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FINANCIAL PLANNERS OF THE YEAR Each year, at its annual convention, the Financial Planning Institute (FPI), the professional body of financial planners in South Africa, announces its Financial Planner of the Year from among its members, holders of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) accreditation. This is a supreme accolade for these dedicated men and women, who can be proud to be recognised as the top practitioners in their profession. The competition is a gruelling one, and it includes an on-site visit by the judges to the planner’s practice. By Martin Hesse
HESTER VAN DER MERWE CFP
HARDI SWART CFP
Hester van der Merwe is the current Financial Planner of the Year, having won the title in 2020. She will hand over the title to the next Financial Planner of the Year at the FPI’s annual convention this month. She has a law degree from the University of Pretoria, the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State, and a Certificate in Advanced Trust Law from the University of Pretoria. Hester is a financial planner at Ultima Financial Planners in Pretoria.
Hardi won the Financial Planner of the Year title in 2019. He has a BCom from the University of Stellenbosch, an International Certificate in Entrepreneurship, Business Consulting and Mentoring from Syracuse University, and holds the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of Stellenbosch. Hardi is managing director of Autus Private Clients, a family wealth and investment advisory firm in Paarl, Western Cape.
