Ed Young

Integrated Financial Advice and Wealth Platform, Infocus, has appointed Dr Ed Young as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), reinforcing its commitment to technology-led advice and platform innovation.

Young commenced with Infocus on 16 February and is responsible for leading the firm’s technology strategy, architecture and operations across PlatformPlus, its integrated end-to-end wealth platform. As CTO, he will oversee digital innovation, data and analytics, cybersecurity and infrastructure, strengthening platform resilience and scalability for advisers and clients. Young will shape an AI‑led technology strategy that turns intelligence into a core capability across the complete Infocus and financial advice ecosystem.

Young brings more than 20 years’ experience developing and executing technology and digital transformation strategies across government, ASX-listed companies and multinational organisations. He has held senior technology leadership roles including Chief Information Officer at RMIT University Online, CrownBet and Jumbuck Entertainment, and Chief Technology Officer at Sportsbet.

Most recently, he served as Executive Director at Bluebird Advisory, where he led major data migration and cloud transformation programs, and delivered AI-enabled analytics strategies for government and enterprise clients aligned to business growth and operational efficiency.

Darren Steinhardt, Founder and Managing Director of Infocus said: “Infocus is in the business of the business of financial advice. Our role is to empower advisers with the infrastructure, technology and support they need to grow revenue, enhance operational efficiency and effectively manage risk, while remaining independent and client-first.

“As we continue to evolve PlatformPlus, our end-to-end integrated advice platform, Ed’s appointment ensures our technology strategy remains firmly aligned with our advice-led, client-obsessed philosophy. His deep experience across digital transformation, data and enterprise technology, combined with a strong commercial and stakeholder focus, will materially strengthen our capability as we continue building for sustained growth and scale across the Infocus network.

“We are very pleased to welcome Ed to Infocus and look forward to the leadership and momentum he will bring to this next phase of our evolution,” Steinhardt continued.

Commenting on his new role, Young said: “The advice sector has been through significant change in recent years with technology central to how firms operate, manage risk and support clients. The real opportunity is to simplify complexity, strengthen foundations and make it easier for advisers to run sustainable, high-quality businesses.

“What attracted me to Infocus is its clear commitment to supporting advisers with an integrated platform that genuinely connects advice, investment and operational infrastructure. PlatformPlus is well-established and differentiated, and I look forward to working with the team to continue enhancing advanced data capabilities and security in a way that is practical and meaningful for advisers.

“For me, this role is about building steady, scalable capability that supports long-term growth across the community, while keeping the focus where it belongs; on delivering great client outcomes,” Young concluded.

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Matthew Fogarty

National advisory firm, Infocus, has announced two senior appointments aimed at supporting the expansion of the firm’s revised operational model across Australia.

Seasoned financial advice sector executive Matthew Fogarty has been named Executive General Manager – Strategic Relationships, while Hayley Briggs has assumed the pivotal role of Chief Financial and Operating Officer. Each will add their considerable experience and leadership acumen to delivering best-in-class support for growing advice businesses.

The appointments reinforce the firm’s commitment to accelerating its national expansion, aligned with a vision to empower advisers, advisory practices, and license holders through a flexible, end-to-end advice model that fosters growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

Infocus Founder and Managing Director, Darren Steinhardt, said: “The financial advice sector is at a turning point and advisers need a trusted partner who not only understands their unique challenges but is deeply and actively invested in their success.

“Matthew and Hayley’s leadership will be key in advancing Infocus’ value proposition, driving innovation and delivering solutions that help advisers achieve client-first, best interest outcomes. We’re excited to welcome them and confident their expertise will be invaluable to the team.”

Matthew Fogarty – Executive General Manager, Strategic Relationships

A respected leader in Australian financial services, Matthew Fogarty brings over 25 years of experience in private wealth, financial planning and risk management. As Executive General Manager – Strategic Relationships, Matthew will lead the Infocus Partner Program (IPP), collaborating with advisory firms to deliver capital solutions, operational efficiencies and integrated support systems designed to drive long-term growth while keeping client needs at the core.

