FINLAW - Key Persons
Candice van Dongen joined our team in May 2009 and left to live in Australia at the end of October 2017. She matriculated in 2003 and went on to complete a Diploma in Public Relations through Varsity College. . Candice began her full time working career in 2006, as part of the admin team for Commercial Finance Africa, which company later merged with Praesidium Finance in 2007. While with us she completed her B.Ed degree through UNISA. She was offered a teaching post in Australia - her "dream" job - so we could not stand in her way.
Candice will be sorely missed by staff and clients - she played a vital role in looking after our clients and indeed our own internal office accounts and database systems. We wish her well for the future.
Ian D'Arcy was one of our founder members who joined the team in early 1997 a few months after we launched the business. Ian and John Wallace studied together through the Securities Institute of London to obtain their International Capital Markets Qualifications [ICMQ]. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2000 and played a vital role in laying the foundation of the business we enjoy today. Ian left in 2004 to start his own business.
He and his wife Sandy left South Africa in 2010 to live in the United Kingdom. Ian recently joined the financial planning team of the law firm, Hart Brown Solicitors and currently serves as the Vice-President of the Godalming & District Chamber of Commerce.
John Wallace has been our Chairman since the business started in 1996. He qualified as an attorney in 1980 and specialised in Tax Law, Trusts and Estate Planning. John served his articles of clerkship at Venns Attorneys in Pietermaritzburg and went on to be appointed to manage the law practice for a period of close to 20 years. He retired as Chairman of that firm in 2006 and as CEO in 2007.
John has always had a keen interest in investments and studied for his qualifications in International Capital Markets through the London Securities Institute. He is a member of the South African Institute of Financial Markets.
Kirsten McCullough first joined us temporarily in June 2014, left to return to teaching and joins us again full time in January 2018. Kirsten began her working career in the Health and Beauty industry, qualified as a therapist, then spent time as an Au Pair in the UK before returning to complete her B.Ed degree through UNISA in 2013. She was introduced to the world of finance at Rob Mitchell Brokers, got an even bigger taste with us in 2014 and, following the birth of her first child, decided to join Finlaw full-time.
She looks after our local and offshore Trust & Company structures. She has an outgoing personality, strong administration skills and a disciplined, methodical approach to her work.
Marcel Sandells joined us on 1 April 2019. She spent several years as the Marketing Manager of Venns Attorneys and ran many Computer Training programs for staff there. Marcel has wonderful interpersonal skills and clearly enjoys being of service to clients. While initially unfamiliar with the practicalities of the investment world she now has plenty of experience in the processing and administration activities which are required to maintain client portfolios.
Marcel has noteworthy culinary and decorative skills - and often livens up the office atmosphere with surprise extra treats on special occasions.
Nolan Wallace "came aboard" in January 2015. Nolan, a Kearsney College Old Boy, spent 5 years travelling the globe working on mega yachts owned by the rich and famous. He has an enviable list of exotic destinations in his travel log. On his return he worked as a Videographer and Film Editor for Dark Continent Video Productions. Nolan's excellent computing aptitude and arithmetic acumen are well suited to his primary role as leader of our Global & Local Investment Research powered by Morningstar Direct.
Nolan has a B.Soc.Sc (Bus Information Systems & Psychology) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning. He was appointed to our Board of Directors on 1 January 2021.
Rowan Allpass joined our team in August 2010 and resigned three years later in August 2013 to further his career elsewhere in the financial services industry. He began his financial services career in 1988 with Standard Bank, then Wesbank, Sage Financial and finally Momentum Broker Division before joining Finlaw. In between Rowan travelled extensively overseas, managed a family business for a while and put his Marketing Diploma to good use for the Damelin Education Group in promoting the Institute of Bankers courses.
We wish him all the best for the future and express our sincere thanks for the contribution he has made to Finlaw and to the well-being of our clients while he journeyed with us.
Sandra D'Arcy joined our team in January 2000 and left with her husband, Ian, to live in the United Kingdom at the end of June 2010. Sandy was more than simply an employee - she was an integral part of the success of our firm through her leadership as an Executive Director and the example she set for the team with her incredible work ethic. In the realm of "Service Excellence" she was a tenacious leader dedicated to ensuring that matters were taken to their conclusion as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Simon Francis has been on our Finlaw Board since May 2000. He qualified as an attorney in 1976 and specialised in Commercial Law and Estate Planning. Simon was a partner of Tomlinson Francis & Co, a firm founded by his late father, Peter Francis. Simon joined Venn Nemeth & Hart in February 1989 as a partner and was appointed to the Board of Directors of that firm when it incorporated in May 1994. He retired as a Director in 2007 and remains a Consultant to their Board of Directors.
Simon also served for many years on the board of The Witness newspaper group. He is a regular rider in multi-stage MTB cycling events, having retired from many years of Comrades and other ultra-distance marathon runs.
Stacey Barron (b. Lancaster) joined our team in September 2010. After completing her BCom Law degree through Unisa, Stacey has a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning and has qualified as a Certified Financial Planner through the Financial Planning Institute [FPI] of which she is a member. Stacey was appointed to the Board of Directors of Finlaw on 1 January 2016.
Stacey gained valuable accounting experience while working for Sanjay Harrilall Consulting from 2008 to 2010. She is a registered Key Individual with the Financial Services Conduct Authority.