About – Paul Baker

About Me

I have been in the personal finance industry since 2007 when I started as an assistant to a CFP® practitioner in Durban, South Africa. I had studied corporate and personal finance as well as economics as part of my Commerce degree, but putting the knowledge into practice was a great learning experience.

During my time as an assistant, and then an advisor under supervision, I realised that financial planning was not about selling policies, but rather about understanding clients’ needs and aspirations and providing solutions to best suit those needs.

I knew that in order to give the best advice, I needed to study further and so undertook various industry-specific courses before completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning which enabled me to become a CFP® professional through the FPI of SA.

After moving to the UAE in 2016, I knew that I needed to extend my knowledge further and in 2021 completed the Investment Advice Diploma through the CISI in the UK. This allowed me to transfer my South African CFP® designation to the CISI and since November 2021 I am a UK qualified CFP™ professional as well.

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Qualifications

I currently hold the following qualifications and designations:

Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Finance, Economics and Marketing) – University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (SA)
Certificate in Wealth Management – University of Stellenbosch (SA)
Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning – University of Free State (SA)
Certified Financial Planner® Professional – FPI (SA)
Investment Advice Diploma – CISI (UK)
Certified Financial Planner™ Professional – CISI (UK)

My qualifications have given me good insights into South African tax and I am a keen follower of ongoing changes in taxation and how it affects my clients around the world.

Client Testimonials

Ross

I had just turned 40 and was looking for investment advice for my future retirement plans as well as a safety net for my wife should something happen to me. Paul came highly recommended by a friend and I can definitely say I was not disappointed. He was honest with his review of my situation and gave me fantastic investment advice. I feel that my future plans are safe in his capable hands.

Ross

Sian

Paul has provided me with invaluable advice and guidance with my offshore accounts and investments.
He makes a very daunting process seem easy – everything was explained in detail and Paul took the time to listen to all of my concerns, all while setting up investments that would be best suited to myself and my family’s needs.

Paul is the only person I trust to handle my investments – he sends me regular updates and he always makes time for a chat and to answer any questions I may have. He is the epitome of integrity and professionalism and I’m SO glad to have him in my corner!

Sian Rubelli

Ottilia

I have a few words to describe my experience of Paul. Professional, Knowledgeable, Patient and Kind. From the get-go I breathed a sigh of relief. Here was a person that actually knew what he was talking about and knew he had to tailor the info to someone who literally doesn’t have a clue about the market. Not only that, meetings were always highly informative and prepped and paced in a way that gave me time to digest the information and ask questions… lots of questions. Paul is a genuine human being with a true passion for what he does and a compassion and kindness for his clients which is refreshing!

Ottilia

Dave

Paul has been advising me since 2018, and has been an absolute lifeline in making better choices in how to both manage my money, and in investing. Paul takes the fear out of investing and budgeting and through his insights and guidance, I am confidently building a secure financial future for myself. Would I recommend Paul? Absolutely. 100%. It will be one of the better financial decisions you make.

Dave

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