Commenting on his appointment, Matthew said: “Infocus is creating something totally unique in the Australian advice sector, offering Member, Partner and Enterprise partnership models that provide flexibility and industry-leading support for advisers at every stage of their journey.

“What really draws me to Infocus, though, is the strong, adviser-first community. It’s the power of being part of something bigger, where everyone is invested in each other’s success and in making high-quality advice more accessible to people across the country. I’m eager to be part of this journey and to help advisers grow their practices in a sustainable and highly professional way that helps lift the standards in our industry.”

Matthew has held senior leadership positions, including CEO of Fitzpatricks Private Wealth and Head of Private Wealth at Kelly+Partners Chartered Accountants. He was also a co-founder and director of The Encore Group, established in 2003 to provide specialist practice management, consulting and training services to the financial services industry, specifically for advice practices, dealer groups and institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Business and is an Affiliate of the Australian Insurance Institute.

Hayley Briggs – Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Hayley Briggs is a highly accomplished finance professional with experience spanning 27 years in senior financial leadership roles across leading global financial institutions. As Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Hayley is responsible for overseeing Infocus’ financial and operational performance, including financial planning, cash flow management, financial analysis and people & culture strategy.

Commenting on her appointment, Hayley said: “Infocus is at an exciting stage of growth as a national advisory firm, and I’m delighted to be part of the journey. I am impressed with the culture and its strong, community-driven approach. I look forward to contributing to the overall mission to help advisers succeed in a way that works for them, no matter where they are in their advisory practice, or what their business model looks like.

“I’m proud to be part of a company that’s built for the future and committed to delivering real value for advisers, advisory firms, and ultimately, their clients,” Hayley added.

Hayley has enjoyed a distinguished career with global financial institutions including JP Morgan, where she led strategic financial planning, forecasting and reporting functions. Her experience also includes senior roles at Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch, where she managed complex global financial operations and was instrumental in driving organisational transformations. Hayley is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA).

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Darren Steinhardt

National advisory firm Infocus took the wraps off an exciting revised national adviser business model, built to empower sustainable growth and flexible operations for financial advisers, advisory practices, license holders, and advisory enterprises across Australia.

With a unique end-to-end structure, the Infocus client integrated business model prioritises industry access to flexible and innovative solutions in three core areas: Advisory, Technology, and Investment Management.

Infocus Founder and Managing Director, Darren Steinhardt said: “Today begins an exciting and important chapter in the growth journey for our national firm. We are today a national advisory firm with multiple new touchpoints, service and execution options for financial advisers and their clients.

“At the heart of this is a carefully constructed commercial approach that seeks to deliver high-quality advice outcomes and hand hard-working financial advisers greater freedom to choose intuitive options in support of their own commercial success and partnerships with us.”

Mr Steinhardt said early focus groups had shown advisers seek to do business with advice-centric partners who have ‘walked in their shoes’.

“This means we are open for business as a firm built by advisers for advisers. From fully autonomous advisory practice models to collaborative partnerships – each can benefit from tailored technology, investment solutions, and operational support for sustainable growth.

“That’s essentially what sets us apart from the traditional dealer group or licensee – we’re a home for every adviser, no matter their business model or stage,” Steinhardt said.

Key elements of Infocus’ strategic offering

• Flexible partnership models: Three distinct models – Member, Partner, and Enterprise – cater to different adviser needs.
  • Member Model: Full control with the option to be Infocus-licensed or self-licensed, plus access to on-demand support.
  • Partner Model: Advisers collaborate with Infocus for technology, investment solutions, and operational support, with Infocus as a capital partner covering both equity options.
  • Enterprise Model: Scalable solutions for larger businesses, leveraging Infocus’ technology and infrastructure.
• End-to-end scalable growth support: A fully client integrated advice, technology, and investment framework that enhances efficiency and ensures best-interest client outcomes. The ‘Infocus Playbook’ provides advisers with ‘best practice’ practical strategies to drive sustainable growth and scale their businesses while delivering high-quality advice.
• Seamless technology infrastructure: Platformplus is the industry’s only fully integrated advice technology ecosystem with the client at its heart, allowing advice professionals to deliver excellence in client experience, excellence in advice process and practice management, and excellence in AFSL governance, oversight and AFSL management.
• Collaborative national community: Infocus fosters a collaborative national community where advisers, employees, and stakeholders share knowledge and resources, all supported by a firm founded by advisers with decades of experience building successful financial advisory practices throughout Australia.

