Providing a fresh perspective on money management

Siobhan Blewitt is a financial adviser who donates her time to chair and advise the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ (RACS) Investment Committee. With more than 25 years’ experience in equities, specialising in domestic and global stock markets, Siobhan provides a fresh and different perspective on money management. Siobhan’s company, Stellan Capital, helps family groups and businesses look after their money. She is passionate about helping her clients navigate the intricacies of markets and making it easy for them to interpret financial information. Three years ago, Siobhan became a member of RACS’ Investment Committee. RACS’ objectives tie in with her own beliefs and values, providing education and insight to help people. Siobhan’s interest in money matters started when she was in Year 10, after her family incurred a significant financial hardship. Financial literacy and independence became critical, and she started learning about the stock market, its relationship with the economy and the real world. A Hollywood movie about the stock market clinched the deal and at university she chose subjects that helped her in this pursuit – economics and commerce. Like many, Siobhan had a part-time waitressing job while at university, which paid her $12 an hour. “I learnt the value of money and invested my salary in the stock market, where my $12 might become $24 or zero – an understanding that was totally novel and opened up opportunities for me,” Siobhan said. At 21, she found herself working for a father–daughter team at a prominent Melbourne stockbroking firm. She worked there for 10 years as an assistant and apprentice. “With less than 10 per cent of women in stockbroking, I was lucky to be part of a forwardthinking team. My employer coached and mentored me – his daughter was an Olympic athlete so they brought a strong sense of sportsmanship and fair play to their business. He became my strongest advocate, and from him I learnt important skills and insights – the psychology behind people, winning and losing, and how to remain calm during good and bad times,” Siobhan said. Siobhan learnt how to read people, the conventions and protocols, when and how to engage, how to speak and communicate with different people who were typically much older and senior, all while honing her skills. “It was very important to learn how to get your message across in an appropriate and palatable way, to deliver the technical information and make it relevant and understandable,” Siobhan continued. “At the same time, I had to ensure that I built my reputation of being solid and consistent. All this takes time and 10 years just flew.” Having worked in large investment banks and now heading her own boutique wealth management business, Siobhan understands both start-ups and big business. This helps her to understand the industry and more effectively walk in her clients’ shoes. It is this experience Siobhan brings to RACS – to provide insight, and to challenge conventions or assumptions in markets. As part of the Investment Committee she assists the group that provides oversight and different perspectives on equities markets and investment opportunities. The goal is to ensure these always align to RACS’ core values and their investment philosophy. Siobhan provides “a different perspective and energy, a modern insight and overview of what is happening in the market. We have access to some of the smartest equity analysts in the country and we share these observations with

Siobhan Blewitt

RACS. It offers a broad perspective to the committee.” There are six honorary advisers on the Investment Committee along with representatives from RACS and the investment manager. Dr Greg Witherow, RACS Treasurer, finds their advice incredibly valuable. “As Treasurer, I am acutely aware of the importance of our Investment Committee to the health of College finances. The committee is chaired by Siobhan who, working pro-bono, is generous with her time and expertise. Siobhan and our other honorary advisers have consistently exceeded our investment benchmarks. “Their expertise has provided funding for work undertaken by the RACS Foundation for Surgery. All Fellows should be appreciative of the time and expertise they provide pro-bono to allow RACS to carry out its extensive funding obligations,” Dr Witherow said. Siobhan continued, “As volunteers we provide a forum of free-flowing ideas beyond one view and draw our different expertise to the conversation. We also learn from each other, as each one of us brings our own expertise and experience to the forum.” 