FS Power50 2020

FSPOWER 50

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia Pathway to recovery Gold sponsor Proudly supported by

Silver sponsors

The 2019 Entries

Contents Welcome note

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From the editor

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The 2020 entries

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The selection process

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How to be an FS Power50 adviser

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FS Power50 snapshot

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Quotable quotes

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A word from our sponsors Growing demand for ESG and the green lining of COVID-19

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Taking an active approach to advice and portfolio construction

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Seeking regular income and diversification in challenging times

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Editor Jamie Williamson

Head of marketing Julian Clarkstone

Contributor Elizabeth McArthur

Executive Director - Media Michelle Baltazar

Data analyst William Cao

Group Managing Director Christopher Page

Financial Standard Level 7, 55 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 T + 61 2 8234 7500 www.financialstandard.com.au

Graphic Designer Jessica Beaver Financial Standard is an award-winning financial services publication and is the publishing division of the Rainmaker Group.

Financial Standard is focused on providing trade news, investment analysis as well as events and education for professionals within financial planning, superannuation, research, consultancy, investment management and professional investing.

The Rainmaker Group is comprised of: Rainmaker Information, Financial Standard, FS Aspire CPD, SelectingSuper, SelectAdviser, SuperGuard360, Industry Moves, The Sustainability Report and Money magazine.

FSPOWER50 2020

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Welcome note

Heart of the matter Congratulations to everyone on our FS Power50 list in 2020. This is our seventh year and we continue to be impressed with the quality of advisers who have made it to the list. The first year’s pioneers paved the way and today we continue to see the list as a powerful extension of a successful financial planning practice.

We’ve been proud to see our featured advisers wield influence in the wider community through volunteer work, philanthropy, industry associations, board memberships and other community-oriented work. A passion for financial education and financial literacy remains the biggest theme for many on our list.

This has also been a big year for advisers who have had to sit the FASEA exams, navigate the changes in the insurance sector and quickly get across all the COVID-19 government stimulus packages.

In 2020 we’ve seen greater levels of connectivity between our FS Power50 advisers and their communities. It’s so important to be there

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FS Power50

helping clients directly and indirectly and providing the guiding light of advice. At the same

reputations of good advisers and a good industry are built. You have responsibility for

time, businesses can flourish with the right use of influence in social media networks - and equally, can be called out for any perceived wrongs.

The stakes are even higher in a recession.

Many Australians who cashed in their super will need some extra guidance to make up for their lost savings; retirees will need to re-assess their finances while small business owners need to navigate through a new world.

And in the next two decades, there’s the $3.5 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer that needs to be prudently managed, invested and protected.

We urge our Power50 advisers not to waste this year’s unique opportunity: We are experiencing a significant time when the

your own success as a financial planner, but you also have a responsibility to build the industry which you are a part of.

On behalf of the Financial Standard team, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the nominations, voting and selection process. It is through your support that we continue our advocacy.

FSPOWER50 2020

Michelle Baltazar director of media Rainmaker Group @notesbymichelle

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Congratulations to Australia’s 50 Most Influential Advisers

Congratulations to all financial advisers recognised in the FS Power50 guide.

This acknowledgement is an impressive achievement and we know it is often the result of hard work and choosing the right business partners.

BT has been supporting financial advisers and their clients for the last 50 years. Today we continue to invest in smart technology, support and tools to help you, the adviser, deliver an even greater experience for your clients.

Visit bt.com.au/btpanorama

BT, a part of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 233714. BT-00222A-0920

The 2019 From the editor Entries

Reflecting on recent years, it’s fair to say we all knew 2020 wasn’t going to be smooth sailing. But little did we know just how tough this year would prove to be.

By July of this year, almost 2000 advisers had dropped off the ASIC Financial Adviser Register.

The difficulties the industry was already destined to encounter this year were compounded by COVID-19.

In a strange twist, Australians are now more in need of financial advice than ever before, with the community crying out for guidance as we head for our first recession in decades.

Compounding this, the government’s early release of superannuation scheme saw many Aussies who hadn’t previously thought about their super suddenly take notice. And while advisers were given some regulatory relief to help people through this time, there was no long term solution to what many still see as the biggest issue facing the industry – the affordability of financial advice going forward, particularly as demand grows and supply shrinks.

Amid it all, advisers found themselves forced to transform business models and rely on technology like never before. But in some ways, it was also business as usual; lending an ear to clients losing loved

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FS Power50

ones, assisting with life insurance claims, moderating difficult conversations on a daily basis while also celebrating new homes, family members and opportunities.

In spite of all the challenges, this year’s Power50 are seeing the bright side, representing a new era of professionalism and purpose.

For example, Donna Lee Powell has built her business around helping widowed people after her own experience gave her a new level of empathy. Similarly, Victoria Devine and Nicole Heales are dedicated to educating women on how to make their finances work for them.

Then there’s Ben Neilson, who has found his purpose in rural Australia, advising those long hardened by drought for whom COVID-19 and catastrophic bushfires were added pain.

FSPOWER50 2020

We also highlight those working towards a better, cleaner future through ethical investment in Dave Rae and Karen McLeod, and those who ensure less fortunate communities benefit from their hard work, like Ben Nash.

