Aligning Minds, Dreams & Efforts

*This piece is compiled by Richard Fleuriot, Managing Director & Head of Wealth Creation*

Today is a special day for us!

It gives me great satisfaction to finally welcome Branden and his team to the F&A table! Branden and I have been mates since we were knee high and share a deep sense of purpose when it comes to caring for and making a difference in people’s lives. Amongst other qualities, his sense of duty is one of the main reasons I asked Branden to join me on my journey of building a world class, professional advice practice.

Meet Branden

Head of our new Wealth Protection Department

Branden officially joins the business as head of Wealth Protection. Holding a BCom (Honours) from Stellenbosch, Branden joined Liberty in 2010 and later Discovery. Over the past decade and a bit, Branden has built a practice largely focussed on pursuing his passion of protecting financial setups. His area of expertise includes Medical Aid, Gap Cover, Short-term insurance, Life insurance and Estate planning. This intersects beautifully with my passion for Holistic Strategy Management, with a specific focus on Wealth Creation, balance sheet management, investment strategy and asset management. We knew from very early on in our conversations that our shared values, beliefs, and areas of expertise would allow us to elevate each other’s offerings and most importantly, make an even greater difference in our client’s lives.

Branden has built a solid business, and would no doubt be a success even without our alignment. Knowing how big our developed industry is, and how sloppy some advice (sales) teams carry themselves; we agreed that meaningful impact would best be achieved by teaming up. We both share this entrepreneurial DNA of healthy rebellion mixed with not accepting the status quo and the standard that just is. Our focus and mission are to pull the industry forward and take advice into the same professional light you might see a doctor or a surgeon.

Beyond academic and work success, Branden is a true family man and (recently) a father of three! I find myself learning much from him already, from his patience to his commitment, and most of all, feeding off of his seemingly endless energy and effervescence for life. Branden is an educated, gifted, purpose driven gentleman and I am excited he has agreed to partner with me on this journey!

Branden and I have spent the past two years building out the Wealth Protection department to allow us to provide a complete, holistic solution to all clients. While many of the Wealth Protection products are new products in our stable in their own right, they are not the offering we are taking to market.

We aim to provide world class Holistic Wealth Management. Imagine a team of committed, unbiased professionals looking at and optimising every single element of your setup. A team who, before even drilling down into structures and products, consider the benefits of optimising your budgets and your spending, tidying up your balance sheets, making sure the assets and liabilities you hold are as efficient as they could be. From there, making sure you are on the correct medical aid and gap cover structures for what you need - no more, no less, just right. Making sure your insurances - car, household, and life, are optimised against your needs, using the best solutions - no more, no less, just right. Imagine not wasting any unnecessary money on products and benefits you don’t need? All in the name of flowing more money into your assets or buying you more time, or more adventures! Now consider investment solutions overseen by the strongest teams in the industry, with access to a full range of local and direct offshore investing. All in all, a team of over 500 world class specialists, equipped with the strongest tools, making sure your entire dynamic, personalised financial structure is working efficiently - in unison, with no waste or missed opportunities. Imagine the time you will save; how much money you will save; how resilient and progressive your setup will be. Now multiply that through, over several months and years, and consider the compounding effects of these benefits! Imagine the subtlety and usefulness of a team that journeys through life with you, adapting and adjusting your plan at different life stages; looking after the current while preparing for the next.

Our hope and mission is that this level of care and support will ripple through our clients, and our industry, and over time pull us all forwards.

Branden Reineke

“From the moment Richard and I started brainstorming, we were saying the same thing. We both desire an industry that puts the client’s needs first; advice first, with product second. Each person we chat with is unique, and requires a unique solution, and for me it is essential that each client and their best interests are protected. In line with this, I had already spent time exploring starting my own business. But to the industry’s (and ultimately all clients’) expense, the barrier to entry is high, and as a result, competition isn’t as easily promoted as it might be. When Richard offered me the opportunity to join his business without essentially sacrificing my vision and values, I knew I had the security to align, and the backing to grow with him. Simply put, Richard offered to help protect my downside, and give my clients and I the opportunity for incredible upside. In truth, the vision and levels to which we can take our setup are now far beyond what either of us could achieve on our own.

Richard’s business also dovetails beautifully with my areas of focus, and when I look at our alignment of values, and our synergies, I get very excited for what is to come! An advice business targeting best practice and looking to change the industry is something I care deeply about.

Beyond these technical reasons, the greatest draw for me to align to Richard personally is how fiercely he cares for and protects those around him. This experience of him extends back to when we were kids... and even today! Rich has taken a genuine interest and invested in me, and my health - checking in and encouraging me on my journey as a husband, son and father. Richard and Candice have sat with my team and I, working hard to help us unlock our best selves. Even last year, I was so encouraged watching Richard get stuck in and help during the July riots. He is a fierce care bear, and he has reinforced something for me, which is how important it is to be a good human.”

The new, bigger and better in-house F&A team!

You can see and read more about them here.

Branden, Audrey, Rachelle, Candice & Richard

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM F&A

**1. A FRESH REVIEW DRIVE**
Both departments have been tasked with actively reviewing all existing client strategies over the next 6 months to make sure all setups are on point at our new standard.
**2. MEET & GREET EARLY NEXT YEAR**
An opportunity for everyone to meet the team and finally catch up once again post-covid.
**3. IMPROVED COMMENTARY & EDUCATIONAL PIECES**
A combination of economies of scale as well as me being freed up to write more (something I am targeting) will allow us to share more. We’ll be distributing through our mailing lists and social media channels so please sign up and like / subscribe.
4. REINVESTMENT
• New team offices allowing warm and confidential meetings
• World class systems and software allowing the team and all stakeholders to work with and access us from anywhere
• Further upskilling and training of existing team members
• Further additions of highly skilled and value matching team members
• Improved mailers, social media content, educational and value added material

Besides all the noise and drama this year has provided, we know Branden’s transition from Discovery to F&A has also been bumpy. I can assure you, this is not for lack of trying. It is rather a challenge the industry has on several technical fronts. From me personally, a big thank you to Branden’s team and clients for the patience you have shown throughout this journey. It will be a lot less bumpy very shortly, and from there, I would dare to say it will be rewarding for all! I look forward to meeting each of you.

Please drop a note to any of our team members should you need anything.