NLD Independent Financial Advisors | Service excellence since 1995

We believe that you should be able to enjoy financial freedom. This begins with defining your dreams and aspirations, setting attainable goals, and putting a personalised financial plan in place that suits your needs.

We understand that financial planning can be confusing and even intimidating. That is why we value simplicity and aim to empower our clients with the knowledge and understanding to take control of their financial future.

NLD Independent Financial Advisors is a family business established in 1995. Whether you are an individual looking to achieve financial freedom, or a business needing employee benefit or assurance advice, we will work with you to achieve success.

About John

I started my career in financial services in Cape Town 1969. Since then I have been involved in all aspects of financial services, culminating in establishing NLD in August 1995 in Port Elizabeth as an Employee Benefits and Investment specialist.

What motivates me is listening to clients to establish their financial needs and goals and providing them with a workable solution.

When not at work, I can be found with my family in the Drakensberg mountains or exploring our beautiful country.

About David

I started a career in finance in 1974. Throughout my working life, I have stayed in financial services as an advisor and later in senior management with a local insurance company. In 2009, I left the corporate world to join my brother at NLD in Cape Town.

My commitment to my clients is to understand their dreams, goals and needs and help them to achieve financial wellness. Strategies are regularly reviewed in line with the clients evolving needs and changes in legislation and markets to ensure that their goals are attained.

Outside work, I am a family man enjoying the company of family and friends and our dogs. Living close to the ocean in beautiful Cape Town allows me to explore my photography when I am not spending time in one of our wildlife national parks.

About Jason

I am a newcomer to the industry, only joining NLD in 2012. Having plied my trade both locally and abroad, it was necessary to change my career to suit my personal aspirations of living a well-rounded lifestyle.

My main role is to provide advice to companies and individuals to enable them to make informed decisions on their personal livelihoods and those of their employees.

When not at work, I am probably watching a herd of elephants or tracking down lions in one of South Africa’s fine game reserves. My wife and I love to travel and explore the back roads and hidden gems this country has to offer.

You can’t steer a parked car

Have you ever tried to steer a parked car? No matter how much you turn the wheel, you’re going nowhere. It’s a simple truth: movement is necessary for progress. Yet, movement without direction can quickly become chaos. The sweet spot lies in finding the balance—moving forward while knowing where you want to go. In life, […]

Start small. Start today.

When it comes to financial success, many people fall into the trap of waiting for the “perfect moment” to start. “I’ll save when I earn more,” or “I’ll invest when the markets feel safer,” are common refrains. But here’s the thing: there’s rarely a perfect moment. Success isn’t built on monumental leaps; it’s built on […]

Choosing your next step

Do you ever find yourself replaying decisions from your past, wishing you could rewrite the story? It’s easy for our minds to fixate on the paths we didn’t take, the doors that closed, or the moments that feel like they’ve determined everything about our present. “I missed my chance, and now it’s too late.” “I […]

The pull of pessimism

Why do pessimistic views often sound so convincing? It’s an interesting phenomenon—when someone warns of an impending financial crash, we perk up, nod solemnly, and give their words the weight of wisdom. But when someone speaks of growth, opportunity, or prosperity, it can come across as naive or overly simplistic. Why is that? As humans, […]

Curious, not critical

When was the last time you gave yourself the grace to be curious? To pause and ask why, instead of immediately leaping to judgment? In a world that moves fast—where we’re bombarded by expectations, comparisons, and decisions—curiosity is often overshadowed by criticism. But what if we could flip the script? What if curiosity became our […]

The value of your time

When we think about building wealth, running a business, or creating income opportunities, the question of pricing is one we all face. And while it might sound straightforward at first, it’s actually a deeply personal and complex challenge because no two people’s financial situations are exactly alike. Some professionals lean on qualifications and experience to […]

Authenticity or attachment

Why do we say yes when we mean no? Why do we say no when deep down we wish we could say yes? These are questions that dig beneath the surface of our everyday choices, revealing the deeper, often hidden stories we tell ourselves. In his insightful discussions, Dr. Gabor Maté highlights a core conflict […]

Healthier benchmarks

WHERE DO YOU ‘THINK’ YOU SHOULD BE? Reflecting on our progress is something we all do, but often without knowing it. Whether we’re aware of it or not, several times a day, we measure ourselves against something or someone—be it our past self, others, or some societal ideal. Whether it’s consciously deciding to check in […]

Roadblocks and reflections

Life is full of roadblocks. They come in many forms: an unexpected expense, a career setback, a strained relationship, or even just a sense of stagnation. At first glance, these challenges can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and even unfair. But what if we stopped seeing roadblocks as something meant to halt our progress and instead viewed […]

Sign that Will!

