Dr. Richard Nel: An Independent

When it comes to success, Dr. Richard Nel recognizes the drive, skill, ambition and persistence needed to make it on your own. He had to develop these skills at a young age, when his parents suffered from financial hardship and lost everything. Months prior to that, young Richard Nel was an amateur polo champion and at the time had no idea how expensive his hobby of choice truly was. But after losing his horse and league membership, Richard felt the impact of when a family suffers from financial crisis.

When he added it all up, there was no way that Richard could continue his favorite sport while avoiding any outrageous expenses. He couldn’t practice polo in a public park for free, nor could he even get on a horse without having to pay someone. This deprivation of polo was turned into an opportunity for young Dr Richard Nel to find out what he was truly made of.

When he turned 18, Richard Nel headed to Pretoria, South Africa on his own, in search of a way to pursue the lifestyle that he missed so much.  He opened up a successful property company that eventually fueled his ability to get back on a horse. And while he was excited to be playing polo again, Richard Nel discovered something new about himself: he was now more interested in pushing his business abilities to pursue the luxurious lifestyle that often accompanies polo players.

What resulted was Gate Financial Group, a trust and securities firm that has driven Dr. Richard Nel’s wealth and prosperity to levels unforeseen. And now instead of riding a horse every weekend, Dr. Richard Nel cruises around in a Ferrari.