This year’s Power50 is brimming with passion. In tough times, the people on this list have distinguished themselves and Financial Standard is delighted to highlight and congratulate them for a job well done.

Jamie Williamson editor Financial Standard @jayellewill

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50 M O FI

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FLUENTIAL A IN DV S ER IS

The 2020 FS Power50

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The financial advisers featured in this guide are a diverse group: some specialise in responsible investment advice, some provide financial advice to specific professions, and some focus on addressing market gaps, with many finding themselves on the list for the very first time.

But they all have one thing in common: they all wield influence that can create the blueprint for the future of financial advice in Australia.

Not all of them are familiar names but just because they are not making a lot of noise doesn’t mean they are not making waves. Meet our Power50.

FSPOWER50 2020

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The 2020 Entries

Esther Althaus

David Andrew

Perspective Financial Services

Capital Partners

The first ever winner of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Rising Star Award in 2005, Esther has since built a career befitting the accolade. She specialises in insurance, retirement, investment and superannuation among more. On the way she has served two terms on the AFA’s board and chaired its foundation.

Despite the success, she’s never stopped upskilling, and tallied up a spot on the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Women Entrepreneurs Scholarship Program in 2020.

David is founder and chief executive of Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers, one of the largest privatelyowned advisory firm in Perth, Western Australia. Capital Partners recently celebrated 21 years of business and has nearly $1 billion in assets under advice. He won the FPA Professional Practice of the Year twice, in 2017 and 2019, and is a respected leader within his local community.

@EstherAlthaus

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

@DavidAndrew

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Caroline Bell

Marshall Brentnall

Summerhill Financial Services

Evalesco Financial Services

Caroline started her own firm with her own AFSL in 2006, building a client base from scratch. Her aim was to provide affordable and accessible financial advice, as well as educational material, to more Australians to help them improve their financial literacy and confidence with money. She says her greatest joy comes from seeing clients achieve a sense of confidence and control, to be able to take their financial destiny into their own hands.

No matter what the endeavour, Marshall has always been focused on looking after the community. He served in the Army Reserves for five years and spent 10 years as a life saver at Sydney’s Tamarama Beach but it is his 19-year tenure as an adviser that he is most passionate about. As a CFP and director of Evalesco, Marshall works to ensure all his clients are healthy, wealthy and happy.

Caroline Bell

FSPOWER50 2020

@MarshBrentnall

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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The 2020 Entries

Jenny Brown

Chris Carlin

JBS Financial Strategists

Master Your Money Now

With over 28 years’ experience in financial advice, Jenny is driven to help women in business. She is the chief executive and founder of JBS Financial Strategists, focused on building relationships with her clients to help them achieve their dreams. She is currently the Oceania chair of the Million Dollar Round Table, and was formerly a national vice president and conference co-chair of the AFA.

Chris is the founder of Master Your Money Now and was the 2019 AFA Rising Star of the Year. He is passionate about helping everyday millennials, namely nurses and teachers, achieve their financial goals and live out their dream lifestyle. Chris is also an advocate for mental health, regularly lending an ear to those in need and sharing his own experiences with the advice community to break down stigmas that remain around mental health.

@JBSFinancialJB

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

Chris Carlin

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Mathew Cassidy

Sabil Chowdhury

Partners Wealth Group

Koda Capital

Mathew is a founder of Partners Wealth Group and, as managing director, draws on his 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry to help ensure the whole company is meeting clients’ needs. Mathew has a genuine passion and commitment to providing financial advice to a number of high net worlth clients and family groups. Having spent a number of years working in financial services abroad in London and New York, he is able to bring a wealth of knowledge to those he works with.

The youngest partner to ever join Koda Capital, Sabil has been working in financial services since the turn of the millennium. Sabil helps entrepreneurs, executives and family offices to preserve and grow their wealth. He specialises in providing advice on customised investment mandates, and regularly writes white papers and research pieces to educate fellow advisers.

Mathew Cassidy

FSPOWER50 2020

@sabil_chowdhury

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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The 2020 Entries

Sue Dahn

Victoria Devine

Pitcher Partners

Zella Wealth

Sue is one of Australia’s most respected and influential advisers, having topped Barron’s list of Australia’s Top 50 Financial Advisers and was one of the visionary forces responsible for taking Pitcher Partners from a mid-tier accounting firm to a $5 billion wealth management giant. In addition to her various advice clients, Sue also sits on the investment committees and boards of several major institutional investors.

Victoria puts her all into changing the financial futures of Australian women, all while running one of the top personal finance podcasts in the nation. Victoria is passionate about empowering women to make smart money decisions. In addition to being a dedicated financial adviser, she was a finalist for the 2020 Telstra Women in Business Awards and is the treasurer of TLC for Kids.

SueDahn

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

Victoria Devine

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Andrew Dunbar

Brett Evans

Apt Wealth Partners

Atlas Wealth Management

Andrew won the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) Certified Financial Planner of the Year in 2019 because of his passion for helping clients with complex family needs who might be going through some challenging times. Andrew was also commended for giving back to different charities. He regularly contributes to thought leadership programs by writing financial education guides, presenting at educational events, and mentoring the next generation of advisers.

