Meet the Team - Absolut Wealth Management

JOANNE BAYNHAM

Wealth Manager

Joanne is a Wealth Manager at Absolut Wealth Management and serves as an Investment Strategist at Absolut Asset Management. Her expertise is further recognized through her consulting role with Apollo Multi Asset Management, a leading global discretionary fund manager based in the UK, and as a moderator for investment panels at Asset TV in South Africa. These complementary positions enable Joanne to deliver highly tailored investment solutions to Absolut Wealth clients and to drive the strategic direction of model portfolios at Absolut Asset Management. Joanne brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at Sterling Wealth and, previously, as the founder, investment strategist, and portfolio manager at MitonOptimal-a boutique discretionary manager with offices in Guernsey, the UK, and South Africa-where she led for over two decades. She is both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst, proudly counted among the earliest female CFAs in South Africa. Joanne holds a BCom and Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Cape Town. Her unique blend of strategic insight, deep industry experience, and pioneering credentials positions Joanne as a leader in delivering holistic, client-centric wealth management and investment strategies.

CANDICE VERRYDT

Practice Manager

Candice has over 16 years’ experience in Accounting and Finance, specializing in Financial Management, Administration & Operations. Her solution-oriented approach to her management style is complemented by her drive and inter-personal communication skills, earning her commendations throughout her career.

Candice joined the Absolut Wealth Management team as Practice Manager in March 2022 and is responsible for the overall financial and facilities management for the Absolut Group.

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Email: info@absolutwm.co.za

MICHAEL WESTCOTT

CEO / Director

Michael holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State and an International Capital Markets Qualification from the London Securities Institute. He is a practicing CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® and a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa. Michael started his career in the Financial Services Industry working for a Boutique Stock Broking Firm and Asset Management Company in 1998. The Appleton Group bought out this Firm and subsequently listed to become a Private Client Asset Management, Stock Broking and Financial Advisory Company, where he held the position of Investment Manager, responsible for private client funds. In mid 2002 Appleton was sold to the PSG Group and in early 2003 Michael joined the Liberty Life Management Academy as an Agency Manager. In January 2004 Michael founded Absolut Wealth Management.

LUCKY KRITZAS

Wealth Manager / Director

Emmanuel holds a post graduate diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State and also qualified as a stockbroker in 1987. He is a practicing CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a member of The Financial Planning Institute of South Africa. Emmanuel started his career in banking in 1973 and was appointed as Branch Manager of Trust Bank Stock Exchange in 1978. In 1979 he joined the stock broking community where he was employed as a Share Trader on the floor of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange by various firms. In 1988 he co-founded Irish & Company Inc. He left the stock exchange in 1992 and joined a Liberty Life Franchise called Business Benefits (Pty) Ltd where he focused on Employee Benefits and Personal Financial Planning. During 1998, Emmanuel and two work colleagues resigned from Business Benefits and Started Frontier Financial Services (Pty) Ltd. A new company was registered in 2008 by the name of Frontier Financial Planning Services (Pty) Ltd. March 2017 marked the merging of Frontier Financial Planning Services and Absolut Wealth Management (Pty) Ltd.

FRANS WESSELS

Compliance / Forex

Frans joined Absolut Wealth Management in 2019, and manages the Forex trading and Compliance functions. He also advises on legal and HR matters.

He holds legal degrees from the University of Johannesburg and UNISA, a post graduate diploma in labour law and a HR management diploma.

He is registered with the South African Board of Personnel Practise as a Chartered HR Practitioner.

Previously, he spent 26 years in the corporate world, including 10 years at Edcon as HR Director of a subsidiary company, and 13 years at a French international bank, Credit Agricole CIB, as HR Executive for South Africa.

Prior to joining Absolut Wealth Management, he ran his own labour law practise, consulting to corporates and individuals on labour law and HR management.

BALA NAIDOO

Wealth Manager

Bala Naidoo is a Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA in Finance, jointly awarded by the University of Manchester (UK) and University of Bangor. His thesis focussed on the impact of the move from defined benefits to defined contributions in the retirement industry.

He is a practicing CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa, having obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State.

Bala qualified as a Chartered Accountant after having served Articles with Deloitte and Touche. He held various Senior Management positions in the Corporate Sector until 1997.
From 1998 until 2001, Bala provided financial advice through Phambili Financial Services.

Since 2002, Bala has headed up Futuristic Financial Services, until recently merging his practice with that of Absolut Wealth Management (Pty) Ltd.

CORMAC MCCREESH

Tax

Entrepreneurial financial executive with broad experience in all aspects of M&A and transaction advisory as well as a variety of accounting and taxation related services. Direct experience with financial consulting, venture capital, private equity and Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Interested in early-stage start-ups as well as companies “on the bubble.” Specialties: Transaction advisory, capital raising, mergers and acquisition, stock exchange listing and preparation for listing as well as start-up and/or early-stage businesses needing a strong financial hand, systems, training and recruitment. Member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (“SAICA”).