Addressing the profession’s challenges

With rising costs and regulatory complexity driving the median annual advice fee to $3,960, only 10% of Australians receive professional advice – leaving approximately $3.6 trillion in unmanaged assets. Infocus aims to close this gap through scalable, technology-led solutions and a supportive national community.

Darren Steinhardt described Infocus’ refreshed approach as progressive step for the advice sector, offering sustainable, intelligent solutions to support advice provision, practice growth and a resilient financial advice profession.

“Advisers today need more than just compliance and licensing – they need a full suite of tools and support to help them grow and scale their business on their terms,” said Steinhardt.

Speaking at the Infocus iCON25 conference in Adelaide, a gathering of business owners, professional advisers and industry partners, Steinhardt outlined the firm’s vision for revolutionising the way advisers operate and grow in the profession.

“For too long, advisers have been weighed down by onerous regimes, restrictive business models and processes, with fragmented technology that limits their potential. That’s why we built an end-to-end proposition, with the client at its heart, that’s anything but one-size-fits-all. Our approach is uniquely designed for the evolving advice professional – no one else offers what we do.

“Advisers don’t just gain access to our proven market leading technology that is also award-winning, and NPS positively rated,” Steinhardt explained. “They also benefit from advanced functionalities coming through our system – like one of Australia’s best financial modelling tools.

“It’s time to ease the known choke points restricting the Australian advice sector. We are perfectly placed to enhance the support our existing 200-plus advisers receive and welcome many more advisers, advisory firms, or self-licensed firms seeking a better model,” Steinhardt continued.

“Advisers shouldn’t have to choose between autonomy and support. With Infocus, they can have both,” Steinhardt concluded.

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Founder and Managing Director, Darren Steinhardt confirmed, ‘We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Mr Steve Davis to the position of Chief Commercial Officer for Infocus.’

Steinhardt added, ‘Steve is an experienced, enthusiastic financial services professional, a great team player, and someone who will bring outstanding commercial acumen and strategic direction to our business.

Using his talent, expertise and fresh perspective, Steve will help execute our growth plans, help Infocus and our advisers maximize the opportunities we’ve identified in the market and no doubt, find new and exciting ways to ensure we build on our positive momentum well in to our future.’

‘We believe Steve will be a great cultural fit for Infocus, partly because, like the majority of our senior leadership team, he has spent time as a financial adviser which helps him to have real empathy with the challenges our advisers face in helping clients achieve their financial and lifestyle goals.

Steve also passionately believes in the difference that good advice can make to clients and as such is very well-aligned with Infocus.

It is understood Mr Davis will take up the newly created CCO position from 1 August, based at the Infocus head office in the enviable lifestyle location of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

‘The appointment of Steve Davis, together with our announcements last week that Jeff Mitchell will join us as Chief Investment Officer, and Craig Meldrum as Head of Technical Services, signals our clear intent for a future focused on advice and a team resourced with outstanding talent across the Infocus business,’ concluded Steinhardt.

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Darren Steinhardt

Infocus Wealth Management has pulled off a stunning coup, snaring senior executives Jeff Mitchell and Craig Meldrum from a rival dealer group.

Mitchell has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Investment Officer, while Meldrum will be Head of Technical Services for the Group.

Infocus has been riding a wave of positive momentum since company founder, Darren Steinhardt returned to an operational role as Managing Director late last year. The appointment of Mitchell and Meldrum further strengthens Infocus’ determination to be an adviser-focused dealer group of choice.