An expert in advising expats, Brett is seen as a thought leader and frequently quoted in the media. Thanks to his niche, business is thriving and Brett has recently established a Dubai office to meet growing demand. Brett’s passionate advocacy for his overseas clients has seen him active in public debate around reform, including most recently petitioning for expat property investor rights.

Andrew Dunbar CFP

FSPOWER50 2020

Brett Evans

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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Growing demand for ESG and the green lining of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has been a tragedy for many, a shock for all, and a crisis for economies. However, significant carbon emissions reduction and a renewed focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors have been a ‘green lining’. Overall, it’s estimated the global emission impact of COVID-19 will be -5.5% - the largest annual

Michelle Lacey head of client group AXA Investment Managers Core Australia

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reduction since records began1. Despite this, it would take a COVID-19-like event every year until 20502 to achieve our commitment to a 1.5-degree-world.

FS Power50

Positively, there is growing investor demand for responsible investment solutions that do good for the world. In Australia, the recent bushfires and the coronavirus pandemic are bringing ESG to the forefront, with investors recognising that non-financial risks can have significant implications for investments.

Research shows nine in 10 Australians expect their investments to be managed responsibly.

Furthermore, 90% expect their adviser to help them navigate the complexities of responsible investing3.

Sustainable strategies, such as AXA IM’s Sustainable Equity strategy, aims to manage risks and returns to ensure investors don’t compromise on performance while improving the overall ESG profile and avoiding harmful companies and industries. The strategy aims to deliver sustainable, long-term returns by blending Quality and Low-Volatility factors, which may help preserve assets in falling markets and keep pace with rising ones. These defensive attributes seem evident at the height of the pandemic4.

We consider ESG in three ways: Targeting improved metrics, such as 40% lower carbon and water intensity than the benchmark5; excluding harmful or controversial stocks and sectors; and voting and engagement. Active management means more than buying and selling shares. It means proactive ownership of stocks, voting at company meetings, and engaging with management and other investors to drive change.

In 2019, AXA IM engaged with 217 issuers, voted at 6016 general meetings, and 64,439 proposed company resolutions were voted in.

The unexpected opportunity presented by

FSPOWER50 2020

COVID-19, coupled with increasing demand for responsible investments, means we now have a very strong chance to build a sustainable future through investment without sacrificing capital preservation and growth. A better tomorrow starts today.

1

Carbon Brief, April 2020

2

UNEP Gap report 2019

3

Responsible Investment Association of Australasia, 2020

4

AXA IM and MSCI. As markets fell in March 2020, AXA IM Sustainable Equity fell less than the benchmark MSCI ACWI ex Australia Index (in AUD). Through the peak to trough period of 21 January to 21 May the strategy’s absolute returns outperformed the benchmark (net of fees). Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

5

MSCI ACWI ex Australia, according to data from AXA IM, MSCI and Trucost.

Disclaimers: This document is issued by AXA Investment Managers Asia (Singapore) Ltd (ARBN 115203622) (“AXA IM Asia”). AXA IM Asia is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence and is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under Singaporean laws, which differ from Australian laws. AXA IM Asia offers financial services in Australia only to residents who are “wholesale clients” within the meaning of Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any investments or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice. Information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Reliance upon information in this document is at the sole discretion of the recipient.

This document does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision. Investment involves risks, and past performance is no guarantee of future returns. © 2020 AXA Investment Managers. All rights reserved.

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The 2020 Entries

Scott Farmer

Trevor Geffin

Bravium

Core Private Wealth

Scott believes financial advice is important for helping clients overcome complexities in their lives and changing behaviours to achieve greater financial success. He founded Bravium in 2007 and counts pivoting the business to a value based, annual fee engagement model long before it was necessary as one of his biggest achievements. Scott believes in the value of technology-led advice, both for the consumer and the adviser. He also recently founded a cashflow app, Savvy, to simplify the client experience.

As the director and private client adviser at Core Private Wealth based in Sydney, Trevor has helped the practice reach $170 million in funds under advice and is proud of the fact that it runs successfully on a flat fee, commission-free business model.

Something else he can boast about is the claims and advocacy services Core Private Wealth offers.

Scott Farmer

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

@TrevorGeffin

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Simon Growden

Matt Hale

Shadforth Financial Group

Rising Tide Financial Services

Based in Perth, Simon has over 24 years’ experience and has featured in Barron’s list of Australia’s Top 50 Financial Advisers. He regularly rides in the annual Hawaiian Ride for Youth, a 700km bike ride from Albany to Perth raising money to support young people and their mental health. As a father of three boys he understands the challenges that youths face in today’s society. Since the Ride for Youth’s inception in 2003 it has raised over $10 million.

A past winner of the AFA Rising Star award, Matt is passionate about helping his clients find the freedom to say ‘yes’. A straight shooter, Matt says great advice can help Australians be less apathetic to their money. He also believes financial advice helps people to improve their mental health and achieve amazing things. He has over 12 years’ experience in the industry and is never afraid to get into the nitty gritty with his clients.

