FSCA fines Carrick CEO for deVere shortcomings

In the first official action taken after an investigation that began more than half a decade ago, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has fined Carrick founder and CEO Craig Featherby R800 000.

The fine relates to Featherby’s role as a key individual for deVere Investments South Africa between 2009 and 2014. The FSCA has been investigating deVere since at least 2016 (when the regulator was still the Financial Services Board) over concerns the firm breached a number of financial sector regulations.

These included whether deVere had been overseeing the movement of funds into unregulated collective investment schemes and was charging fees it did not disclose.

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‘After due consideration of the facts and evidence gathered, the FSCA found that Featherby, who was the key individual [KI] of deVere during the period February 12, 2009 to April 30, 2014, failed to comply with paragraph 42(1) of the Determination of Fit and Proper Requirements for Financial Services Providers, 2017, published under Board Notice 194 in Government Gazette 41321 of 15 December 2017,’ the FSCA said in a statement.

‘Featherby did not ensure that he had the operational ability to effectively manage and oversee the financial services-related activities of deVere as required of KIs in the above-mentioned regulations.’

History

The investigations into deVere were prompted by a number of complaints against the firm, some of which were supported by former deVere employees. The FSCA indicated to deVere in 2019 that it intended to take extensive steps against it.

However, deVere sold its South African business to Brite Advisors in late 2019 before any formal action was taken.

Featherby was the divisional manager for Africa at deVere for most of the time the business operated in South Africa. He left the company in 2014 to form Carrick Wealth.

FSCA head of investigations, Gerhard van Deventer, told Citywire South Africa that the regulator expected to make further announcements regarding its findings.

He added that the process had taken a long time because there were many legal issues on which the FSCA needed to take advice, and the investigated parties had requested extensions for submitting replies. The investigation itself is, however, complete.

Patrick Cairns is South Africa Editor at Citywire, which provides insight and information for professional investors globally.

This article was first published on Citywire South Africa here, and republished with permission.