Our Private Wealth Team
LEADERSHIP
Executives & Management Team
Graydon Morris CFP®
Managing Director & Wealth Manager
Graydon Morris CFP®
Managing Director & Wealth Manager
Graydon has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Economics
and Finance, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional.
With experience as Senior Director at Alexander Forbes and later,
Fincorp, Graydon has gained valuable retirement fund consulting
and employee benefits experience.
Graydon brings a disciplined and considered investment view to his
clients and is a regular contributor to the financial press on financial
planning matters and was Chairman of the well-known Sunday
Times Money Club.
A keen sports enthusiast, Graydon represented his country in the SA
Hockey Squad. When not exercising and close to nature, Graydon
enjoys reading autobiographies of exceptional leaders and follows
the world of investments and business.
Lesley Hohne CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
Lesley Hohne CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
Lesley has a Bachelor of Social Science degree majoring in
Economics and Industrial Psychology from UCT and is a Fellow of
the Institute of Life and Pension Advisors (FPI) and a CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. Lesley started her financial
planning career with Old Mutual, following which was a Director of
Alexander Forbes Financial Planning Consultants. In 2002, Lesley
established Precept Wealth Solutions from which Sterling Private
Wealth evolved.
Lesley uses her keen interest in psychology to help her clients
navigate their financial needs and understand their investment
thinking.
Lesley recharges by spending time in the bush, reading and cooking
for family and friends. Inspired by brilliant minds like Warren Buffet,
Lesley draws inspiration from those with courage, a sense of
selflessness and those who practice forgiveness.
Janet Hugo CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
Janet Hugo CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
Janet is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and
holds post graduate Higher Diplomas from the University of the
Orange Free State in Investment Management and Estate Planning.
As a previous director of Hugo Capital, Janet has extensive wealth
management experience. With a passion for growth and knowledge,
Janet invests time in taking the complexity of financial services and
investments and translating these into understandable, practical
application for her clients.
Building and retaining wealth for clients is what drives Janet and as
such, she is always pursuing the best ways to provide independent
holistic financial advice for clients.
In 2006 Janet started and ran the Sunday Times Wealth Forum
and later, the Finance Week Wealth Forum, involving a series of
published articles, media exposure and public presentations. As a
previous Chairperson of the Investment Committee of the Financial
Planning Institute of South Africa since 2010, she has been active in
promoting professionalism in the financial advisory industry. In 2017,
Janet was awarded the prestigious award of runner-up in the FPI’s
Financial Planner of the Year competition. Being in nature, whether
in the bush or at the beach, is how Janet relaxes.
Russell Gibson CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
Russell Gibson CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
Russell was educated at Maritzburg College and has a Bachelor of
Accounting degree through UNISA majoring in accountancy, tax and
auditing. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional as
well as having completed the Australian Financial Planning Diploma.
Russell completed his articles at BDO Spencer Steward, a worldwide
firm of Chartered Accountants and Auditors.
Russell’s main area of expertise is in the managing and structuring of
high-net-worth individual client portfolios in both the retirement and
discretionary arena where he has been successful in building solid
long-term client relationships.
Russell is driven by honesty and integrity and inspired by the tenacity
and commitment shown by professional sportsmen and women. As
a lover of the outdoors, Russell enjoys padel, moutain biking and
golf.
James Guimaraens CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
James Guimaraens CFP®
Director & Wealth Manager
James has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, is a CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and a specialist in both Estate
Planning and Portfolio Management.
James started his financial services career with Fidelity Asset
Management in the UK. On his return to South Africa, he joined M
Cubed Capital before joining Alexander Forbes Financial Planning
Consultants, where he consulted to corporate clients and provided
private wealth management advice to a sizeable client base.
James was a member of the FPC Investment Committee, with
offshore portfolios being his specific responsibility.
James’ clients enjoy his empathetic nature and ability to make the
complex world of wealth and investing easy to understand. As such,
James was a regular contributor to the Alexander Forbes/Sunday
Times Moneyclub and more recently, The Sterling Times. James is
passionate about his family and his hobby, restoring and maintaining
classic Jaguar motor cars.