@SimonGrowden

FSPOWER50 2020

@matthaleRT

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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The 2020 Entries

Will Hamilton

Glen Hare

Hamilton Wealth Management

Fox & Hare Financial Advice

As a member of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics (FASEA) board, Will is influencing the future of financial advice in Australia. And he’s been doing so for quite some time, having also sat on the Professional Standards Council. Will is considered an expert and thought leader in his field, regularly contributing to various publications. He is also a member of Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA) and senior fellow of FINSIA.

The Fox & Hare co-founder saw a gap in the market, catering to a much younger demographic than those that typically seek advice. Glen rose through the ranks of Macquarie and was one of the youngest directors in the company. In his spare time, Glen works closely within the LGBTIQ community to create a safe space for financial conversations.

Will Hamilton

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

Glen Hare

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Nicole Heales

Joseph Hoe

Nicole Heales Financial

Wealthwise

Nicole is passionate about helping women, particularly when it comes to taking care of their financial health. As a financial adviser and mortgage broker, Nicole has been running her practice for almost 15 years. Nicole uses different mediums to educate clients and consumers, such as podcasts, e-books and videos to help get her message across. This marks Nicole’s fourth appearance in the FS Power50.

What client can resist an adviser who is also an expert in tax and accounting?

Joseph rounds off technical skills with a desire to give back to the advice community through the Future2 Foundation. He speaks two other languages (Cantonese and Mandarin), has won awards from both FPA and AFA, and works with a wide set of clients. The Perth-based adviser runs the gamut from Centrelink to high net worth tax planning.

Nicole Heales

FSPOWER50 2020

Joseph H.

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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The 2020 Entries

Fran Hughes

Shane LightÂ

Nexia ANZ

The Hopkins Group

Fran’s clients tell her having financial guidance every step of the way allows them time to invest more into their relationships and personal life, empowering them to grow their wealth and improve their lives. Fran is a public speaker and a loud voice on social media, as well as a regular voice in media, offering her expertise to a number of publications. Fran is particularly passionate about helping women achieve financial independence.

Shane has been working in the financial services industry since 2002.

He helped establish a National Rare Cancer charity and volunteers his time for the Create Foundation, assisting children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. Shane was also a volunteer firefighter for 10 years, until hanging up his hat to spend more time with his young family and commit more time to his work.

@FranHughesFP

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

@_LIGHTY_

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Troy MacMillan

Olivia Maragna

The Wealth Designers

Aspire Retire Financial Services

Troy is an award winning financial adviser who created boutique firm The Wealth Designers which took out the AFA’s Practice of the Year Award in 2018. He is also a former AFA Adviser of the Year. Troy wants all his clients to feel seen, heard and valued. In his spare time, Troy is a karate enthusiast and has volunteered with several disability services organisations.

An FS Power50 regular, Olivia is a familiar face, contributing to a range of publications on a regular basis and is frequently called upon to provide expertise on any number of financial planning topics. When she’s not working with clients, Olivia can be found at Future2 board meetings or influencing the next generation of financial services as a mentor for younger members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

@troymacmillan33

FSPOWER50 2020

@oliviamaragna

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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Taking an active approach to advice and portfolio construction “Active management is about building partnerships with forward-thinking financial advisers who need to know their clients are well invested.�

Financial advice firms across Australia are demanding greater control and transparency with the investments they recommend for their

Manuel Damianakis head of retail Franklin Templeton

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clients.

At Franklin Templeton, we work with a variety of AFSL holders who consistently question the most suitable way to build out

FS Power50

their investment approach for their clients.

We have observed several different methods: 1. Take out an MDA licence and build out a licensee managed account offer using an internal investment manager and/or external consulting service.

2. Buy an off-the-shelf managed account from a preferred platform.

3. Manage each client’s portfolio individually but use the platform and advice software to implement a licensee model portfolio.

4. Give up on investment management as a value add and execute most of the investments passively to save on costs and workload.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does represent the bulk of options advice licensees consider when they approach investment recommendations for their clients.

Strong partnerships between fund managers and advisers is paramount Where advisers choose to manage a model portfolio themselves this will clearly give them greater control and transparency of the investment process. However, this does require more effort and diligence on their part.

It is with those advisers who manage individual portfolios tailored to the specific needs of each client that we find we form the deepest relationships. We know they are committed to delivering the right outcomes for their clients and desire a deeper level of understanding of all aspects of the investments they recommend.

FSPOWER50 2020

On the other hand, for those practices that choose a more passive strategy for their clients – there is little value we can contribute.

I cannot accept the argument that now is a good time to implement a completely passive approach. The current dislocation in markets from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as historically low bond yields means that advising to simply “stay the course” is, in my view, a risky proposition for any advice business.

I would like to dispel the myth that advisers are not capable of building and managing an investment solution for their clients. Some of the toughest meetings we have are with advice principals who are knowledgeable, engaged, and eager to understand the more technical aspects of investment strategies.

They ask the hard questions. These advisers make it their business to know the most important details about the investments they are recommending to their clients. They are also very open to input from research and consulting firms to assist them in this process.

The benefits for advice practices are clear: An actively engaged adviser means an actively engaged client.

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The 2020 Entries

Kate McCallum

Karen McLeod

Multiforte Financial Services

Ethical Investment Advisers

As the director of award-winning advice firm Multiforte Financial Services, Kate turned the financial advice industry on its head with her “no commissions, no compromise” model. Kate is a regular speaker, media commentator and now author of The Joy of Money: The Australian woman’s guide to financial independence. She is the national chair of the AFA’s Inspire community, a senior fellow at FINSIA and the chair of its NSW Council.

