his own financial advice business in 1996.

In 2014, Citadel acquired The Wealth Corporation and Nell became the Regional Head for the Citadel Tygervalley office.

He is passionate about the industry and believes every client should have a financial roadmap based on their unique goals, dreams and ambitions. Over weekends you will find him outdoors spending quality time with family and friends.

Debbie Netto, CFP®

2001 Winner

Debbie Netto-Jonker is the founder of Netto Invest (Pty) Ltd. Her journey in the financial services industry began in 1987 when she left the Nursing Profession to become an advisor. Debbie soon registered as an independent financial planner and after studying financial planning through the University of the Free State, registered with the Financial Planning Instituted as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional.

In 2001, Debbie was named Financial Planner of the Year by the Financial Planning Institute, iPac and Personal Finance.

Debbie has mentored and given talks to financial planners on how to improve their practice management, client services and has run retirement seminars for various professional associations or public forums. Debbie has appeared on television and radio and is quoted in various personal finance-related publications.

Innovative, systems-orientated and an instinctive strategic thinker, Debbie’s involvement with her clients often extends beyond the strictly financial, to embrace business management and life coaching. Her company’s loyal client base she believes is a direct consequence of reliable ongoing care delivered by a team whose hallmark is independence and integrity. All team members are mentored and coached, ensuring that they continue to provide clients with insightful and effective planning and support on their journey through life.

Debbie is married to Dave, an electrical engineer and has two children, Kerry and Michael. Her passion is helping clients to ‘help themselves’, she loves her time with her family and friends, is a keen rower, a skier and an ocean-going mariner.