Dear Team Spirit!

Adversity does not build character, it reveals it. Despite trying international and local market conditions in Q1, you have shown excellent character in protecting the wealth of our clients, while continuing to build this magnificent Group.

Congratulations to everyone in Orion Wealth Managers for your tireless work looking after our clients, keeping them informed and guiding them through this period of market turmoil. It is at times like this that client care really shines through and reflects the dedication you have put into building such strong and trusted relationships. The turbulence is not over, and we may be in for more bumps in the road, but the OWM Q1 track record is exemplary.

While OWM has been at the coal face of client management, the team at Orion Investment Managers has put in long hours to deliver optimal portfolios and fund management under these appalling market conditions. All our funds are positioned to weather this turbulence, and I am satisfied that OIM and its advisors have gone the extra mile, calling on their decades of experience to deliver the performance we require.

I meet with our CFO weekly to review all aspects of finance and operations and so am aware that Q1 is one of the busiest with regard to regulatory reporting and audits. The Group now comprises some 30 companies and continues to grow, thus keeping Finance and Operations busy. Our payroll is approaching 500 and this alone is testament to our success. The Finance and Operations Teams never miss a deadline and ensure that the Spirit Group is a well-oiled machine that functions on all cylinders at all times, irrespective of the markets and pressures out there. Well done!

Looking back on Q1, the quality of our already excellent marketing has improved even further. The investment we have made in the marketing team is paying off handsomely and I am proud to see the quality of our websites, publications and posts. I believe our marketing material and digital presence is at least equal to that of any other financial services group.

It is also rewarding to see management across all Group companies stepping up and taking responsibility for their respective spheres of operation. As a rapidly growing Group, our continued success requires each and every manager to take full ownership of their role and deliver on every aspect of their region and business. You have my full backing and all I expect in return is your full commitment to always be the best.

It's also been a memorable quarter for the Spirit Foundation, (https://spiritf.org/) which itself continues to grow in quality, range and impact.

A brilliant Q1 initiative that is particularly close to my heart is the launch of the Spirit International Football Academy (SIFA). If you Google, AI will tell you: “SIFA is a football academy based in Cape Town, South Africa, established by the Spirit Foundation. Launched in January 2025, SIFA aims to identify, nurture, and showcase local football talent, providing a holistic approach to player development that includes top-tier coaching, structured training, and exposure to high-level competition”. 

What AI will not tell you is the story of each of the highly talented young footballers who are being coached to play the beautiful game while maintaining solid academic performance.

Racing Spirit continues to burn up the track and is setting new records in all their categories, so well done to the racing team. Our social media and YouTube channels really do capture the excitement of this team and so I would encourage you to log on and have a look, or better still, come and support the team!

The Spirit Foundation never stands still, and this is certainly the case in Q1 where we have delivered remarkable and lasting impact in the Spirit Early Childhood Development Foundation, Spirit Education Foundation, Spirit Community Foundation, Spirit Wildlife Foundation and, of course, SIFA.

I could not be prouder of the unique contribution the Spirit Foundation is making in our country, particularly in these times of great need.

There is also an exciting development on the Spirit International Foundation front that I will update you on in the next edition of the Spirit Insider.

Until next time, remember, for the Spirit Group, nothing but the best is good enough!

Sincerely,