A will might not seem like the most exciting thing on your pre-vacation checklist, but it’s arguably one of the most important. Mark Twain once said, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” It’s a confronting, yet profound reminder that […]

Individuals

We will help you create a personal financial plan to achieve your goals. This may include saving for retirement, your children’s education, or investing to create wealth. Your plan should also make provision for life events that can negatively impact your finances, such as the loss of income, the passing of a loved one, serious illness, or disability. And in the event of your own death, the plan will ensure that your dependents are cared for in your absence.

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Employers

Retirement funds and group risk cover remain an essential part of a well-run business. We will tailor your business’ employee benefits programme, making use of the most appropriate and reputable providers to ensure a tax and cost-effective employee benefit programme that is designed around your specific needs.

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Business Owners

Should you, your business partner or a key individual become disabled, impaired or die, will the business survive? Have you thought about and planned for these events? We can help you design affordable, flexible, and comprehensive solutions to meet all your business assurance needs.

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Medical Cover & Gap Cover

We are able to advise on a wide and diverse range of Medical Cover and Gap Cover products that will suit almost any budget. These products range from cover for basic hospital stays through to full, comprehensive medical aids that cover consultations with doctors, medication, glasses and other medical expenses.

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Retirement Planning and Provision

The sooner you begin to plan and save for your retirement, the sooner you can retire! The product most bought for this type of financial planning and provision is known as a Retirement Annuity (RA). Most companies have RA’s worked into their remuneration packages, but many don’t.

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Investments & Tax Free Accounts

When it comes to investing, it’s important to have a diverse portfolio. Our expert knowledge and extensive investment options allow you to truly choose the very best products available to you. From low-risk, long-term investing to high-risk, short-term strategies we can mix it up or keep it conservative: investments completely tailored to who you are and where you want to go.

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Disability & Income Protection

Most households in today’s economy rely on more than one income to keep the household expenses under check, very few are able to survive on one income alone. If you were injured or disabled in some way and could no longer work, would your family be able to cope without your income?

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Life Cover

You pay tax every month to the state, but what are you paying to provide for those that you love and care about after you have gone? Life cover should not be seen as a grudge purchase but rather as an investment into the future of your spouse and children. You work hard to provide for them now, that shouldn’t have to change in the future.

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Estate Planning

Estate planning is not only for the mega-rich. If you have assets, investment policies, risk cover and more than one potential beneficiary, then we can assist you with the planning of your estate and how it will be allocated when you pass away. An estate that is left open can cause a difficult time to be even harder for those who are left behind. Often there is more work needed on a R3m estate than on one that is worth R20m!

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Critical Illness

These products are also known as Dread Disease Cover. Advances in medical care mean that more people can now survive illnesses once thought to be fatal. However, although many individuals lead relatively normal lives, they no longer enjoy the same mobility or good health. The best medical treatment can cost you and your diminished ability to work could force you to make severe lifestyle changes.

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Retrenchment Benefit

Have you thought about what you and your family will do if you are retrenched? If it hasn’t happened to you, you probably know someone who’s been retrenched. In these tough economic times, it’s one of the most understandable fears. You want to be protected if you’re faced with retrenchment or liquidation.

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Corporate Benefits

Group Life, Pensions and Provident Funds remain an essential part of a well run business. We will tailor your company’s pension and provident funds for you, using the most appropriate corporate providers to tender for the risk benefits and the retirement benefits separately – ensuring cost effective and customer specific corporate benefits.

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Business Assurance

Will your business survive if you are disabled, die or become impaired or what would the consequences be if this happened to one of your partners? Together we can design flexible and comprehensive solutions to meet your business assurance needs, utilising Key-Man policies and Buy-and-Sell agreements where appropriate.

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ARE YOU SAVING ENOUGH?