Steinhardt is understandably thrilled with the dual recruitment stating “Infocus is proud of our foundations and proud to be an adviser-focused group. With the addition of outstanding professionals the calibre of Jeff and Craig to our leadership, we strengthen that position further. Both are experts in their respective fields, but just as importantly, they have each practiced as advisers so they understand and appreciate both the opportunities and challenges that face our industry. Like us, they agree Infocus is a great place to be in the current environment”.

Jeff Mitchell is highly regarded in Investment and Research circles, joining Infocus after more than 20 years in the industry with the last 6 years at Australian Unity and previously with Standard & Poor’s Wealth Management Services. Jeff will report directly to the Managing Director and join the Infocus executive leadership team. In his role as CIO, he will bring a wealth of experience across investment, research, asset management, governance and operational considerations.

Craig Meldrum as Head of Technical Services will lead a high calibre in-house function providing advice, strategy, tools, and quality technical leadership to the significant benefit of our 160-strong national adviser network. In addition, Craig will also lead the development and implementation of our end-to-end advice process. Craig also joins the Infocus executive leadership team.

Steinhardt added, “Infocus occupies a trusted position as the primary adviser for the entire financial lives of our customers. We are confident Jeff and Craig will make a material difference to our ability to do that at the highest possible standard and in the best interests of our clients. “

“The appointment of Jeff Mitchell and Craig Meldrum to our Infocus team signals our clear intention to resource ourselves for an exciting future”.

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Darren Steinhardt

Infocus has presented the Starlight Children’s Foundation with a cheque for $8340.50. Speaking at their national head office on the Sunshine Coast, Infocus Managing Director Darren Steinhardt said “As Financial Advisers, we work hard to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients.

“With the Starlight Foundation, we have been given the opportunity to also make a positive difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families”.

Steinhardt added, “The values of the Starlight Foundation and the amazing work they do really resonates with our team and with our financial adviser network. We are incredibly proud to offer this donation today”.

Accepting the cheque, Tracey Tomlin, State Partnerships Manager of Starlight Foundation said “With this generous donation from the Infocus team, we will help brighten the lives of 213 seriously ill children and their families! Thank you Infocus.”

Tomlin continued “We rely on support such as this to help us deliver our in-hospital and community programs and we would not be able to do what we do without amazing organisations and individuals like you all”.

The Infocus team voted to select Starlight Foundation as their Charity of the Year and the cheque represents donations made in the past 12 months by Infocus staff through their fortnightly salary giving option, as well as money raised through fundraising initiatives with the nationwide network of financial advisers licensed through Infocus.

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Roy McKelvie, Chairman of the Board of Directors said “The Board would like to thank Rod for his Leadership over the last 6 years. During his tenure the company has expanded organically and through acquisition, growing on our national network of financial advisory practices providing financial advice solutions to clients all around Australia. This has been a period of substantial change in the financial services industry and Rod has ensured that the company is well placed to capitalise on the opportunities these changes will represent. He leaves with our best wishes for the future”.

Rod Bristow commented “I am proud of my time as CEO at Infocus. Not only has the company grown to become a stronger national organisation delivering wealth management solutions to Australians from all walks of life, but it is now seen as a leader in terms of compliance, use of technology, breadth of service and the efficiency of the delivery of financial advice solutions for clients. I will be taking some time out personally between now and the New Year, I wish the company well on its next stage of growth.”

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Rod Bristow

Infocus is pleased to announce its acquisition of leading financial advice business Announcer.

Announcer currently has offices in Sydney and Brisbane providing financial advice, mortgage broking and property advisory for clients, and adds its particular flair to Infocus’ growing national footprint.

Infocus Managing Director and CEO Rod Bristow says Announcer is a perfect fit for the business.

“Announcer becoming part of Infocus provides us with fantastic industry thought leadership, innovation in client service and access to a holistic client service offering covering financial advice, mortgages and property advisory,” Mr Bristow said.

“Announcer helps deliver on our vision of empowering every day Australians to live their best life through convenient access to affordable financial advice,” he said.

