The new look Board of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), today confirmed the association remains fully focused on helping its members to address the very serious problems currently facing their clients including inadequate levels of retirement savings and chronic levels of underinsurance.
Incoming AFA National President and former AFA GenXt leader, Brad Fox, said that while debate around the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms is vitally important, the AFA is keenly aware that better consumer access to affordable advice is the ultimate aim.
“The AFA is and always has been an association of, by and for advisers,” Mr Fox said. “Through our relationships with licensees and individual members we represent around 7000 advisers and their clients. We are therefore fully focused on helping our members deliver quality outcomes for their clients – that is our sole reason for being.”
Mr Fox said that with a history dating back to 1946, it has been AFA advisers who have helped consumers come through tough times, time and time again. “We see ourselves as ambassadors for our clients,” he said. “Therefore, in our discussions with Treasury, in our discussions with ASIC and in our discussions with the Government, we will continue to be the consumer advocate, endorsing only those changes that help us to support our members in their goal to grow, manage and protect the wealth of their clients.”
Mr Fox said the real issues facing consumers include:
- having enough superannuation to enjoy a comfortable retirement
- making the right investment decisions in accordance with their risk tolerance
- having adequate comprehensive insurance to protect themselves against life’s uncertainties
- understanding the importance of superannuation
AFA CEO Richard Klipin said the AFA’s 2010-2012 Board represents a new generation of home-grown talent. “The inclusion of several members of our GenXt team brings a new energy to the AFA Board and shows the AFA’s capacity to grow and develop strong leaders within its own ranks,” Mr Klipin said. “The biggest issues our members face today are issues of leadership and voice – this Board has the drive, passion and commitment to continue to deliver on those issues and to face the many upcoming challenges posed by the FOFA reforms.”
The 2010-2012 AFA Board members include:
- Brad Fox, VIC – National President
- Adam Smith, WA – National Deputy President
- Dennis Bateman, QLD – National Treasurer (returning)
- Marc Bineham, NSW – NSW/ACT Director (returning)
- Michael Novak, QLD – QLD Director
- Esther Althaus, VIC – VIC Director (returning)
- Kevin Richardson, TAS – TAS Director
- David Sutherland, SA – SA/NT Director
- Kenn Williams, WA – WA Director
- Richard Klipin, NSW – CEO