How healthy is your financial plan when it comes to saving and provisioning funds for the future? Digital technology and our diverse economic systems and policies have increased our options both for investment and for risk protection. This is an arena that is constantly changing, growing rapidly and needs to be monitored regularly – which is one reason for having your own financial planner!

WHO DO YOU CHOOSE?

If you have never worked with a financial advisor before, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the choice, confused by the jargon and frustrated at the cost! But in the same way you wouldn't service your own car, it's good to have someone you trust to advise and guide you to make healthy decisions about your wealth.

CREATE WINNING STRATEGIES

Aside from being an expert in the money game and having a keen sense of the conditions and lay of the financial landscape, winning strategies are born inside of a relationship of trust, mutual understanding and a commitment to strive for the same goals. Your financial advisor should bring you peace-of-mind and help you maintain control of your finances.

I have always found NLD to be a trustworthy partner in my financial journey. The personal attention I receive makes me feel like my own needs are truly catered for and looked after with the care it deserves. Their open and honest consultations about products and offerings helps immensely with decision making, especially for someone who is not that clued up on financial terms and strategies.

Dean

I am stunned; I have no words, for your integrity and the manner in which you handled the difficult risk conversion which has been a concern to me for so long… Thank you for what being what I call "’n man op ‘n perd", this shows me what kind of people I am dealing with. Thank you very much out of the depth of our hearts.

Peet & Hannie

Firstly, on behalf of the board of management we wish to thank you and NLD for your excellent advice and service that has enabled us to make an informed decision at the time to switch to the current investment strategy. This change has been positive, and we have already seen the benefit for the fund and most importantly for its members. Thanking you.

Bertram

Employee benefits client

A million thanks for all your assistance in resolving this matter. A special thank you for intervening on our behalf and ensuring that the member benefit claim is paid on time.

Rani

Employee benefits client

Thank you very much for this interesting report. Needless to say, I am very happy with the performance to date.

Stephen

Cape Town

I am very thankful that NLD via David Nicol, has always looked after my financial portfolio with absolute efficiency and integrity. He and his team have kept me updated and knowledgeable of all financial aspects alerting me to changes. It is a pleasure to be cared for financially by professionals that know their business and can convey it to clients in a logical and simple manner. I will recommend NLD to any prospective client looking for financial security and stability.

Brian

I have been with NLD for the past 20 years. I was placed on disability income 4 years ago and NLD handled the disability process like true professionals. When I reached retirement age David arranged preparation meetings to ensure a smooth transition from disability income to retirement pension. He facilitated my investments and monitors the performances of my portfolio, alerting me to red flags. I pride myself in being served by David and his most competent team.

Cecil

We have known John for the past 20 years and he is still today the same professional, offering excellent advice with honesty and integrity. He is on top of current market trends and delivers on promises made, over and above our expectations. This has been the case from the beginning and the same applies to his support team at NLD. We have never been concerned about our investment. He puts our mind at ease regarding current and likely future rises and falls in markets.

Luis & Colleen

I have been retired now for 11 years and have really enjoyed dealing with NLD and John in particular. I am always kept up to date with my pension performance, financial trends, and other associated matters. I appreciate the excellent service and personal attention.

Retire from work, not from life.

Let's chat aboutwhat matters most.

It's about creating moments not money.

Spend your timedoing what inspires you.

Don't let financial decisions limit their dreams.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”

ABOUT US

OUR TEAM

John Nicol

David Nicol

Jason Nicol

LATEST BLOGS

“Know what you own and know why you own it”

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Individuals

Employers

Business Owners

Medical Cover & Gap Cover

Retirement Planning and Provision

Investments & Tax Free Accounts

Disability & Income Protection

Life Cover

Estate Planning

Critical Illness

Retrenchment Benefit

Corporate Benefits

Business Assurance

"Most people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan."

ARE YOU SAVING ENOUGH?

WHO DO YOU CHOOSE?

CREATE WINNING STRATEGIES

TESTIMONIALS

Dean

Peet & Hannie

Bertram

Rani

Stephen

Brian

Cecil

Luis & Colleen

Andrew Bowker

“The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing”.

CONTACT US TODAY

CONTACT

DOWNLOADS

DISCLAIMER

Retire from work,
not from life.

Let's chat about
what matters most.

It's about creating moments
not money.

Spend your time
doing what inspires you.

Don't let financial decisions
limit their dreams.