Helen Blackford joins Nestworth to drive super firm strategy
AZ NGA-backed national advisory firm, Nestworth Financial Strategists, has appointed former Insignia Financial senior executive Helen Blackford as Chief Executive Officer to drive the group’s ambitious growth and expansion plans.
Blackford was most recently the CEO of Insignia Financial’s licensing and professional services businesses, Millennium 3, Lonsdale and IOOF Alliances. Prior to Insignia Financial, she held a number of senior roles at ANZ Wealth Management.
Blackford will replace Paul Fog, who is stepping back from full-time work but will remain on the Nestworth Board as a Non-executive Director. He will also continue his association with the broader AZ NGA Group.
Paul Barrett, Nestworth Chairman and AZ NGA CEO, said: “Helen is an experienced wealth management executive with a proven track record of leading large teams of people, driving transformational change and delivering results.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Helen on board at this critical time to take over from Paul, who has been central to Nestworth’s success to date and hands over a business in extremely good shape.”
Over the past five years, Nestworth has grown significantly under Fog’s leadership, more than doubling revenue and employees.
In 2021, Fog was behind the group’s strategic partnership with AZ NGA and has been spearheading Nestworth’s integrated Super firm strategy. M&A is a key plank in the group’s strategy, which last year saw Nestworth acquire Australian Unity’s financial advice and corporate superannuation services business.
Today, the group has 82 employees, around 4,000 clients and seven locations.
“At 53, having spent over 25 years in senior leadership roles, it is a good time for me to transition into the next stage of my career. This decision aligns with my personal lifestyle goals and objectives,” Fog said.
“Nestworth is in a strong position to continue growing and we are excited to have a capable and experienced leader in Helen to build on the solid foundation that already exists.”
Blackford added: “As a key business inside the AZ NGA community, Nestworth is in the best environment to continue growing and ultimately achieve its Super firm ambitions.”
“This is a well-run business, with a clear vision and strategy, and great people. I’ve led large, dynamic teams in previous roles, and I enjoy developing and nurturing talent. I’ve also successfully led organisations through periods of change and I am excited about the opportunity to lead Nestworth into the future and contribute positively to the broader AZ NGA group.”
