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Held in May, PSG Financial Services’ annual conference saw top financial services industry leaders, journalists and other notable speakers come together to engage and acknowledge the firm’s top advisers and offices. Against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical volatility and rapid technological shift, this year’s theme – Lead the change – delivered thought-provoking discussions on the need for change to proactively shape economic development in South Africa.
Laying the foundation for the conference, CEO Francois Gouws highlighted PSG’s market-leading position and the firm’s impressive bottom-line acceleration over the years. In this regard, PSG has achieved 10 years of sequential growth in its headline earnings per share even during challenging operating conditions. He said that PSG’s strong capital position allows it to not only embrace, but to lead change, by reinvesting back into the business via its people and technology.
At the centre of this success is PSG’s growing adviser force. Edward Gibbens, CE of Distribution explained that the group is committed to equipping its advisers with the tools and strategies to empower their success. While he confirmed that the group is investing in rapid digitisation to achieve this, he emphasised that human connection remains central to its advice process.
Gibbens also pointed to PSG’s new look and feel designed to reflect its positioning as a future-fit advice-led business, which was unveiled recently. The update includes a revamped logo and visual identity, as well as a new website, bringing a more intuitive and accessible digital experience for clients, advisers and partners.
A highlight of the conference was the awards ceremony which celebrated the firm’s top achievers. These included:
Wealth Manager of the Year:
Emile Janse Van Rensburg, Wellington Rose Street Financial Planning.
Wealth Planner of the Year:
Johan Du Plessis, Bloemfontein Preller Walk Financial Planning.
Insure Adviser of the Year:
Ryno Pretorius, PSG Insure Bloemfontein Pretty Gardens, took the accolade for the third consecutive year.
Wealth Office of the Year:
Pretoria East scooped this year’s award for the second time in a row, and the 14th time overall.
Employee Benefits Office of the Year:
PSG Wealth R21 Employee Benefits took the honours in this category for the 5th consecutive year, and the 14th time overall.
Practice Manager of the Year:
Cedri Schoeman, Somerset West.
Top Performer: Adviser Development Programme:
Nicaela De Jager won this prestigious award.
A new award was introduced this year: Insure office of the Year:
Well done to PSG De Anker for clinching the maiden title.
Distinguished local and international thinkers share insights on change
PSG believes in the power of quality debate and engagement in leading the change for a sustainable South Africa. The conference boasted a stellar lineup of local and international industry leaders and experts who discussed issues facing us both regionally and globally amid an increasingly volatile world.
South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago discussed the challenge of achieving price stability for a mid-sized emerging market in an unstable world. He said geopolitical conflict, rising sovereign debt level, global economic imbalances and financial market risks are the four biggest challenges the SARB is grappling with. Even though the global environment is more challenging than at any time in his career, Kganyago believes that if we get monetary policy right, we will be rewarded.
National Treasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse spoke about fiscal policy as a catalyst for growth and reform, specifically highlighting the importance of fiscal credibility. He explained that the National Treasury is laser-focused on restoring fiscal credibility as it is central to bringing down the cost of capital and supporting investment into the country. National Treasury has shifted its attention to helping the presidency in dealing with key structural reforms in logistics and energy that will support growth.
Closing the conference, motorsport legend, former team principal for Haas Formula 1 team, and bestselling author of “Surviving to Drive” and “Unfiltered”, Guenther Steiner shared candid stories from the heart of Formula 1. Interviewed by veteran broadcaster and F1 enthusiast, Sasha Martinengo, Steiner gave an unfiltered look at leadership and culture through the lens of key moments in his career.
Affiliates of the PSG Financial Services Group, a licensed controlling company, are authorised financial services providers. www.psg.co.za