Karen is one of few ethical financial advisers certified by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia, having opted to specialise after a career with major institutional licensees that, while successful, ultimately left her feeling conflicted. A member of the Ethical Advisers Co-op and RIAA board member, she dedicates her time to helping her clients use their money for good. This is Karen’s second time in the FS Power50.

@Kate_McCallum

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

Karen McLeod

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Ben Nash

Ben Neilson

Pivot Wealth

Neilson & Co Wealth Management

Community is at the heart of everything Ben does, which is why he makes sure that when he’s kicking clients’ goals he is also giving back to those in need. So far Ben and his team at Pivot have provided over 17,000 days’ worth of life-saving clean water in Africa and Asia and close to 15,000 days of e-learning to underprivileged people in India, just to name a couple. Ben is also helping shape the future of financial advice in Australia as a co-founder of growing community group XY Adviser.

The “Rural Money Bloke” as he likes to call himself, Ben Neilson is focussed on Australians in regional and rural areas. Based in Bundaberg, Ben is a no-nonsense voice on a variety of financial planning subjects with an open and honest social media style.

He’s proud to say that his business, Neilson & Co Wealth, receives most of its business through referrals from happy customers.

Ben Nash

FSPOWER50 2020

Ben Neilson

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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The 2020 Entries

Paul Nicol

Donna Lee Powell

GFM Wealth Advisory

DLP Life Design

Paul is managing partner and senior financial planner at GFM Wealth Advisory, a privately owned financial advice firm with a 45-year history and specialises in SMSFs. He cites mentoring other people in the financial advice industry and seeing them go on to achieve great things as a huge source of pride. Paul believes financial advice is a critical part of wealth accumulation, providing an intrinsic link between purpose, action and outcome.

Donna specialises in advising those who have suffered the loss of a partner, drawing on her own experience with tragedy and providing the support she wishes she’d had at the same point in her life. She has travelled around the country presenting to her peers about the value and importance of advice when clients are experiencing death, disablement, and other life-changing events such as divorce or aged care transition.

@paul_nic1

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

@DonnaLeePowell2

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Rebecca Pritchard

David Rae

Rising Tide Financial Services

Federation Financial

Rebecca has come a long way from poring over the Dollarmite Club guidebook, and establishing a car-purchase fund for herself when she was eight. These days she is one of the most recognisable advisers honing in on millennials’ planning needs. She returns to the FS Power50 under a new firm, after moving from Wealth Enhancers earlier this year. Rebecca is passionate about financial freedom.

Dave has become one of the most trusted voices in the industry on ethical investing. He strives to build a portfolio of purpose for clients who are ethically motivated, whether that’s through exclusions to do no harm or by actively contributing to positive solutions. He also regularly writes opinion pieces on ESG issues, appears on panels and at conferences, and has developed a strong media presence.

@rfpritch

FSPOWER50 2020

@1DaveRae

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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The 2020 Entries

David Reed

Hugh Robertson

The Retirement Advice Centre

Centaur Financial Services

A former police officer, David founded The Retirement Advice Centre and has spent years illustrating the importance of planning for retirement. David is passionate about applying science in retirement planning and is the author of 50 Tips for Over 50s and the co-author of So You Think You Are Ready To Retire. David is a regular in the media on 2GB and the Today Show.

Gold Coast-based senior financial adviser Hugh is focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of clients and on maintaining his business, Centaur Financial Services, to stand the test of time. Hugh regularly speaks to the media and has become a trusted commentator on a variety of financial topics thanks to his down-toearth and reliable expertise. He’s also a co-founder and director of the Australian Advice Network.

@smartretirement

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

@Hugh_Robertson1

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Diana Saad

Julia Schortinghuis

Silway Private Wealth

Lighthouse Capital

Not only has Diana got 11 years’ experience in financial services, but she is also a CFP and holds degrees in both law and commerce. She is committed to helping her clients find new and inventive ways to reach their financial goals. She is an active member of the Women in Business Forum and is increasingly called upon by the media to share her insights.

All advisers had a busy 2020 as the markets whipsawed, but Julia’s diary has perhaps been a little fuller than others. In April, she launched The Good Money Habits podcast and had tallied up 11 episodes by September end. Before becoming an adviser in 2006, she held roles in commercial lending at NAB, stockbroking and then funds management at Merrill Lynch, and finally advice in 2006.

Diana Saad

FSPOWER50 2020

@lighthouse190

Entries are in alphabetical order.

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Sponsored content

Seeking regular income and diversification in challenging times With so much uncertainty in the current environment it can be hard for investors to plan for the future and reconcile recent rallies in the equity market with the lack of global economic activity linked to the various stages of COVID-19 lock-downs. Coupled with bond yields at all-time lows, investors are left with little opportunity for steady returns.

Andrew Schwartz managing director & co-founder Qualitas

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CRE debt is a compelling opportunity As an asset class, commercial real estate (CRE) debt is compelling as it aims to

FS Power50

provide regular income to investors, allowing access to the alternative lending market, where opportunities are increasing as banks withdraw and borrowers seek flexible finance.

