In November 2021, New York-based Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd (FPSB) named Lelané Bezuidenhout CFP®, the CEO of Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI), as the next chairperson of its Chief Executives Committee (CEC) – a role that she will fulfil for two years, effective 1 January 2022.
FPSB is the standards-setting body for the global financial planning profession and owner of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® programme outside the United States.
The CEC is made up of chief executives from around the world, and accountable to the FPSB board of directors. In 2022 it will have 10 members, with a mandate to establish and promote the financial planning profession and the CFP® certification as its symbol of excellence.
At the helm of the CEC, Bezuidenhout will be required to coordinate efforts among FPSB’s network of organisations to achieve various goals. These include:
- Growing the number of CFP® professionals around the world and supporting career and learning paths for new entrants to the profession.
- Future-proofing global standards for financial planning and CFP® certification requirements.
- Enhancing and promoting the value proposition of financial planning and the CFP® certification.
- Helping to increase access to financial planning.
- Aligning the CFP® certification programme delivery across FPSB territories, to support and enhanced cross-border practice.
Collaboration is key
Bezuidenhout has been the CEO of FPI since 2019. She joined the organisation in 2014 and has more than 20 years of experience in financial planning. Before becoming CEO, she served in a number of roles at FPI, including head of certification and standards. She is a CFP® professional and has a post-graduate diploma in financial planning.
“Thank you to my peers for their vote of confidence,” said Bezuidenhout. “I look forward to serving FPSB’s Chief Executives Committee as we focus on several important initiatives. Collaboration among those of us leading CFP® certification programmes around the world is so important – I’m excited to share the South African experience and bring global know-how home to our community of professionals.”
Garry Muriwai, FPSB Board Chairperson, was pleased to welcome Bezuidenhout. “The FPSB board works closely with – and relies on – our global network to execute our strategic priorities and accomplish our vision,” he said. “The board values the years of leadership, experience, and diversity of thought that Lelané brings, to help us achieve our objectives in emerging and developing markets.”
About FPI
Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa is a qualifications authority and recognised professional body for financial planners. It is the only institution in South Africa to offer the CFP® certification, and has been approved by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as a Recognised Controlling Body (RCB).
There are 27 affiliate member countries which offer the CFP® certification.
