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ANOTHER TOP AWARD FOR BRENTHURST WEALTH
Head of Brenthurst’s Stellenbosch office, Sonia du Plessis, won the inaugural title of Top Financial Advisor in SA at the 2019 Intellidex Top Private Banks and Wealth Manager awards, presented in Sandton in June.
Furthermore, Brenthurst retained its ranking as one of the top five Boutique Wealth Managers in South Africa, for the fourth consecutive year.
“This is an exceptional achievement for Sonia and for our entire team. It is recognition for our commitment to deliver excellence to our clients and validation for our strategy of building long term relationships, beyond providing investment and financial planning advice,” says Brian Butchart, Managing Director.
“The Top Private Banks and Wealth Managers survey has established itself as SA’s leading assessment of the industry. This year’s survey marks the eighth anniversary of this review of one of the most competitive and successful industries in South Africa,” Butchart says.
“The research methodology was changed somewhat this year, with more emphasis placed on responses received from the clients of the participating companies. Some 5 800 clients of the participant companies completed the survey, which according to Intellidex, is of the bigger sample sizes of any research in financial services in SA. The fact that Brenthurst ranked well again, is testament to our team’s approach and service levels,” Butchart added.
In the review of the various companies’ approaches to solutions for the different archetypes identified for the award, Brenthurst also performed well. Brenthurst was ranked in 4th place for passive lump sum investors and in 3rd placed for young professionals.
In the people’s choice section, Brenthurst was place 4th, again very few points (0.26) behind NFB Private Wealth Management.
In addition to the client survey, each participating company is required to provide corporate information, elaborate on its solutions and offerings and the calibre of team members. After the survey closed a panel of judges from within the highly qualified and experienced Intellidex team selects the final winners.
Beyond the accolades for the participating companies, the levels of service by the industry overall is rather impressive. Asked to rate the clarity and coherence of the investment plan provided by their respective wealth managers, 39% of respondents viewed this as ‘excellent’ and 36% ‘very good’. The health of the industry is further confirmed by the fact that 64% of respondents indicated that they are mostly satisfied with their wealth manager’s offering.
Respondents are also satisfied with overall service levels and the majority indicated that they will recommend their wealth manager to friends and family.
HOW DO YOU RATE THE OVERALL SERVICE LEVELS YOU RECEIVE FROM YOUR WEALTH MANAGER?
HOW LIKELY WOULD YOU BE TO RECOMMEND PRIVATE BANKER TO FRIENDS OR FAMILY?
The majority of clients are likely to recommend their private banks to acquaintances, which is an indication of their strong satisfaction levels.
“Thank you to all clients who participated in this survey. We appreciate your loyalty and the confidence you have that we always strive to serve your best interests. We will continue to strive towards excellence, and I am confident that we will remain amongst the leading wealth management companies in SA for years to come.” Butchart says.
WINNER OF THE BRENTHURST LUCKY DRAW
The winner of the lucky draw for Brenthurst clients who participated in the survey is MR. BERNARD
MAGUIRE. He wins a weekend for two at a date of his choosing at the Polo Village on the luxury Val de
Vie Estate in Paarl. Thank you for your participation Mr. Maguire, it is highly valued, and we trust you
will enjoy the beauty of Paarl and surrounds.
SONIA DU PLESSIS -TOP FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN SA
Stellenbosch-based Brenthurst advisor Sonia du Plessis was announced as the Top Financial Advisor in
SA at the 2019 Intellidex Private Banks and Wealth Manager Awards, in recognition of individual excellence
in the wealth management sector.
According to Intellidex it was no easy task to select the winner as the feedback from respondents about their financial advisors was overwhelmingly positive. “It’s clear that clients of wealth managers have a deep appreciation of the valuable work their advisors do,” the company said.
“We are very proud of Sonia. She has been with Brenthurst for fifteen years and dedicated to deliver the best for her clients at all times. Well deserved,” says Magnus Heystek, co-founder and Director of Brenthurst.
Sonia’s clients had this to say in the survey questionnaire:
“Sonia is very competent and professional in looking after our financial interests, while at the same time taking a personal interest in our wellbeing as clients. We are not just a number.”
“Someone will have to be exceptional to be rated higher than Sonia.”
“To her the client comes first, before her own interests.”
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Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
