FPI UPDATES | CEO message

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Lelané Bezuidenhout, CFP®,

CEO, Financial Planning

Institute of Southern Africa

Looking ahead to 2024

The CEO of Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa shares FPI’s latest news.

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Greetings and a warm welcome to this edition of Blue Chip magazine! We are grateful to have the support of an established publication like Blue Chip dedicated to supporting the financial planning profession and delivering the latest insights from the industry. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey with us!


Global update

It is with gratitude that I reflect on the achievements and significant moments that shaped the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) in Q4 of 2023.

   In October, FPI chairperson, Kirsty Scully, CFP®, and I had the honour of representing the FPI on the international stage, joining over 20 Financial Planning Standard Board (FPSB) affiliates in Singapore. This marked a key moment as we immersed ourselves in the global financial planning community at the Financial Planning Association of Singapore (FPAS) global conference. It was a joyous occasion as we celebrated the 25th anniversary of CFP certification in Singapore, mirroring FPI’s own milestone in South Africa.

  During this international gathering, FPSB introduced the Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Award, a global accolade recognising those who have made indelible contributions to the financial planning profession. We are delighted to announce that the inaugural recipient of this prestigious award is the former FPSB CEO, Noel Maye. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Noel on this well-deserved recognition. 

   In the spirit of global collaboration, we extend a warm welcome to FPSB Italia as an Associate of our global network. Our time in Singapore also provided a platform for engaging in discussions on crucial global matters such as digital assets, ESG and AI, signalling the evolution and adaptability of our profession.


Local update

Shifting our focus back to South Africa, the #2023 FPI Professional’s Convention, Back to the Future, took centre stage. With close to 800 online attendees and approximately 400 in-person participants, the convention was a testament to the unwavering support of our community of expert financial planning professionals. We express our sincere gratitude for your commitment and active participation, making it a humbling and gratifying experience. Special thanks to the exhibitors, especially Blue Chip, who joined us in making this year’s convention a success. Visit our website to see some of the highlights of this year’s convention.

   An unforgettable moment during the convention was the presence of Dante de Gori, CFP® and CEO of the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). During Dante’s visit, we were fortunate enough to interview him about the FPSB's identity and his vision for the financial planning profession, the recording of this interview is available on FPI’s YouTube channel.

   Then, the 2024 FPI Professional’s Convention will be in August in Cape Town! We cannot wait to connect with you in the Mother City. More details to follow soon.


2023 Award winners

The highlight of the 2023 FPI Professional’s Convention was the truly classical gala awards evening, where we celebrated excellence in the financial planning profession.

   On 14 November 2023, Lara Warburton, CFP®, was announced as the distinguished recipient of the FPI Financial Planner of the Year Award.

In addition to Lara’s achievement, the evening celebrated other noteworthy winners:

  • FPI Approved Professional Practice of the Year: Crue Invest
  • Diversity and Inclusion Award: Olwethu Masanabo, CFP®
  • Harry Brews Award: Robert Macdonald, CFP®
  • It Starts with Me Award: Kim Potgieter, CFP®
  • Top Candidate Award: Stephan Lombard
  • Top Student Financial Plan winners: University of Johannesburg (MSK Financial Services)
  • FPSB 25 Year Award: The FPI for celebrating 25 years of CFP certification

2024 will bring challenges, but it is also packed with growth opportunities.

Membership Renewal

As we start the new year, we extend our gratitude to the more than 2 500 members who renewed their memberships by 15 December 2023. Membership renewal is open until 31 March 2024 and CPD compliance is due by 31 May 2024.


Annual Refresher

Looking ahead to 2024, we invite you to join us for the Annual Refresher (AR2024). Scheduled from the end of February to mid-March across various regions (Cape Town, Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal) this event features a stellar lineup of speakers, including Andrew Bradley, Errol Meyer, Wessel Oosthuizen, Lelane Bezuidenhout and the 2023 Financial Planner of the Year, Lara Warburton. See our website for more information.


Professional Competency Examination

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 76 candidates who demonstrated competence in the September 2023 examination sitting. Your success is a testament to your commitment to excellence, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming you as official FPI professional members in the near future.


Welcome Q1 2024!

The FPI is gearing up for an exciting start, featuring the online Budget Speech event on 21 February and the Annual Refresher, both not to be missed.

   But that’s not all. We have got big plans for the year ahead. Four PCEs are lined up to ensure that as many candidates as possible get the chance to take FPI’s PCE exam in the “old” format before the transition to the NextGen Certification Standards in 2025. For more details, dive into Nici Macdonald’s article in this publication or visit our website. Our commitment doesn’t stop there. We’re on a mission to localise the latest global financial planning standards during 2024 as released by the FPSB in April 2023.

   Consumer education takes centre stage, especially with the anticipated two-component (pot) system, whether it rolls out in September or March 2024. We believe education is key to steering consumers away from potential financial pitfalls.

   As we navigate through 2024, keep these key areas in mind:

  • Two-Component (Pot) System. Be prepared to manage client expectations and communicate potential delays. Adaptability is the name of the game.
  • Compliance Documentation and Risk Management. Prioritise compliance documentation, adopt a meticulous approach to risk management and align with the looming COFI horizon. It’s a crucial aspect of the journey.
  • Continued Professional Development. It is imperative! Focus on personal development plans, align CPD hours with defined learning outcomes and stay informed. As financial professionals, take responsibility for your role as the primary “product” clients invest in.

Yes, 2024 will bring challenges, but it is also packed with growth opportunities. Let’s embrace the year, tackle the challenges head-on and make the most of every opportunity – especially in this election year.


Wishing you all the best until next time,

Lelané Bezuidenhout, CFP®, CEO, Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa