With just over two weeks to go, excitement is building for the announcement of the winner of the 2024 Financial Planner of the Year Award next month.
Each year, the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) honours financial planners who have achieved remarkable success in their field. The competition is renowned for its rigorous evaluation, which includes three challenging rounds designed to highlight the finalists’ skills and expertise.
The FPI announced the three finalists for this year’s award last week:
- Gareth Collier, a director and shareholder at Crue Invest.
- Rudolph Geldenhuys, a senior financial planner at WealthUp.
- René van de Spreng, a wealth manager and director at Apex Private Wealth.
Moonstone caught up with the three finalists to get their insights on the competition and the industry landscape. Last week, we highlighted Collier’s journey. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Geldenhuys. Look out for Van de Spreng’s profile in our next newsletter.
Rudolph Geldenhuys
Geldenhuys, a senior financial planner at WealthUp, boasts a distinguished educational background. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce from Stellenbosch University in 2012 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning in 2014. In 2018, he completed a Specialised Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (summa cum laude) from the University of the Free State. Certified as a Financial Planning Professional since 2016, Geldenhuys recently started his term on the FPI’s Western Cape Regional Committee.
For Geldenhuys, the most challenging aspect of the competition has been the unpredictability of the two rounds of panel interviews.
“Even though you receive a short brief per round of what to expect, it was still nerve-racking going into it,” he explains.
The competition consists of three rounds: the initial submission of a client financial plan, followed by a panel interview focused on compliance, practice management, and adherence to the FPI’s standards. The final round involves a presentation on a topic provided by the panel, followed by a comprehensive Q&A session covering industry trends, technical details, and legislative changes.
To tackle the uncertainty of the second round, Geldenhuys thoroughly familiarised himself with his firm’s processes and procedures.
“What made a big difference was that I was part of the team to develop these processes and procedures,” he says.
For the final panel interview, he immersed himself in a wealth of information on topics such as the two-pot retirement system and the Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill.
“The upside to this is that I can tell you all you need to know and more about the upcoming two-pot retirement system, the COFI Bill, our greylisting, and about 12 other topics,” he adds with a hint of humour.
Despite the intense preparation, Geldenhuys notes that his approach was to be authentically himself rather than to overly strategize. “My coach, Johan, constantly reminded me to play to my strengths and be purposefully me. Nothing more, nothing less.”
In discussing current industry trends, Geldenhuys shares a preference for focusing on the fundamentals rather than fleeting trends.
“To be very honest, I try not to pay too much attention to the latest and greatest industry trends,” he admits. Instead, he emphasises the importance of maintaining a steady approach to financial planning.
“Trends come and go,” he notes, likening the volatility of financial trends to the unpredictable nature of fashion. “Unless there is a change in requirements, life circumstances, or financial goals, we do not recommend or pursue a change to their financial plan.”
Geldenhuys believes that simplicity and consistency are key.
“We believe simplicity and consistency pay long-term dividends when it comes to a client’s behaviour and buy-in to stay committed to their financial plan.”
To stay updated on industry changes while maintaining a consistent approach, Geldenhuys attends several key annual events.
“One strategy that has paid dividends is balancing events focused on technical money matters with those that enhance my ability to navigate the human side of money.”
He recommends the Annual Financial Planning Institute Refresher and Convention, as well as the Humans Under Management Conference hosted by Andy Hart.
Reflecting on his journey, Geldenhuys emphasises that his career in financial services has been more than just a job; it’s a calling.
“Becoming a certified Financial Planner Professional in 2016 helped me acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience,” he says.
However, he views the designation not as the pinnacle but as a foundation.
“What has helped me more than anything is the realization that financial planning is not a job I do but a calling I have.”
Geldenhuys believes that the passion for making a difference in people’s lives fuels the pursuit of excellence.
“If you are as convinced as I am about the financial planning profession and the massive difference that we can make, then the effort of becoming the best version of you is really no effort at all, but something joyous to pursue.”
2024 FPI Professional’s Convention
The upcoming FPI awards ceremony and gala dinner will take place on the first evening of the two-day 2024 FPI Professional’s Convention. Themed “Cultivate Growth, Harvest Excellence”, this year’s convention takes place on 13 and 14 August at Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.
The event will take place virtually and face-to-face.
Costs:
- Face-to-face: R6 260 for FPI designated members and R7 490 for non-members.
- Virtual: R3 210 for FPI designated members and R4 037.50 for non-members.
All prices include VAT. Bulk booking discounts are available.
To purchase your ticket to attend the FPI awards ceremony gala dinner, email events@fpi.co.za or call 011 470 6000 or click here.