Investors benefit from a regular stream of income derived from interest and fees on the underlying loans.

The market environment in 2020 has presented challenges for banks that have a fairly rigid set of lending criteria and are typically less flexible when assessing borrower needs.

They have been withdrawing from the market, increasing opportunities for alternative lenders such as Qualitas, who benefit from charging higher interest and fees and can provide more flexible and timely finance to commercial borrowers.

A leader in CRE debt investment Qualitas is one of Australia’s leading alternative real estate investment management firms. Established in 2008, Qualitas has invested in or financed assets valued over $12 billion.

Qualitas is well positioned in the Australian market to originate and source CRE debt opportunities due to its long-standing local presence and deep borrower relationships built on trust and repeat lending.

With a track record of disciplined investing and strong returns, Qualitas offers unrivalled expertise in property finance with experience working through various market conditions, undertaking thorough loan assessments and managing risks throughout a loan’s lifecycle.

The Qualitas Real Estate Income Fund

FSPOWER50 2020

(ASX: QRI) launched in 2018 and has consistently delivered monthly income and attractive returns to investors since inception.

Capital preservation is a core objective of the fund which has had no loan impairments despite recent market challenges.

All QRI loans are secured by real property mortgages and the loan value is partly insulated from falls in property prices as the investor benefits from the equity buffer i.e. the value between the security property value and the loan principal.

As a real estate fund that only invests in CRE loans, QRI can offer attractive portfolio diversification, with low correlation to equities, bonds, and corporate loans.

Disclaimers: Prepared by QRI Manager Pty Ltd (ACN 625 857 070) (Authorised representative No. 1266996 of Qualitas Securities Pty Ltd (ACN 136 451 128) (AFSL 34224)) and issued by The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited ACN 003 278 831 as responsible entity and the issuer of units in the Qualitas Real Estate Income Fund. It is general information only and is not intended to provide you with financial advice.

You should consider the product disclosure statement, available on www.qualitas.com.au/qri, prior to making any investment decisions.

If you require financial advice that takes into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs, you should consult your licensed or authorised financial adviser.

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33

The 2020 Entries

Liam Shorte

Campbell Sorell

Verante Financial Planning

Shadforth Financial Group

Verante Financial Planning’s funds under advice has grown to $250 million thanks to the niche Liam has carved out in the SMSF sector. Liam has taken home awards from industry associations and publications, such as Barron’s and the FS Power50. He is a trusted voice in the SMSF landscape as he has been a director of the SMSFA for the last two years and many will know him as his alter ego: The SMSF Coach.

Campbell has over 25 years of experience in financial services and has received several industry honours in the past. He has lectured in financial planning at Melbourne University, is a prolific public speaker and has been a regular media contributor and author of whitepapers.

He also mentors young advisers and is passionate about delivering pro bono advice.

@SMSFCoach

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

@CampbellSorel

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Christine Swanson

Michelle Tate-Lovery

Prominent Financial Services

Unified Financial Services

Christine is the director of Adelaidebased Prominent Financial Services and has frequented the FS Power50. In addition to her business, Christine is proud of what Prominent Bono Service has accomplished, a pro bono program she offers to her community for people who are affected by serious illness or disability, providing financial advice and assistance, investment and superannuation guidance; and debt and cash flow management.

Michelle is an influential leader in advice, regularly speaks at conferences, mentors financial planners and women’s groups, presents to masters students at Deakin University and often appears on radio and television. With over 30 years in financial services, Michelle started Unified Financial Services in 1994 with her own dealer’s licence, and pioneered the fair fee structures that have become common today.

@ChristineSwan12

FSPOWER50 2020

@MTateLovery

Entries are in alphabetical order.

35

The 2020 Entries

Troy Theobald

Dawn Thomas

Robina Financial Solutions

Wealthwise

Troy started working in accounting while completing a business degree at Griffith University on the Gold Coast.

He then worked his way up from a paraplanning role to become a Certified Financial Planner. In 2003, Troy joined forces with a large accounting firm and this was where Robina as it is known today was formed. Along the way Troy has picked up a number of industry accolades, including the Barron’s list two years running.

Dawn has built a career and a standout social media following thanks to her philosophy of advice with heart. In 2019, she won the Association of Financial Advisers’ Female Excellence in Advice Award. Dawn is passionate about financial literacy and uses social media to break down complex financial concepts, including a new YouTube project that combines cooking tutorials with financial education.

@theo_troy

36

Entries are in alphabetical order.

Dawn Thomas CFP

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Tim TownsendÂ

Ben Travers

Townsend Cobain Private Wealth Partners

Infinity Financial Advisors

Tim is one of two founding partners of TownsendCobain, overseeing funds under advice of about $120 million. A well-respected voice with some 30 years in the advice industry, you can find Tim generously sharing his knowledge at industry events when he is not busy managing the day-to-day activities of his firm.

A member of a number of industry committees dedicated to the future of the advice industry, this year marks the fourth in a row that Ben has made the FS Power50. A passionate advocate for further education, Ben openly encourages his fellow advisers to embrace study, believing the future is bright for advice.

