After nearly 30 years in the financial services industry, I decided to go it alone! I guess some would say, I just couldn’t stomach working for a corporate any longer.
That may be true, but its a bit more than that.
I wasn’t tired of working. I was tired of the rules.
Mindless tick box processes designed to prove that the company has complied with all the laws. Designed to protect the company from any level of negligence or bad advice. Making sure that if anything goes wrong, its the adviser’s fault, not the company.
Sucking the air out of those who put in the extra effort or dare to give professional advice in the best interests of the client.
Trying to reconcile why clients with more money were more important than others.
And being focused on maximising assets under management.
Going alone has not been easy. In doing so, I remained focused on achieving a few simple things:
- To prove that I can make a real difference to a small group of clients.
- To provide professional advice at a price lower than any corporate can.
- To be proud of my efforts again.
- And to challenge the industry at every opportunity where the client’s interests are in conflict with the advice they are given.
Professionally, I studied at UCT and obtained B.Bus.Sc in Actuarial Science. I am also a professional member of the Financial Planning Institute with the designation as a CFP®
For the next 12 years, I worked with and under some incredible people at Old Mutual.
Although I did not complete the actuarial qualification, I learned the most important skills in assessing risk and understanding the time value of money.
In the 1990’s, I branched out into consulting, and was given the opportunity to give advice to pension funds, medical aid societies and to corporates regarding benefits provided to their employees.
In 1997, I joined Citadel which was to be the first business in SA which pioneered the shift from selling products to giving professional advice to individuals and families.
In my spare time, I try to enjoy everything life and nature has to offer. From hiking in the Cape’s floral kingdom, sailing, cycling, jogging, diving and surfing.
And regularly visiting to our precious national reserves. The dry reserves of Kgalagadi and Etosha being my favourites.