The FPI Financial Planner of the Year Award is a highly sought-after prize that recognises excellence in the profession and practice of financial planning. The Award was launched in 2000 for FPI members with the first winner being crowned at the annual convention gala dinner in 2001.
The competition to recognise the country’s top CFP® is stringent and challenging. It has developed over time to include the assessment of financial plans prepared by the financial planner and a site visit thereby examining the financial planner’s competency, practice management skills, knowledge of the wider financial planning industry and the ability to be the spokesperson for the financial planning profession.
All the nominees had to showcase their talents and abilities, exhibiting innovative ideas, excellent skills and impeccable ethics when dealing with clients.
The FPI Financial Planner of the Year competition is open to all CFP® Professionals who are practicing professional financial planners or those who provide specialist financial advice to clients as part of their full-time business. A practicing financial planner is defined as a person who engages in financial planning using the six-step financial planning process when working with clients.
| THE SIX STEPS OF FINANCIAL PLANNING 1. Understanding the client’s financial circumstances. 2. Identifying goals. 3. Analysing the client’s current course of action. 4. Developing financial planning recommendations. 5. Implementing the financial plan. 6. Monitoring progress and updating. |
Meet the three finalists for 2024
Gareth Collier, CFP®, Director, Crue Invest
Gareth Collier 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 UNISA and achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNING® professional designation. Collier serves as a director and shareholder at Crue Invest, which is recognised as one of South Africa’s most distinguished FPI Approved Professional Practices. His expertise extends to employee benefits, where he excels in crafting personalised, cost-effective solutions for employees.
Rudolph Geldenhuys, CFP®, Senior Financial Planner, WealthUp
Rudolph Geldenhuys graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a BCom in 2012. He pursued further education at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, earning his postgraduate diploma in financial planning in 2014, followed by a specialised postgraduate diploma in financial planning (summa cum laude) from the University of the Free State in 2018, where he achieved top accolades in investment planning and financial planning law. Geldenhuys serves on the FPI’s Western Cape Regional Committee. He has a strong conviction about giving back to the community.
René van de Spreng, CFP®, Wealth Manager and Director, Apex Private Wealth
Private Wealth
René van de Spreng has worked in the financial services industry for both large corporate and independent advisory firms for close to two decades. He has a deep passion for independent financial planning, investment management, retirement as well as estate and tax planning. He serves as his client’s trusted thinking partner while understanding and addressing their needs.
Blue Chip congratulates the three finalists. Keep cultivating growth and harvesting excellence.