Kaylene Morris CA(SA)
Director & Head of Finance
Kaylene Morris CA(SA)
Director & Head of Finance
Kaylene qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1997 and served Articles at Deloitte & Touche. Following her Articles, she worked as a Manager in the Specialist Financial Institutions Team at Deloitte & Touche, prior to joining Gensec in their Corporate Finance department in 1999. She left Gensec in 2003 and joined Sterling Private Wealth shortly thereafter to head up the Finance department.
Kaylene is qualified as a JSE sponsor and has a wealth of experience in company valuation, deal-making and financial modelling.
Kaylene spends her time away from work hiking, playing padel, is an aspiring Bridge player and enjoying family time.
Tian Nienaber CA(SA)
Operations Director & Wealth Manager
Tian Nienaber CA(SA)
Operations Director & Wealth Manager
Tian holds Bachelor of Accounting and Honours degrees from the University of Free State, law centered qualifications from UNISA and recently registered as a General Tax Practitioner with SAIT. His professional career commenced in 2017 where he completed his Articles at PwC South Africa in 2018. Tian broadened his career and aspirations at PwC in Sweden, in the Assurance and Risk Advisory divisions. In 2021, he returned to South Africa as Senior Manager at PwC for the South Market Area, under the Risk and Quality umbrella of the Assurance practice.
In 2022 Tian completed his Postgraduate Studies in Financial Planning, and transitioned into a client facing role at PwC as Senior Manager in the Assurance practice. Tian joined Sterling Private Wealth as Operations Director and uses his wealth of knowledge gained from dealing with various clients listed on the JSE, NASDAQ and Stockholm Stock Exchange, as well as his managerial skills and interest in people, to guide the day-to-day activities of the group.
Tian enjoys exploring the world by travelling and using his musical talent of playing piano and violin for orchestras to distract him from the busy financial world.
Michelle Thompson
Operations Manager
Michelle Thompson
Operations Manager
Michelle has a Bachelor of Economic Sciences with Honours degree, majoring in Business Management, from the University of Stellenbosch. She began her professional career in London, working in the Corporate and Investment Banking divisions of various international investment banks including JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank. Upon returning to South Africa, Michelle joined Standard Bank Group Securities, where she was responsible for managing their Corporate Access services.
In 2017, Michelle and her family relocated to Mauritius, where she worked as Business Operations Manager at SIP Mauritius – a niche fund management company overseeing offshore investments for South African clients. Michelle’s roots brought her home again and she joined Sterling Private Wealth in 2025 as Operations Manager. She thrives on efficiency, attention to detail and ‘getting things done’, thereby ensuring the day to day running of the business.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys keeping active, spending time at home and having quality time with her family and friends, believing that laughter is food for the soul.
Wealth Managers
Ari Blumenfield CFP®
Associate Director
Ari Blumenfield CFP®
Associate Director
Ari holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the
University of Johannesburg, complemented by a Postgraduate
Diploma in Financial Planning from Stellenbosch Business School.
He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® through the Financial
Planning Institute of South Africa. Before assuming the role of
Wealth Manager at Sterling Private Wealth, Ari served as a
Paraplanner in 2022. His primary area of expertise revolves around
retirement and estate planning and the formulation and execution
of comprehensive, long-term financial strategies.
Ari believes that the successful implementation of sustainable
wealth management plans necessitates robust collaboration with
clients to understand their unique lifestyles, financial prerequisites,
and objectives. By educating clients, staying abreast of the latest
financial trends, and sidestepping transient distractions, he can
artfully craft effective investment portfolios.
In alignment with his holistic approach to financial well-being, Ari
subscribes to an active lifestyle to achieve a harmonious work-life
balance, which is evident in his participation in various physical
activities, including golf and gym workouts, as well as simpler joys
such as relishing a picturesque sunset with a glass of wine.
Teresa Heydenrych CFP®
.
Teresa graduated in 2003 with a National Diploma in Financial
Markets & Instruments and holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in
Financial Markets from Stellenbosch Business School (2012). With
over 25 years in the financial industry, she began her career at Sanlam,
where she developed a strong foundation in client service. She went
on to represent several asset management firms as a consultant,
introducing innovative investment solutions to wealth managers.
In 2020, following a series of mergers, Teresa and her clients joined
Sterling Private Wealth. She is committed to helping clients achieve
their financial goals in a professional but personal manner, with
integrity and building long-term relationships. She aims to present
complex concepts in simple terms.
