Pro Bono Financial Advice Network appoints new Chair, Deputy

Nicola Beswick

The Pro Bono Financial Advice Network (PFAN) is pleased to announce the appointment of existing Board members, Nicola Beswick as Chair, and Natalie Kleibert as Deputy Chair.

Ms Beswick and Ms Kleibert will be responsible for leading PFAN into the next phase of its purpose – improving the financial wellbeing of Australians living with serious illness and/or disability by providing pro bono financial advice. Western Australian financial adviser, Stephen Knight, has also joined the Board.

“I am privileged to take on the role of Chair of PFAN,” Ms Beswick said. “As a financial adviser I understand the many small, yet powerful actions that people can take to change their financial future, and by their very nature, the course of their lives.”

Established in 2014, PFAN is a trusted network of industry professionals who are focused on providing pro bono financial advice to those in need. Advisers connected to PFAN provide trusted, quality financial advice that improves the sense of security for these clients.

In 2016, PFAN partnered with MS Queensland to provide pro bono financial advice to people with MS who had identified financial advice as one of their most needed services. PFAN has also formed a partnership with MS Limited, who provide services to those located in Victoria, NSW, ACT and Tasmania.

Ms Beswick succeeds Nick Hakes, who has stepped down as PFAN Chair after four years of service, but remains on as Treasurer. Tim Meggitt has stepped down as a director after seven years.

“I’d like to thank Tim for his contribution and many years of service. I’d also like to extend a special thank you to Nick for leading the Board with passion and enthusiasm during his time as Chair,” Ms Beswick said. “I am looking forward to working with him and the rest of the Board in continuing to grow the PFAN network and promoting the value and the positive difference that our PFAN advisers are delivering to individuals living with multiple sclerosis.”

Ms Beswick, a financial adviser, based in Melbourne, Victoria, said supporting people, particularly when they are experiencing a health crisis, highlights the importance of the work of advisers.

“I have a deep personal understanding of this as my dad was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis many years ago,” she said. “An income protection policy changed his financial future. This is why I am passionate about leading PFAN and the work we do to support the MS community.”

Ms Beswick also thanked TAL and the Association of Financial Advisers, who provide support with PFAN’s administration and operations.

During the pandemic this year, 17 clients have been connected with a PFAN adviser.

“It is pleasing to see we are connecting individuals who are living with multiple sclerosis, who cannot otherwise afford or access financial advice, with a PFAN adviser,” Ms Beswick said. “We have much more to do, to continue to promote the significant difference that financial advice can make, and to inspire other partners and advisers to join us on our important mission.”

Ms Beswick encouraged more advisers to make themselves available to support a pro bono advice case. “I welcome any adviser who wants to help someone in need to get in touch with us and find out how little of their own time it can take to support just one more person. They will be giving that person vital financial advice at a time when they need it. It’s often a small contribution that makes a massive difference.”

Other board members include Paul Harding-Davis, Brad Fox, Kate Humphries and Niall McConville.