AZ NGA on fast track to achieve strategic objectives with senior appointments

Advice platform, AZ NGA, has made several senior executive appointments, significantly building out the group’s capabilities in human resources, finance, technology and transformation.

Tanya Dawson has been permanently appointed Chief People Officer, reporting to AZ NGA’s Group CEO, Paul Barrett.

Dawson joined AZ NGA in November 2025 as Acting Chief People Officer and has over 25 years of financial services and human resources experience. Her previous roles include Chief People Officer at ClearView, Cuscal Payments and Zurich Cover-More.

Former Head of Finance and Treasury at Cuscal Payments, Cormac Galvin has joined AZ NGA as General Manager, Finance and Transformation, reporting to AZ NGA Chief Financial Officer, Jodie Blackledge.

In the group’s operations team, former Chief Information and Digital Officer at Vital Business Partners, Shaun Nesbitt has been appointed Chief Technology Officer.

In his role, Nesbitt is responsible for driving AZ NGA’s ongoing digital transformation, spanning advice systems, data analytics and AI, and cyber security.

Former General Manager, Technology and Operations at Diverger, Sonya Choi La Rosa has been appointed Head of Business Improvement.

In her role, Choi La Rosa is responsible for building the group’s Advice Model Office, incorporating best practice processes, common technology and integrated change capability, with a focus on continuous improvement in experience and delivery.

Former Head of Managed Accounts and Alternatives at MLC, Neil Gellett, has been appointed Head of Product.

In his role, Gellett will develop AZ NGA’s product strategy, establish a robust product governance and oversight framework, and strengthen relationships with key investment, life insurance and platform partners.

Nesbitt, Choi La Rosa and Gellett report to Nathan Jacobsen, AZ NGA’s recently appointed Chief Operating Officer.

All three roles are newly-created positions, reflecting AZ NGA’s rapid growth and ambitious plans to build integrated Super firms, supported by centralised services and operations.

“AZ NGA is an ambitious, fast-growing business and we are investing heavily in our people and teams to ensure that we have the right skills and expertise to deliver significant benefits, achieve our objectives and targets, and continue growing and scaling,” Barrett said.

“Backed by a supportive Board, we have the plan, the funding and the people to execute our strategy and this is an exciting time for the business.”

Jacobsen said the group was focused on establishing the right foundations to support AZ NGA’s rapidly expanding network of accounting and advisory businesses to deliver quality advice at scale.

That involved consolidating systems, processes and service providers to maximise operational and cost efficiencies.

“We are looking to leverage our scale to deliver improved outcomes, not only in terms of the bottom line, but risk controls and client experience,” he said.

“Many of the areas that my team is focused on are not central to an adviser’s value proposition, they are back-office activities and functions, but they are critical in driving performance and underpinning long-term growth.”

Responsibility for driving front office growth initiatives, including the integration of Super firms and enhancing the group’s client value proposition, falls under AZ NGA’s Chief Growth Officer Chesne Stafford.

Stafford and her team work closely with member firms on areas including M&A, brand, marketing, pricing and offer design for client segments.