19 July 2024
We are delighted to announce the names of the three finalists for the most prestigious competition in the financial planning industry – The 2024 Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa Financial Planner of the Year Award.
Johannesburg: In less than three weeks, the annual Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) Convention will take place, incorporating the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, where this year’s winner of the FPI Financial Planner of the Year (FPOTY) competition will be crowned. The FPI is proud to announce the three finalists that will be vying for this prestigious award as Gareth Collier CFP®, Rudolph Geldenhuys, CFP® and René Van De Spreng, CFP®.
The winner will be announced on 13 August at the Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, at the Gala Dinner Awards Ceremony. The FPOTY award was launched in 2000 and is a highly sought-after prize that recognizes excellence in the profession and practice of financial planning. The winner will receive the FPI Financial Planner of the year trophy, together with a certificate and be appointed as one of the FPI’s professional brand ambassadors. The competition to recognise the country’s top CFP®, is of necessity, stringent and challenging. All the nominees had to meet a set of rigorous criteria and thereafter had to showcase their talents and abilities exhibiting innovative ideas, excellent skills and impeccable ethics when dealing with clients.
The three finalists:
Gareth Collier, CFP®
Gareth is deeply committed to financial planning, guiding clients towards lasting financial freedom through strategic investing and wealth creation. He was awarded a BCom degree from and UNISA and achieved the Certified Financial Planning® professional designation. Gareth serves as a director and shareholder at Crue Invest (Pty) Ltd, which is recognized as one of South Africa’s most distinguished FPI Approved Professional Practices. His expertise extends to employee benefits, where he excels in crafting personalized, cost-effective solutions for employees.
Rudolph Geldenhuys, CFP®
Rudolph graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a Bachelor’s in Commerce in 2012. He pursued further education at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, earning his Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning in 2014, followed by a Specialized Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Free State in 2018, where he achieved top accolades in Investment Planning and Financial Planning Law. Since 2016, he has been a Certified Financial Planner® registered with the FPI.
Having started his career in the financial services industry in 2013, Rudolf was recently appointed to the FPI’s Western Cape Regional Committee.
René Van De Spreng, CFP®
René is a wealth manager and Director at Apex Private Wealth. He has worked in the financial services industry, for both large corporates and independent advisory firms, for close to two decades. He has a deep passion for independent financial planning, investment management, retirement, estate, and tax planning. He serves as his client’s trusted thinking partner whilst understanding and addressing their needs.
At the Awards dinner, there will be additional prizes distributed for competition categories, including the:
- Diversity and Inclusion Award that speaks to the efforts of the individual exhibiting tireless commitment to increase diversity in the financial planning profession,
- Harry Brews Award which honours an extraordinary individual for undying and dedicated service to both the FPI and the financial planning profession in general,
- It Starts with Me Award which recognises a CFP® professional for their unyielding dedication to promoting the CFP® certification; and
- Student Competition Award recognising the top team from various universities and education providers.
- Top Candidate Award which goes to the candidate whose performance surpassed all the others’ in the FPI’s CFP® Professional Competency Examination.
To purchase your ticket to attend the FPI Professional Convention, email us at events@fpi.co.za or call us on +27 (0) 11 470 6000. Media representatives who would like to attend the event can send a request via media@fpi.co.za.
Financial Planning and Advice for all.
The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa is the only professional body in South Africa to offer the FSA™, RFP™ and internationally recognised CFP® professional designations. It is a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) registered professional body and our professional designations are registered on the National Learning Registered Database (NLRD). We are also approved by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as a Recognised Controlling Body (RCB). For more information on how to obtain a professional designation, e-mail businessdevelopment@fpi.co.za or call +27 (11) 470 6000.
For media interviews or bookings with a Financial Planner or Advisor, please e-mail marketing@fpi.co.za.