Craig Pheiffer joins Sasfin Wealth as Chief Investment Strategist

Pheiffer left Sasfin 15 years ago to diversify his experience in the industry after a long and happy association with the company. “I have always viewed Sasfin with great respect, and I’m excited to be returning to an even bigger company than it was before, but with the same entrepreneurial flair intact. Investing is about the long-term, but you still need to be agile and forward-thinking to lead the market, and not simply follow it,” says Pheiffer.

“Around two-thirds of my near 32-year working career has been in the Wealth space helping high net worth clients protect and grow their investments. Over that time, markets have ebbed and flowed, and we’ve had a number of market crises to negotiate. The key principle espoused to clients has always been not to panic and to stay invested. Those that have stayed the course have always won out in the long term.”

Pheiffer joins a host of industry names within Sasfin, which has continued to grow and morph into a strong investment franchise while still maintaining its entrepreneurial spirit. Winning a cabinet of awards in successive years, including the Raging Bulls for a fourth time in 2021, and Morningstars and Intellidex Awards in the last three years. The company has over R110bn in AUM and AUA combined and have just surpassed the R20bn mark within Sasfin Asset Managers.

“I look forward to having Craig on the Sasfin team and I have no doubt he is going to add a great deal of value to our business. He brings with him a wealth of experience and depth of knowledge that will not only benefit our clients but also provide invaluable support in continuing to grow our business,” explains Flynn Robson, Head of Portfolio Management and Stockbroking at Sasfin Wealth. 

“I have seen a diversity of perspectives since I left and believe my insights gathered over this time can help the business go from strength to strength. My investment approach has always been about buying good quality shares and holding them for the long term. Market fads come and go, and you still need to regularly review even your 'bluest of blue-chip' company holdings, but always keep the long term in mind,” he adds.

This year the global markets face the onset of monetary policy tightening and the potential withdrawal of fiscal support by governments. “The returns last year were fantastic across the board as markets thrived on a diet of easy policy “junk food”. As central banks cut back on asset-buying programmes and start raising interest rates, the markets will need to adjust to a healthier diet. The momentum that dragged everything up will give way to more selected successes. Finding those successes will be the opportunity and avoiding the pitfalls will be the challenge,” Pheiffer concludes.