As the end of the year fast approaches, many of us are doing our best to tick off the last of what we set out to achieve in 2025. On a personal note, I am in the throes of a big transition myself. Our youngest finishes matric on Friday, marking the end of a happy 12 years living in the Natal Midlands. And, perhaps surprisingly, at least to those who were expecting a Cape Town chapter, we are heading back to Johannesburg.

Against this backdrop of personal change, it has been encouraging to see how strong things have been at Chartered this year.

From a business perspective, Chartered has had a very good year. We began 2025 with a number of leadership changes, including the appointment of Kim Potgieter as Managing Director of Chartered Wealth Solutions. She has led the business with much inspiration to the newer directors who stepped up at the same time, and this has been reflected in a year of strong, consistent growth. The core of what we do has not changed: helping clients align their money with the lives they want to live. What has deepened is the way our planners and operations teams work together to deliver that experience.

In April, we welcomed Victoria Reuvers as Managing Director of WealthStrat. She has brought extensive knowledge and experience in the asset management space, and is steadily building a strong, specialist team around her. Together with supportive markets this year, this has translated into pleasing growth in the WealthStrat business. The intention remains the same: a robust, independent investment process that supports the financial plans we build with you.

Chartered Tax had a slower start to the year following the staff reshuffle at the end of 2024, but Heather and Justine have taken firm control, and we are pleased to be in a much stronger position than a year ago. We are continuing to build this team to ensure that our service levels remain at the standard our clients expect from Chartered. If you have been affected by these changes, thank you for your patience and understanding – we do not take it lightly.

Kerryn and Dina continue to build Chartered Legacy, which remains an increasingly important part of our offering. Wills, estates, trusts and succession planning are often the “quiet” parts of a financial plan, but they matter enormously when life changes. We continue to be challenged by very slow turnaround times at both the Master’s Office and SARS, but all things considered, the business is in a strong position.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’ll continue to deepen the quality of our advice, strengthen Chartered Wealth Solutions, WealthStrat, Chartered Tax and Chartered Legacy, and ensure Chartered remains a business that’s here for you and your family for many years to come. Thank you for the trust you place in us; it remains a privilege for all of us at Chartered to walk this journey with you.

Warm regards
John