Prior to setting up Cormac McCreesh & Associates, Cormac was a partner in the Deloitte Corporate Finance division in Johannesburg, responsible for Corporate Finance activities undertaken by the firm in Southern Africa. Activities included mergers and acquisition advisory work, general corporate advisory and capital raising, and transaction services, encompassing due diligence reviews, valuation services, enterprise reviews and regulatory and Stock Exchange compliance advice. He led many assignments for international and local groups in all the categories of work listed above within Southern Africa.

HEINRICK KLOKOW

Estates and Trusts

Heinrick is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. In early 2004, he joined an international financial institution, dealing exclusively with deceased estates, wills, trusts and estate planning. His 13 years of experience in his field of expertise gives him great insight into the practical, legal and tax consequences when structuring and administering trusts, wills and estates.

He was involved in the development of an in-house deceased estate administration software program, as well as a will management software program. He regularly presents learning sessions to financial advisors and seminars to clients. He has written articles for magazines such as The Property Investor on subjects related to his fields of expertise.

RICHARD HARRIS

Investment Manager

Richard Harris is a CFA Charter Holder and a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch with majors in Financial planning and Investments. Richard has been involved in financial markets for almost 10 years, with a predominant focus on Equities and derivative products and has managed local multi-strategy funds. Richard has a vast understanding of financial instruments and client relationships along with macro and microeconomic factors that impact markets. He recently joined the Absolut team as an Investment Manager.

RYAN FIELD

Wealth Manager

Ryan holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State, as well as other qualifications in financial markets, instruments and wealth management. He is a practicing CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa.

Ryan started his career in the Financial Services Industry at The Hereford Group in 2009, offering holistic financial planning and graduating to a Senior Financial Planner during his 7-year tenure. He then moved to Warwick Wealth as a Wealth Specialist in 2016. Here, he specialised in investment and retirement planning, advising high net-worth clients on a variety of investments, both local and offshore, including personal share portfolios.

In April 2018, Ryan joined the Absolut Wealth Management team as an Independent Financial Advisor.

REINETTE VENTER

Wealth Manager

Reinette holds a B.Econ degree from the University of Stellenbosch. She is a registered Tax Practitioner and a member of the SAIT. She started her career in the Insurance and Investment Industry in 1984 at Sanlam Head Office, Bellville, where she offered training to Sanlam Financial Advisors in their risk, retirement and investment products, which included the “revolutionary new unit trust investment vehicle”. She moved to Johannesburg and worked at Sanlam Johannesburg FA as a Financial Advisor. From there, she established a short-term insurance brokerage and sold her shares to her partner after 4 years.

In 1998, she was a founding member and leader in setting up an IFA which operated as a Sole Proprietorship. Bear Vision Investment Services (Pty) Ltd was established in 2001 as a member of FG Investment Partners (Pty) Ltd. She filled the position of internal compliance officer and Financial Advisor. She developed and implemented compliance and administration policies and systems and created investment and retirement solutions for high-net-worth individuals. In 2019, after 34 years in the Wealth Management Industry, she decided it was time for a sabbatical and she resigned as Director of the Company. She returned to join Absolut Wealth Management as Financial Advisor in February 2021.

NIESHAM RAMBOROSA

Wealth Manager

Niesham holds a National Certificate in Wealth Management obtained in 2014 and has been in the industry for over 10 years. He started his career at Discovery focusing on Risk, Investment and Medical Aid planning. Financial planning being a passion of his, whilst at Discovery, he worked towards getting all the necessary qualifications required to be a Financial Planner.

Since leaving Discovery in 2012, his focus changed to holistic financial planning as an Independent Financial Planner, specialising in Risk cover, Investment planning (both local and offshore), Medical Aid, Estate Planning and Short-Term Insurance, and worked with the most prominent providers in the industry.

Niesham joined the Absolut Wealth Management team as an Independent Financial Planner on 1st April 2021 to continue his passion in holistic financial planning.

MICHELLE DE BEER

Admin Team Leader

Michelle is an accomplished administrative professional with 14+ years of experience and holds a Certificate in Financial Planning. Michelle has an excellent track record at Absolut Wealth Management, where she has risen through the ranks to become the Admin Team Leader. Michelle’s expertise in product knowledge and administration sets her apart. She is known for her commitment to excellence, her forward-thinking approach, and her ability to train and mentor others. She is a true leader in the field of administration.

MIENTJIE TERBLANCHE

Senior Paraplanner

Mientjie is an experienced financial professional with a career spanning nearly three decades in the financial planning industry. Currently serving as a Senior Paraplanner at Absolut Wealth Management, bringing expertise, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. Mientjie holds a postgraduate diploma in Financial Planning from Milpark and proudly carries the designation of a Certified Financial Planner, with membership in the esteemed Financial Planning Institute of South Africa.

Absolut Wealth Management Team

MICHAEL WESTCOTT

LUCKY KRITZAS

RICHARD HARRIS

CANDICE VERRYDT

FRANS WESSELS

JOANNE BAYNHAM

BALA NAIDOO

CORMAC MCCREESH

HEINRICK KLOKOW

RYAN FIELD

REINETTE VENTER

NIESHAM RAMBOROSA

MIENTJIE TERBLANCHE

MICHELLE DE BEER