Carmel Group Support
Our Group Support Team brings a wealth of expertise in providing operational and strategic support to Carmel Group’s wealth management, family-office, and insurance advisory businesses. Collaborating closely with the leadership teams of our portfolio firms, we assist them in achieving their business growth and succession aspirations while enhancing efficiencies.
Kathryn van Dongen
Group COO
Kathryn van Dongen is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). As an accomplished Managing Director and COO within the financial services sector, she drives the Carmel Wealth Group’s strategic expansion and business operations. In her previous roles, Kathryn developed extensive experience in scaling top-tier wealth management businesses, serving as a strategic business partner. This experience enables her to effectively support Carmel Group’s portfolio firms in realising their growth and succession objectives.
Phillip Swart
Group CFO
Phillip is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in business development, opportunity analysis, and deal structuring. After founding and running his own financial consulting firm for a decade, Phillip now drives the financial strategy of Carmel Wealth Group, leveraging his diverse industry experience across private equity, financial services, and property.
Theoniel McDonald CFP®
Head: Financial Planning
With over 20 years of experience as a Wealth Manager, Theoniel McDonald has held several leadership roles, including Managing Director of Wealth Associates Central and Fiduciary Services, Strategic Marketing Director of Wealth Associates South Africa, and has been a FIA board member since 2015. A former Vice President of the Financial Intermediary Association of South Africa, Theoniel holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning and an MBA from UFS. Having led a financial services provider (FSP) for more than two decades, he has developed deep expertise in acquiring and retaining clients in competitive environments. Theoniel believes that an FSP’s success hinges on its people and a well-engineered, integrated advice process.
Gordon Yuill
Head: Short-Term Insurance
With over 25 years of experience in financial services, Gordon Yuill specialises in risk management and short-term insurance. As Managing Director of Wealth Associates Risk n Sure Advisors (Pty) Ltd, he leads a team of specialists focused on growing personal and commercial insurance lines. Gordon holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Unisa’s SBL and has completed regulatory exams RE1 and RE5. His expertise includes distinctions in Applied Insurance and Insurance Intermediaries Law from Unisa’s Economic and Management Sciences facility. A member of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA) and the Financial Intermediaries Association (FIA), he is recognised for his innovative approach to risk mitigation and complex insurance structures.
Elaine Spershott
Head: Fiduciary
Elaine Spershott is a seasoned fiduciary consultant with a robust legal background. A former attorney, she brings extensive expertise in estate planning, with a focus on Trusts. Holding both a Bachelor of Commerce in Law and a Bachelor of Laws degree, Elaine is well-equipped to provide tailored advice, helping clients navigate complex Trust matters.
Mauritz van den Heever CFP® CIPM®
Head: Operations & Technology
Mauritz has over 18 years of experience, with a strong focus on optimising operational processes and leveraging technology to enhance business efficiency. He holds qualifications in investment management, business management, financial law and carries the CFP® and CIPM designations. As Head of Operations & Technology, Mauritz plays a key role in driving innovation, streamlining workflows, and ensuring the seamless integration of IT solutions across the organisation. He is also an active member of the Wealth Associates Investment Committee, a Carmel Group subsidiary.
Carlia van der Merwe
Head: Risk & Compliance
Carlia van der Merwe brings over a decade of experience in financial services risk and compliance, with a strong focus on advisor and FSP compliance, process improvement, and remediation. She has held senior roles managing FSP operations, product distribution, and implementing compliance systems. As an admitted attorney and FSCA-approved FAIS compliance officer, Carlia holds an LLB, a Postgraduate Diploma in Compliance, and is a designated compliance practitioner through the Compliance Institute of Southern Africa. Her extensive background equips her to lead the risk and compliance strategies for the Carmel Group, providing expert guidance across the organisation.