“In the relatively short space of 10 years, SPI has grown from a small stockbroking firm within the Sanlam Group to a fully-fledged international wealth manager. Over the last few years we have expanded our services to include market leading discretionary portfolio management, wealth management, fiduciary and tax, offshore services, as well as art advisory services,” says Sanlam Private Investments CEO Daniël Kriel.

In what is arguably the only comprehensive survey of the wealth management industry in South Africa, SPI had the highest overall score out of a broad range of wealth managers. Out of a possible 25 points, SPI scored 20.3 – the company’s closest competitor followed with 19.5.

Over 85% of SPI’s clients gave the company a strong rating on overall service levels, with 70% believing they receive value for money.

“We are delighted that the company has been recognised for the range of services it offers, tailor-made solutions, international presence and ability to draw upon SPI and Sanlam’s collective expertise, providing our clients with a truly client focussed, bespoke wealth management service,” says Kriel.

He says SPI’s success is the result of a focused strategy first implemented some eight years ago, with strong emphasis on investment performance, growing the business, enhancing efficiencies in the business, building the brand, and SPI’s people and values.

“We have remained true to this client-centric strategy over the last eight years, and it has been a major reason for the company’s success.”

Says Stuart Theobald, chairman of leading research house Intellidex, which conducted the survey: “Congratulations to Sanlam Private Investments on this remarkable achievement. The judges were impressed by SPI’s detailed solutions for the complex financial needs of clients. SPI showed an excellent ability to address the needs of a wide variety of clients, from retirees to the globally wealthy.”