Announcer was started in 1996 by founder and CEO Andrew Rocks. It has since grown into one of Australia’s leading financial advisory firms with an award-winning culture and service model and a dedicated team driven to help clients achieve their goals.

“I started Announcer as a way to help those families like my own, to take control of their financial lives through proactive budgeting and tackling the tough personal financial decisions,” Mr Rocks said.

“This acquisition represents the next chapter for Announcer and we’re thrilled to join the Infocus team to continue empowering Australians to grow their wealth,” he said.

Infocus’ commitment to compliance and innovation were key drivers for the decision.

“We are impressed by Infocus’ governance, systems and software including award-winning CRM and advice process management software Platformplus. This will help us with substantial efficiencies in delivering our holistic advice model”.

Announcer will be co-branded to be identified as part of the Infocus Group. It will become the Sydney link in Infocus’ national salaried advice strategy, joining offices already established in Melbourne, Brisbane, Maroochydore and Townsville.

Announcer will continue to deliver its holistic service model to current and new clients and all staff will remain with the Announcer business. Mr Rocks will report directly to Infocus’ Managing Director and CEO Rod Bristow and become part of Infocus’ national leadership team.

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Rod Bristow

With their demonstrated commitment to innovation in the financial advice space, Infocus has recently updated its holistic finance practice management software Platformplus with digital signature technology.

Following a consultation with Infocus Group Financial Advisers, clients can now download and review advice online, then sign off via their mobile device.

This technology is the latest addition to the comprehensive Platformplus client management suite, which also includes account management, portfolio summaries, a unique Product Disclosure Statement library, straight-through-processing for client investments and a comprehensive client portal where clients can complete FDS and opt-in online – all cutting down on time and paperwork for busy financial advisers.

“There is a lot of talk in the industry at the moment about technology and how fast it’s moving”, said Infocus Managing Director and CEO Rod Bristow.

“Our team are constantly developing new and exciting additions to the system, so advisers who use Platformplus can be assured they are utilising the latest technology,” he said.

Platformplus was developed by advisers and our in-house I.T. team. The system has been designed specifically for financial advice businesses, offering efficient and compliant provision of advice and client engagement and management.

“One of the benefits of Platformplus is that it’s a turnkey solution for advisers. They don’t need anything else to run their business, other than their email,” Mr. Bristow said.

“It’s a one-stop-shop for advisers to manage their entire business, from CRM through client engagement, advice process management, compliance and reporting.”

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Rod Bristow

After winning the national tender to partner with H&R Block in December 2016, a pilot program offering no obligation wealth management services to H&R Block tax and accounting clients in South-East Queensland was launched.

In nine weeks of running the pilot contacting nearly 20,000 H&R Block clients, Infocus has seen a 20% uptake in H&R Block clients wishing to discuss superannuation consolidation, retirement planning and personal family insurance needs with an Infocus Group financial adviser.

Given the success of the pilot, the program will be rolled out nationally in August this year. Ahead of the national roll-out, individual H&R Block offices at over 300 locations around the country will be introduced directly to their local Infocus Group financial adviser. This ‘Meet and Greet’ program will build strong relationships between the H&R Block management and accounting teams and Infocus Group advisers.

“A partnership is all about trust,” Mr. Bristow said. “The opportunity for our advisers to meet their local H&R Block Office Managers and Accountants builds rapport, helping H&R Block feel confident in referring their clients to us.”

The national Meet and Greet will commence this week in Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Plans are also underway to link regional H&R Block offices with their local Infocus Group financial adviser prior to the start of the tax season.

Managing Director and CEO of Infocus, Rod Bristow said, “This is a great opportunity for H&R Block clients to receive accessible, affordable financial advice to help them live their best life.”

“It’s also a huge opportunity for our growing number of Infocus Group advisers to help clients who may never have considered seeking financial advice previously,” he said. “During the pilot program we have onboarded a number of advisers in South East Queensland to service the demand from H&R Block clients for quality financial advice. With the national rollout from August, we are actively seeking qualified, experienced and personable financial advisers right around the country to join the Infocus Group”.

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