Tim Townsend

FSPOWER50 2020

Ben Travers

Entries are in alphabetical order.

37

The 2020 Entries

Stevie-Jade Turner

Charlie ViolaÂ

Tribeca Financial

Pitcher Partners

One of Stevie-Jade’s biggest achievements was having the opportunity to mentor young people interested in finance, business and financial planning. She has helped hundreds of young people work out what future career will suit them best based on their skills and interests. Stevie also takes a huge amount of pride in working with Big Brothers and Big Sisters Australia in their Young Achiever Program. She believes the only difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.

Charlie is one of the most respected financial advisers in Australia and a wealth of knowledge on many topics that impact the industry. He advises on approximately $1.8 billion, providing clarity and assurance to high net worth individuals, families, charities and universities. Charlie is regularly featured across all forms of media, whether it be for his investing expertise or his second love, race car driving.

Stevie-Jade Turner

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

Charlie Viola

The 50 most influential financial advisers in Australia

Cara Williams

James WortleyÂ

Perrier Ryan

Enlightened Financial Solutions

An emerging leader in the financial advice industry through her involvement in the AFA Genxt Committee and as Queensland chair of AFA Inspire, Cara is actively involved in the industry’s philanthropic programs, and has received a distinguished service award from the FPA for her involvement with Future2. Cara is passionate about inspiring young women to consider financial advice as a career.

Honesty and reliability are top priorities for James. He started his own business in 2007 after working for Westpac for nine years. The business has won many awards over the past five years with the highlight being one of the three finalists in the FPA Professional Practice of the Year awards. James runs his business like he runs marathons; with hard work and determination.

@_cara_williams

FSPOWER50 2020

@JamesWortleyEFS

Entries are in alphabetical order.

39

The 2020 Entries

James Wrigley

Chris Youssef

First Financial

Shadforth Financial Group

James is part of a new breed of financial advisers, turning to social media to educate a younger demographic and help those in the wealth building phase of their financial journey. He regularly volunteers at RMIT and Deakin University to help students looking to enter the financial services industry.

James feels strongly about helping those in the wealth building phase reach their full potential, but says it’s not all about the money; it’s about helping people lead more fulfilling lives.

Citing financial advice as his dream career, Chris has been working in advice since 2007, saying his clients are like an extension of his family. When not working, Chris dedicates much of his time to further study and regularly volunteers in charity events through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

This is his first time in the FS Power50.

@the_wrigler

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Entries are in alphabetical order.

@MrChrisYoussef

Don’t just do your CPD, discover your professional potential Available for individual and corporate subscribers Administrators can upload exams and build training plans FASEA reporting functionality Access to hundreds of hours of FPA and CPE accredited content Content from Australian and international thought leaders Claim CPD from events Track your progress via the live dashboard Device-friendly user interface Access to whitepapers, video, audio and event material Access to FS TechZone, your technical resource library

To request a demonstration call 1300 884 434 or visit www.financialstandard.com.au and click ‘FS Aspire CPD’

The selection process 2019 Entries

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FS Power50

In compiling this list, we define “influential” as individuals who have been, or continue to be, instrumental in shaping the future of the financial advice industry.

These are financial advisers who have actively participated in industry-based activities, community-based projects and/or other initiatives designed to promote the important role that financial advisers play in the country’s socio-economic future.

They could be active participants of relevant industry associations, financial advisers with a strong social media following, or those known among their peers and the industry as role models in the way they conduct their professional practice.

They are also successful business owners,

individuals. This list was screened to remove nominees who may have been financial advisers but are no longer practising. Only financial advisers who are listed on the ASIC Financial Advisers Register (FAR) are eligible for nomination.

All shortlisted candidates were screened, for the third time, to ensure they meet minimum professional educational qualifications; are members of at least one industry association and have no disciplinary actions against their name under ASIC FAR. This took us to 130 nominees. They were given a two-week window to encourage their networks to vote and to complete a due diligence form requested by Financial Standard.

The votes were collated and Financial Standard’s data team screened the votes to ensure there

award winners, policy influencers, mentors and educators.

As part of the selection process, we invited relevant industry associations to nominate outstanding members of their associations and combined that list with the list of nominations from the Financial Standard editorial and research teams. Financial Standard nominated outstanding advisers based on feature and profile stories published in FS Advice – The Australian Journal of Financial Planning.

Then we opened up the nomination process to Financial Standard readers, ensuring that the net is cast to the widest set of nominees.

We received hundreds of nominations including multiple nominations for the same

are no votes from “bots” or unverifiable email addresses.

The fourth and final screen was conducted by the editorial team. They verified the information initially provided in the nomination forms and did their own research using publicly available information to determine the finalists’ sphere of influence. That, combined with the votes ranking, was factored into selecting the final 50.

Finally, as an added precautionary measure following the ASIC FAR screen and editorial research, Financial Standard requested the assistance of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) to confirm that no one on the FS Power50 has breached their respective membership rules.

FSPOWER50 2020

43

The 2019 How to beEntries an FS Power50 adviser

The FS Power50 pays tribute to a select group of financial advisers who have been

most diverse range of dealer groups to date.

The majority of these advisers, a total of 33,

nominated by their peers and our own editorial team as being instrumental in shaping the future of financial advice in Australia.

