With over three decades of experience in the financial services industry, I’ve learnt that leadership is not a right but a responsibility that must be earned daily through service, authenticity and humility. It’s not about control or ego; it’s not how many people you manage but about how many you can help believe in themselves, their own abilities and their collective efforts that are uncapped.
True leadership is about coaching, listening and helping others reach their true potential. It’s truly seeing the whole person – not just the job they do. It’s about giving more than taking. This belief has led me to recognise that servant leadership is the best model for this era we live in and beyond. This notion comes from years of practising and living this particular style of leadership.
As I step into the role of CEO at Consult, I bring with me the belief that purpose must drive everything we do. Consult by Momentum is one of South Africa’s largest independent financial advice businesses, and our mission is simple – to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Purpose is not merely a statement you frame and hang on a wall. It must be lived, every day, by everyone in the organisation. This begins with leadership. I do not lead because I hold a title. I lead because I’ve been entrusted with the hopes, livelihoods and aspirations of people, and I have to honour that trust with action.
True leadership is about coaching, listening and helping others reach their true potential. It’s truly seeing the whole person – not just the job they do. It’s about giving more than taking.
I have a dream for Consult. Not only do I have a dream for Consult, I also have a vision for an industry that’s often caught between regulation and returns. I envision financial advice to be not just a service, but a force for good – to help people build legacies and realise their aspirations while empowering them to live with confidence and dignity knowing that they are in control of their finances.
We live in uncertain times where economic instability, social fragmentation and environmental strain are shaping a very different world. The unfortunate reality is that our planet is suffering damage, yet I believe the world will survive. I fear it’s humanity that may not. That’s the real challenge. The question is: are we rising to the challenge or failing those who depend on us? As an industry, we must rise to this crucial moment. Advice – real, human, thoughtful advice – has the power to change lives. It can help a parent to send a child to university, help a couple to retire with peace of mind and help a young professional to navigate uncertainty with confidence. But we can only deliver that kind of value when we lead with both care and competence.
At Consult, we are building a culture of true partnerships among advisers, clients and communities. This means embracing diversity, respecting different views and treating everyone with fairness and empathy. It means acting with honesty and openness – not because it’s trendy, but because it’s right.
It also means understanding that we’re part of something larger. When personal values align with shared purpose, we can create something far greater than the sum of its parts. We can turn individual contributions into a symphony of leadership, service and impact.
This is personal to me. I believe in the greater good of humankind. I believe that we have choice, even if we don’t always have control of situations. I believe in greeting the day, in being kind to children, to elders and to the natural world. I believe that leadership, if done well, creates not just profit, but progress. Our clients, teams and families notice what we do, not just what we say. So, each of us must lead with integrity, show respect, act with kindness and take every opportunity to make someone’s life better.
That is the dream: that we work together, create together, overcome challenges together and in doing so, find our shared purpose. But dreams must be backed by action. Belief is most powerful when it’s reflected in behaviour.
This is the kind of leadership I intend to bring to Consult, and the kind that I will dedicate myself to earning, every day, as we journey together.
Because in the end, leadership is not about salutes, it is about results.
