At the FISA Annual General Meeting held on 15 April 2026, the Chairperson, Mr Chris Murphy, presented the Council’s Report for 2025, highlighting key developments, strategic priorities, and progress across the fiduciary sector.
Introduction
2025 has been a year of transition, consolidation and strategic progress for the Institute. Council has remained resolute in its mandate to professionalise the fiduciary industry and to ensure that the highest standards of competence, ethics and accountability are upheld. Against a backdrop of continued pressure on key public institutions, FISA has strengthened its role as both an advocate for its members and a standard-bearer for the profession. Importantly, this has been a year in which the Institute has invested deliberately in systems, governance and member value—positioning FISA not only for current relevance, but for future resilience.
Governance and Council
Council has continued to discharge its responsibilities with diligence and independence. Council elections, as recorded in the 2025 AGM minutes, ensured appropriate renewal and continuity in leadership. The Institute remains committed to strong governance, recognising that credibility in the fiduciary space begins with accountability at Council level.
I want to thank the FISA council for their unwavering support to the task, as well as the support that has been given to me as chairperson and to Jan du Plessis and Dorita Dempers as the new full-time employees of the board.
Membership
Membership decreased modestly from 870 at the beginning of 2025 to 847 at year-end. While this reflects natural attrition within the industry, it also underscores the need for continued relevance and engagement. Council has responded through targeted initiatives, including a focused LinkedIn campaign aimed at attracting the next generation of fiduciary professionals. Our position remains unchanged: FISA membership is not optional for those who seek to practise at the highest professional standard.
Member Value and Professional Development
A significant milestone was achieved with the automation of CPD points, implemented on 20 March 2026. This development enhances both administrative efficiency and member experience, ensuring that professional development is seamlessly recorded and recognised. In parallel, access to premium content—including court cases and Master’s Office issue reporting—has been secured behind the member login environment, reinforcing the tangible value of membership.
Digital Innovation and Systems
2025 marked a decisive shift towards digital enablement. The implementation of SnapScan, Microsoft OneDrive for Council, and the three-year partnership with Cvent collectively modernise the Institute’s operational capability. Hybrid engagement is now firmly embedded, ensuring that members across all regions have equitable access to meetings, content and participation. There is currently Beta testing of a more automated capturing method of CPD points for members, as well as more exclusive offerings on court cases and CPD slides on the website, after the membership login.
Media, Marketing and Brand Positioning
FISA continues to maintain a strong and credible media presence. Through consistent engagement, the Institute remains the primary source of fiduciary commentary in South Africa. The launch of a YouTube channel, expansion into LinkedIn campaigns, and planned radio and podcast initiatives reflect a deliberate shift towards multi-platform engagement. These efforts are not merely promotion; they are central to positioning fiduciary practitioners as trusted custodians of wealth and legacy.
Publications and Industry Contribution
The publication of the Fiduciary Services Handbook in 2025 represents a meaningful contribution to the profession. Council encourages continued intellectual participation from members to ensure that the body of fiduciary knowledge remains robust, current and practical.
Heritage Project
The modernisation of the Graaff-Reinet (now Robert Sobukwe Town) heritage exhibition reflects the Institute’s commitment to preserving its history while presenting it in a contemporary format. As we move towards the centenary milestone in 2032, it is important that we remain conscious of the legacy we are building.
Operations and Administration
The appointment of Dorita Dempers as Personal Assistant to the CEO and the appointment of Jan du Plessis as CEO mark an important phase of organisational renewal. It was a sad farewell to Louis van Vuren who, as you all know, has been instrumental in assisting and guiding the council as FISA’s CEO, and though he will be sorely missed as CEO, he is still a FISA member and will definitely be called on from time to time by council and the new CEO when needed, as institutional memory such is the like of Louis’s is not easily replaced. With Jan as the now full-time CEO and assisted by Dorita, we are happy to report that operational enhancements, including payroll implementation, further strengthen the Institute’s administrative capacity as it grows.
Stakeholder Engagement
Engagement with the Master’s Offices, SARS and other stakeholders remains a priority. While challenges persist, FISA continues to advocate for practical improvements, recognising that the effectiveness of these institutions directly impacts our members and their clients. FISA has embarked on establishing a Fiduciary Forum to get all the heads of roll players together. The aim is to get all stakeholders to meet to table all the current and future issues and solve as many as possible, quickly and efficiently for all. FISA is determined to drive this forward and include all that are involved from the financial institutions, SARS, DOJ, LSSA, BASA, SAIT, SAIPA, FCSA, FIC, FPI nationally.
Finances
The Institute remains financially sound. A surplus of R641,301 was achieved against a budgeted deficit, with a closing bank balance of R5,964,085.36. This prudent financial management enables continued investment in initiatives that enhance member value.
FISA Bursary Fund:
The Chairman of the FISA Bursary Fund Trust, Adv Morata has updated council with the latest news on the trust. The board of trustees welcomed the new trustees. The Board discussed the structure and responsibilities for the trust for the year ahead, and agreed to appoint and fill the following vacancies:
Deputy Chair, Secretary, Banking, Marketing, sponsorship and fund-raising.
The Board will finalise the nomination process shortly, and make available the onboarding pack, including the Trust Deed and financial Statements, to be sent to the new Trustees. The Board’s main focus remains raising funds to ensure enough funding is available to fund students in the new future, as well as the continued mentoring and
coaching of the current students.
Forward-Looking Perspective
The fiduciary industry is entering a period of significant change. The increasing role of technology, including artificial intelligence, which presents both opportunity and risk. While automation can enhance efficiency, it cannot replace professional judgement, ethical responsibility and accountability. Similarly, the regulatory environment continues to evolve, requiring practitioners to remain vigilant and adaptable. FISA will continue to play a leading role in guiding its members through these developments, ensuring that innovation is embraced responsibly and that standards are not compromised.
Conclusion
2025 has been a year of meaningful progress. The Institute is stable, relevant and forward-looking. Our strength lies in our members, and it is through their continued commitment that FISA will remain the leading voice of the fiduciary profession in South Africa.
Chris Murphy
National Chairperson
(on behalf of Council)