This year’s group features many rising stars of the industry while also recognising those who have come before them and continue to make their mark.

Becoming an influencer isn’t something that happens overnight.

Of the 50 advisers on our list, 65% (32 advisers) have between 10 and 14 years of experience. There are 11 advisers on this list with more than 15 years’ experience.

The move away from institutionally aligned licensees is a trend that has been accelerating in the industry, and this year’s list shows the

are licensed by an AFSL with less than 100 advisers.

Here’s a glimpse of what a Power50 influencer would look like in 2020, based on our analysis.

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Changing the channel The 2020 Power50 boast an average of 3217 LinkedIn followers, up significantly from an average of 1984 last year. Pivot Wealth’s Ben Nash has the most LinkedIn followers, with an impressive 17,982.

While LinkedIn is the preferred social media platform for many advisers, Twitter and Instagram are also used by many of the advisers on this list.

FS Power50

The average Twitter following for the Power50 is 1129 and the average Instagram following is 1315. Zella Wealth’s Victoria Devine is the most followed on Instagram with a community of 10,000. Her podcast, She’s on the Money, has more than 63,000 followers on Instagram.

Julia Shortinghuis is also making her mark on the airwaves with the release of her podcast, The Good Money Habits. And, Nash has launched a podcast too - How to be Successful with Money.

Nash is having an impact in broadcast TV too, appearing on Sunrise and partnering up with David Koch for Your Money & Your Life.

Dawn Thomas is making her voice heard in a new way. She’s recently started producing videos for social media spanning explainers of financial concepts to fun cooking videos.

Many of the women on our list are there because of their commitment to helping other women to overcome financial challenges.

For example, Donna Lee Powell established her practice after the death of her husband left her at a loss for what to do financially. DLP Life Design now specialises in making sure other women don’t experience the same uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Nicole Heales caters to single women – a demographic historically overlooked by the financial advice industry.

Another adviser on this list, Kate McCallum, published a book she co-authored called The Joy of Money this year. David Reed, meanwhile, has written two books: 50 tips for over 50s and So You Think You Are Ready To Retire.

masters degrees and 51% with a bachelor’s degree. A further 4% of the advisers on the list obtained an honours degree.

This year, there are more new entrants to the Power50 than ever before. For 23 of the advisers on the list, this is their first time. For 10 of the advisers on the list it’s only their second time.

But, the Power50 still demonstrates a wealth of experience. Amazingly, Brett Evans has appeared in the Power50 seven times.

Jenny Brown has been on the list six times and Marshall Brentnall, David Reed and Liam Shorte have all been on the list five times.

Setting the a-gender Typically male-dominated, the financial services industry has not always been an easy place for women to shine.

In 2020, female advisers make up 38% of the FS Power50. This is the same proportion of women on the list as last year. But, in 2019 there were 6% more female advisers on the list than in 2018 so progress is still being made.

FSPOWER50 2020

Top of the class Last year, the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) requirements came into effect. This year, the vast majority of financial advisers on this list have already sat and passed the FASEA exam.

It is a highly educated list, with 24% holding

45

Snapshot: Meet the 2020 FS Power50 The majority of the FS Power50 (80%) have a bachelor’s degree or higher

Bachelor’s

26

Masters

12

Diploma

7

Adv. Diploma

3

Honours

2

Women represent 38% of this year's Power50

38%

Female

62%

32% belong to an advice group with more than 100 advisers, down 22% in the last two years

Male

13.4 vs 11.8 Average number of years in the industry

Younger advisers are shaking up the industry

11

have 15+ years experience

46

32

have 5+ years experience

Source: 2020 FS Power 50, Financial Standard

6

have less than five years experience

FS Power50

Average number of followers on social media

LinkedIn

3217

Twitter

Instagram

1315

1129

Victoria has the most members in the 2020 FS Power50 with 20

Almost half (23) of the class of 2020 are in the FS Power50 for the first time.

Seven years

1

Six years

1

Five years

3

Four years

6

Three years

6

Two years

10

First time

23

FSPOWER50 2020

218

Advisers are FS Power50 alumni

Source: 2020 FS Power 50, Financial Standard

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Quotable quotes

We want to help people irrespective of their age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or income.We want to be seen as an organisation that works with everyone that has goals and wants to put a plan in place to get there.

Always be curious, always be questioning, and always try to understand the world of money and how everything works in financial matters.

Sue Dahn

Glen Hare

Money is not the most important thing in life, and it does not bring happiness.

However, it does give us security, choice and freedom. I guess when you have less money you learn to be grateful and mindful of the simple experiences in life.

When someone’s able to give you their trust, I think that’s one of the most important gifts they can give you and you have to honour that. I feel it’s a very privileged position to be in, to be able to help someone and get them to their goals.

Dawn Thomas

Donna Lee Powell

I found myself wondering why I would be putting clients into stocks that I personally thought were harming the planet, its people and the environment.

Karen McLeod

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Source: 2020 FS Power 50, Financial Standard

Now people are going to university with the dream of being a financial adviser.That puts us in a great position going forward as we want to become a profession.The more you help people, and the more you eliminate that sales culture, the closer we’ll get to becoming a genuine profession.

Hugh Robertson

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