Jenny Brown

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA)’s most prestigious accolade – the AFA Adviser of the Year Award (the Award) – has been presented to Jenny Brown from JBS Financial Strategists.

The Award recognises advisers who demonstrate outstanding leadership, advocacy and innovation.

Speaking at the Gala Dinner at the AFA Conference on the Gold Coast last night, AFA CEO, Brad Fox said the AFA is very pleased to announce Ms Brown as the overall winner and said the future of the financial advice profession is set to thrive with her as a role model.

“Jenny is an outstanding inspiration for other advisers and we believe that through her leadership and mentoring roles she will help the advice profession to develop, mature and prosper,” he said.

Ms Brown, who was also nominated for the Award in 2012, is Head of Strategy, Senior Financial Adviser and Owner of JBS Financial Strategists in Melbourne. She is an active member of the AFA community, mentoring a young adviser in the AFA’s mentoring program and is also a dynamic member of the AFA Inspire – Connecting Women in Advice program.

Mr Fox said the standard of nominations and finalists for this Award was outstanding and a true testament to financial advice maturing as a profession. “We believe that by recognising the talents of the best financial advisers in Australia and sharing these with the broader community we will create the environment where great advice can be provided to more Australians,” he said.

Mr Fox also thanked Zurich for their ongoing support of the Award, now in its 11^th year.

Philip Kewin, GM Retail Life & Investments from award partner Zurich said, “Zurich is committed to championing those elite advisers who go above and beyond the call of duty for their clients and the profession and are proud to have supported the AFA’s Adviser of the Year Award since its inception in 2003. We congratulate Jenny on her dedication to the industry as a professional and good corporate citizen.”

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Brad Fox

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has named the finalists in the prestigious 2013 AFA Adviser of the Year Award (the Award), proudly supported by Zurich.

The Award, now in its 11^th year, recognises leadership, advocacy and innovation in the financial services industry and is proving there is no shortage of professional financial advisers striving for success at an individual and industry level.

AFA CEO, Brad Fox, said the six finalists had undergone a rigorous 360-degree assessment process. “The finalists are judged on education, experience and contribution to the industry,” he said.

This includes elements such as the use of technology and processes in their business, their client feedback process, complaints handling procedures, business cashflow management and business planning techniques.

“This is an opportunity to not only recognize the outstanding abilities of the final six, but also to acknowledge the significant number of nominations for the Award from right across Australia,” Mr Fox said. “The nominations are becoming more difficult to judge each year, with many more advisers demonstrating their skills and talents and providing an example for others to emulate.”

Colin Morgan, CEO of Zurich’s Life and Investments business, sponsors of the Award since its inception in 2003, said the industry has experienced significant change and this year’s finalists demonstrate the exceptional standard of advice that continues to be delivered to clients.

“The finalists have seemingly done the impossible, adapting to a changing environment while continuing to reach the pinnacle of professional self-development and client centricity,” he said. “Zurich is delighted to continue championing adviser excellence by sponsoring the Award for the 11^th year running.”

The 2013 AFA Adviser of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, 15 October 2013 at the AFA National Conference at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

The six finalists are:

• Justine Back, Back to Back Financial Planners, New South Wales
• Jenny Brown, JBS Financial Strategists, Victoria
• Kylie Wright, Ulton Financial Planning, Queensland
• Mark Rando, Rando & Associates, Western Australia
• Rory Mooney, Wealth By Design, South Australia
• William Bracey, Sydney Financial Planning, New South Wales

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In announcing the launch of the 2012 award, Colin Morgan, CEO of Zurich’s  Life and Investments business, paid tribute to the many nominees, finalists and winners who have helped give this award much cache and prestige over the last 10 years, cementing its place as the Australia’s premier adviser award.

“Zurich partnered with the AFA back in 2003 to launch this award, and we are delighted to see that as we celebrate the 10th year of the award, it continues to go from strength to strength,” said Mr Morgan.

“Our ambition back then was to help advisers get the recognition they deserve and also engender a spirit of innovation and optimism that would drive increased professionalism and a more positive profile for financial advisers overall, “ he said.

AFA CEO Richard Klipin said, “We are delighted with the way in which the award has developed. Zurich has been a fantastic partner in this annual showcase and search for adviser talent. We are seeing a profession in transition and each year the competition gets tougher. This is a great outcome for the profession, the industry and the clients who get looked after year after year.

“The honour roll of finalists and winners includes some of the true leaders, pioneers and visionaries of the financial advisory community,” Mr Klipin added.

Nominations for the award close on July 31, and can be made at www.adviseroftheyear.com.au

A number of initiatives have been planned to celebrate the award’s 10th anniversary, including special commemorative trophies for nominees, a series of cocktail events around Australia and a video tribute to previous winners, which can be viewed at youtube.com/zurichaustralia

Zurich and the AFA have also dipped into their archives and in the lead up to the award will share some of the photographic images gathered over the last 10 years, allowing visitors to the Zurich and AFA websites to take a ‘trip down memory lane’.

Award Facts – Key Dates
1. Nominations open: 1 June-31 July
2. Submissions from nominees due: 7 August
3. Phone interviews and selection of shortlist: 13-23 August
4. Shortlist announced: 27 August
5. Onsite judging of shortlisted nominees: 3-14 September
6. Finalists announced: 24 September
6. Finalist showcase in Sydney: 5 October
7. Winner announced AFA Gala Dinner, Gold Coast: 30 October

Award Facts – Judging Panel
1. Brad Fox, President, AFA
2. Richard Klipin, CEO, AFA
3. Peter Sobels, Director, