Matthew Hawkins
The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has announced the appointment of Matthew Hawkins as chair of the AFA’s GenXt community of practice.
Mr Hawkins is a director and senior financial adviser at Scanlon Richardson Financial Group and is also the AFA’s Tasmanian State Director.
AFA CEO Brad Fox said he is delighted that Mr Hawkins has accepted the role which provides important national leadership to the next generation of financial advisers across Australia. “Matt is a great ambassador for GenXt. He has strong values and has also ready demonstrated terrific leadership skills through his involvement with the AFA in a range of capacities over recent years.”
GenXt was launched eight years ago by the AFA to support newer financial advisers in becoming successful as quickly as possible. It is the most successful initiative of its type. “The mandate for the GenXt community of practice is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, skills, experience and networks from experienced advisers to those building their career,” Mr Fox said.
The communities of practice concept, which also includes AFA Inspire and the AFA Leaders Forum, brings together groups of advisers who share a particular passion and range of challenges. Through the process of sharing information and experience within the group, members learn from each other and have an opportunity to develop themselves both personally and professionally.
Mr Hawkins said he is excited to lead GenXt and play a vital role in helping less experienced advisers to develop their careers. “The GenXt initiative is an open forum, built on collaboration, through which we ensure that the future of the profession is in good hands. It continues to attract great new advisers and aspiring practice owners.”
Mr Hawkins is supported by a national GenXt Committee including:
- NSW Sacha Loutkovsky
- VIC Matt Hale
- QLD William Burke
- TAS Lauren Miller
- WA Mark Rattigan
- SA Shaun Hunt
The GenXt program also offers younger advisers the opportunity to be a voice for the profession. “Like the AFA’s other communities of practice, GenXt provides a framework for members to step up and be a voice for their profession,” Mr Hawkins said. “There are so many changes facing advisers at the moment and GenXt is the means by which younger advisers, who will one day represent the majority of our profession, can be heard on important issues.”
Mr Hawkins will host the GenXt National Roadshow, which will launch in Tasmania and tour the country in the first two weeks of February 2015. “Regularly attracting around 1,400 attendees, the roadshow provides a kick-start to the planning year for younger financial advisers, offering them the opportunity to connect with other professionals, participate in market-leading CPD content, and be inspired to higher quality advice. Last year advisers rated it 84.7 out of 100 for quality and we sold out in three states. Advisers should put it in their diaries now.”
Dates for the GenXt roadshow are at http://www.afa.asn.au/eventsawards/afa-events. Registrations open 5 January 2015.