How Trust and Transparency Define Financial Success

Lara Warburton, CFP®, Director at Integral Wealth and Financial Planner of the Year, is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the financial planning industry. Her journey began in an unexpected place—working as a car parts buyer for Volkswagen. However, after returning from overseas travels and needing a job, she joined Investec, which ignited her interest in financial advice. What started as a practical decision soon transformed into a passion, leading her to pursue the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®  designation.

For Lara, earning the CFP® was more than just a professional achievement—it was a commitment to ethical and client-centric financial planning. She believes that trust is the foundation of any successful advisor-client relationship, and transparency is critical in building that trust. Lara is a strong advocate for setting clear expectations with clients from the start and ensuring that advice is prioritised over product sales.

Throughout her career, she has witnessed the financial planning industry evolve, particularly in how advisors approach clients. Lara encourages financial planners to be honest about their limits, seek expert advice when needed, and disclose all fees to clients to avoid difficult conversations later.

Her greatest reward? Knowing that her clients trust her implicitly during critical life events. “When a client tells their family, ‘Everything will be fine—just call Lara,’ it’s the highest compliment I could receive,” she shares. Lara's philosophy centers on helping clients navigate both good and challenging times, ensuring their financial well-being is always in focus.

Key Points

• Lara Warburton’s journey into financial planning started unexpectedly, coming from a background in purchasing and working at Investec.

• She strongly believes in the value of earning a CFP® designation to ensure the highest standards of professionalism.

• The industry has evolved from product-driven sales to client-centered advice, with regulatory changes driving professionalism.

• Trust and transparency are central to building strong client relationships. Clients need clear disclosure of fees and expectations.

• It’s important for financial planners to know their limits and seek expert advice when necessary, rather than pretending to know everything.

• Lara’s ultimate reward is the trust clients place in her, especially during significant life events like the passing of a spouse.