Outside of work, Teresa enjoys traveling, camping, reading, and
supporting her family’s sporting activities.
Lisa Kaplan CFP®
Associate Director
Lisa Kaplan CFP®
Associate Director
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Financial
Accounting. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional
and a member of the Financial Planning Institute. In addition, she
holds the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement
(CIPM®) designation awarded by the CFA Institute.
Prior to joining Sterling Private Wealth, Lisa began her career at
Investec Private Bank and later served as a Financial Advisor at an
independent wealth management firm, which was subsequently
acquired by PSG Wealth. Lisa is committed to building trusted, longterm
partnerships with her clients, delivering strategic financial
guidance that fosters clarity, confidence, and enduring financial
success. Lisa is driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful
difference in her clients’ financial lives.
Outside of her professional life, Lisa enjoys staying active, spending
time outdoors, exploring her love of cooking, and spending quality
time with family and friends.
Greg Knowlden CFP®
.
Greg has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Financial Planning, holds
the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, and earned his
Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning specialising
in investments.
Greg started his career at the Standard Bank Financial Consultancy
Academy in 2008 where he later became an Advisor. He then
embarked on gaining broader industry knowledge through
successful distribution and servicing roles with Old Mutual and
Investec Asset Management. Once fully equipped, Greg re-joined
the advisory space at a niche wealth management business, and
then in 2019 with Sterling Private Wealth.
Greg takes much pride in finding the best available market offerings
for his clients. He enjoys golf, tennis, any discipline of fishing, and
friends and family.
Paraplanners
Luke Holland
Luke holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Law, as well as an Honours degree in Financial Economics. He is currently completing his Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning, with the goal of attaining the Certified Financial Planner® designation.
With a foundation rooted in both financial theory and practical application, Luke is committed to delivering meaningful, long-term outcomes for clients. In his role as a Paraplanner at Sterling Private Wealth, he plays an integral part in developing and refining comprehensive financial strategies that align with each client’s personal goals and evolving needs. Luke believes that exceptional wealth management is built on trust, transparency, and a deep understanding of the individual. He places strong emphasis on building lasting client relationships and ensuring that every plan reflects both financial aspirations and personal values. Accuracy, accountability, and execution are central to his work ethic, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and the client always comes first.
Outside of work, Luke remains active in sport and still plays competitive cricket. He also enjoys golf, running, and is a passionate Liverpool Football Club supporter. Time spent with family and trips to the bush are especially important to him, both are key to refreshing his soul and keeping him grounded.
Bruce Spence
Bruce holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management from the University of Cape Town, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Investment Management from the University of Stellenbosch. He is currently pursuing his Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning through Milpark Education, with the goal of becoming a Certified Financial Planner®.
Bruce joined Sterling Private Wealth in early 2025 as a Paraplanner. Prior to this, he gained experience in the Private Equity space with Standish Management and was involved in the early-stage start-up arena. Integrity, humility and trust are what ground him in both his personal and professional life. He aims to build a career based on trustworthy and enduring relationships with both clients and colleagues. He is driven by the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on a client’s life.
Bruce is open-minded and solutions focused, always looking to improve outcomes for clients and enhance the level of service he provides. Outside of work, you’ll find him on the golf course, padel court or out fishing.
Cullen Wright
Cullen has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Stellenbosch, majoring in Investment and Financial Management, as well as passing his CFA Level 1 from the CFA Institute. He is on the journey to do his Certified Financial Planner® and become a fully qualified wealth manager. Cullen began his career in finance at Bespoke Financial Management, a boutique financial services firm, and from there moved to Sterling Private Wealth, where the opportunities to gain knowledge and grow as a young professional are endless.
Cullen’s superpower is his ability to interact, connect with and understand people on a deep level, which translates well into the working environment.
He loves to travel which contributed to him working overseas in the super yacht industry prior to committing to his career in finance. He is also an avid sports lover, playing a high level of sports at school and enjoys keeping fit and staying active. Other hobbies include socializing with friends and producing music.
Key Operational Team
Lindie da Silva
Sonja Fagrew
Nazerah Hendricks
Ina Hill
Cherozaan Jeftha
Gladys Mbambo
Alida Naude