A BIG Thank You !
To Our Valued Clients, Staff, Business Partners, and Friends
In November 2024, my team and I made the momentous decision to separate from the Wealth Associates Group and embark on a new and exciting journey through a management buyout of our substantial business. Today, as we reflect on what has been achieved, I feel both humbled and immensely grateful.
This letter is a sincere expression of thanks to the many people who contributed to making the transition to Wealth and Asset Advisors both a reality and a success. To our clients, staff, product providers, accountants, marketing advisors, compliance specialists, IT partners, and the many others who supported us along the way, this is a vote of thanks to all of you.
Our original business was established in October 1989 and, over more than three decades, has grown into an organisation serving:
- More than 2,000 clients
- Over R1.2 billion in investment assets under advice
- A dedicated team of 14 staff members
- More than 30 key product providers across investments, life assurance, short-term insurance, medical aid, and fiduciary services
- Two offices, with our main office in Bryanston and our satellite office in Kleinmond
The management buyout was not something that happened overnight. We spent six stressful months negotiating the finer details of the transaction and in getting our dormant Financial Services Provider fully operational, and then the past twelve months successfully transitioning our staff ,operations and clients across.
At the outset, the administrative challenge appeared daunting. However, through careful planning, teamwork, and a shared commitment to maintaining the highest standards of advice, service, administration, and care for our clients, we achieved far more than we imagined possible.
Over this period, we:
- Appointed a Board of Directors for Wealth and Asset Financial Services (Pty) Ltd
- Amended our Memorandum of Incorporation and shareholders’ agreements
- Established new banking facilities
- Appointed accountants and compliance officers
- Appointed Sabra and myself as Key Individuals and secured the necessary advice and intermediary service categories from the FSCA
- Replicated and enhanced our human resources function and successfully contracted with all 14 staff members
- Established new agreements with over 30 product providers
- Built a comprehensive IT ecosystem, including hardware, Microsoft systems, cybersecurity, and the various technologies required to support an efficient and modern business
- Created our new brand identity, inspired by the beauty, uniqueness, and resilience of the Protea Pincushion. Around this we have built our brand and marketing strategy
- Personally contacted each of our more than 2,000 clients, explained the reasons for the transition, and managed the transfer process. I am delighted to report a success rate of more than 98%
- Saw our efforts recognised when I was honoured by Citywire South Africa as one of the country’s Top 50 Financial Advisers
- Re-engaged with PortfolioMetrix, Methodical, and Nedgroup Core Investments to enhance and strengthen our investment offering
- Commissioned Ingrid Dave, a talented visually impaired young potter from Betty’s Bay, to create unique handcrafted client gifts incorporating our stylised logo
- Produced our first Wealth and Asset Advisors desk calendar, featuring photographs of indigenous fynbos from the mountains surrounding Kleinmond, all captured by Tanya Buxmann and myself
When written down, and in retrospect, the list appears impressive. Living through it was another matter entirely.
The past eighteen months have been among the busiest, most challenging, and most rewarding periods of our professional lives. Through every milestone, every obstacle, and every success, we were supported by remarkable people who believed in our vision and encouraged us to keep moving forward.
To our clients, thank you for your trust and confidence. You have walked this journey with us for many years, and your loyalty means more than words can express. You cannot comprehend how much we enjoy engaging with you and your families and businesses in pursuit of your unique life goals.
To our staff, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, flexibility, and commitment during a period of significant change. This achievement would simply not have been possible without you.
To our product providers and professional partners, thank you for your expertise, responsiveness, and unwavering support throughout the transition.
And to our friends and colleagues within the broader financial planning community, thank you for your encouragement, advice, and goodwill.
As we look to the future, we do so with excitement and optimism. Wealth and Asset Advisors has been built on strong foundations, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to providing exceptional advice and service. We are proud of what has been achieved together and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
From the entire Wealth and Asset team and from me personally, thank you for being part of this journey. We could never have done it without your support.
With sincere gratitude,
Jeremy Squier
Wealth and Asset Financial Services (Pty) Ltd
