Dr Pravin Thakur, a well-known Kwa-Zulu Natal Financial Planner, and Council Member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been appointed to serve as the South African Country Chairperson of the Million Dollar Round Table Association (MDRT). 

The Million Dollar Round Table Association is recognised internationally as The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®. It is an independent body of more than 42 000 of the world's leading financial services professionals from over 70 countries and its membership is recognized internationally as the standard and benchmark of excellence in the financial services industry. To continue to hold membership, members must demonstrate exceptional product knowledge, outstanding client service and strict ethical conduct. Dr Thakur who is one of South Africa's highest qualified Financial Planners, holding seven university qualifications from five different tertiary institutes, has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table Club for 14 years and has hitherto served the organisation in various capacities, e.g., local Chairperson, Company Chairperson, and Area Chairperson thus earning himself Life Member Status in the process.

"To serve as Country Chairperson of South Africa is the absolute highlight of my involvement with MDRT and I deem my appointment to be an honour and a privilege. My specific role-function would be to serve on the Membership Communications Committee, which is a network of more than 400 MDRT volunteer members internationally, who are responsible for promoting the organisation and communicating information to current and aspiring members, companies, and other industry organizations and reporting the needs and concerns of members to the MDRT Executive Committee at the MDRT headquarters in Chicago, United States" said Dr Thakur.

A crowning moment for Dr Thakur was to be designated South African Flag Bearer at a recent MDRT Conference in New Orleans and carry the South African Flag onto the stage at the glittering opening ceremony of more than 10 000 insurance professionals from across the globe. "It was a proud and humbling moment," said Dr Thakur.

Dr Thakur's first assignment is to attend the MDRT MCC Leadership Induction Programme to be held in Chicago on 3-5 August 2015 in preparation for the commencement of his term of office which will be from 1 September 2015. 

Dr Pravin Thakur | Certified Financial Planner®

• MDRT - Million Dollar Round Table Club - Fourteen Year Life & Qualifying Member; Area Chairperson KZN SA; Top of the Table Member
• FIA - Member of the Financial Intermediaries Association of South Africa since 1997
• FPI - Member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa since 2001
• DCCI - Council Member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry

We would like to congratulate Dr. Pravin Thakur on this significant appointment as he has served the Chamber and the Durban business community well as a volunteer for the past 15 years and recognition of this kind is well deserved.