Annual FPI Convention and Gala Awards Ceremony
Johannesburg: In less than six weeks, the annual Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) Convention will take place, featuring the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony. During this event, the winner of this year’s FPI Financial Planner of the Year (FPOTY) competition will be revealed.
The FPI is proud to introduce the three exceptional finalists who will be competing for this distinguished award: Brendan Dunn CFP®, Theoniel Mcdonald CFP®, and Nicola Langridge CFP®.
Details of the Award and Ceremony
The winner will be announced on 3 November 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, during the Gala Dinner Awards Ceremony.
Established in 2000, the FPOTY award is highly coveted and recognises outstanding achievement in the field and practice of financial planning. The recipient of the award will receive the FPI Financial Planner of the Year trophy, an official certificate, and will also be appointed as one of the FPI’s professional brand ambassadors.
The competition is designed to honour the country’s leading CFP® professional and is, by nature, rigorous and demanding. All nominees were required to satisfy a comprehensive set of criteria, and subsequently, to demonstrate their expertise and talent through innovative ideas, superior skills, and uncompromising ethical standards in client engagements.
Meet the finalists
Brendan Dunn, CFP®
Brendan Dunn obtained a BCom Honours degree in Accounting Sciences from the University of Pretoria and completed his articles at TGVN Auditors, registering as a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) in 2016. In 2016, he joined Verso Wealth as a Paraplanner, obtaining his Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning through the University of the Free State and becoming a Certified Financial Planner Professional®. He served as a Financial Planner from 2018 until the end of 2020. He then worked in
Asset Management with Galileo Asset Managers before joining Hewett Wealth in 2023 as a Financial Advisor and is now an Executive Head. Brendan is passionate about Financial Education.
Theoniel Mcdonald, CFP®
Theoniel McDonald has over 20 years of experience in the financial services profession, with a passion for business and financial planning. This passion led him to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and an MBA. With strong entrepreneurial skills, a solid business background, and exceptional problem-solving abilities, Theoniel provides comprehensive financial planning services to his clients, primarily business owners and professionals. He understands the importance of a client-centric approach and constantly improving and professionalising his advisory practice.
Nicola Langridge, CFP®
Nicola joined Private Client Holdings in 2016, making her way into wealth management from a solid grounding in unit trust operations with a local asset manager. She has a Bachelor of Business Science with Honours in Finance from UCT, a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from UFS, and is a Certified Financial Planner®.
Nicola believes in giving comprehensive and professional financial advice. She has a special interest in empowering women to take charge of their financial affairs. She is committed to a goals-based Family Office approach to structuring finances to ensure financial security and growth in the long term.
Nicola has travelled extensively but is now settled in her birthplace, Cape Town, with her husband and two children. The family spends their free time on the beach and in the ocean.
Additional Awards and Recognition
At the Awards Dinner, a range of additional prizes will also be presented in various competition categories, including:
- Professional Practice of the Year Award: Celebrating the practice that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing excellence in practice management, expertise, and the holistic delivery of financial planning services.
- Diversity and Inclusion Award: Recognising the individual who has shown tireless dedication to promoting diversity within the financial planning profession.
- Harry Brews Award: Honouring an extraordinary individual for unwavering and distinguished service to both the FPI and the broader financial planning profession.
- It Starts with Me Award: Celebrating a CFP® professional’s steadfast commitment to advocating for the CFP® certification.
- Top Candidate Award: Awarded to the candidate who achieved the highest performance in the FPI’s CFP® Professional Competency Examination.
A Night to Remember
This exceptional Awards Ceremony remains a highlight of the annual calendar in financial planning. We look forward to your attendance as we celebrate the dedication and achievements of financial practitioners—an occasion not to be missed!
How to Attend
To purchase your ticket for the FPI Awards Ceremony Gala Dinner, email us at events@fpi.co.za or call +27 (0) 11 470 6000. For further information or queries, please visit the FPI website.
About the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa
The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa is the sole professional body in South Africa authorised to offer the FSA®, RFP®, and internationally FPSB owned CFP® professional designations. As a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) registered professional body, FPI’s designations are listed on the National Learning Registered Database (NLRD). FPI is also approved by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as a Recognised Controlling Body (RCB).
For more information on obtaining a professional designation, email businessdevelopment@fpi.co.za or call +27 (11) 470 6000. For more information about the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa, visit www.fpi.co.za.
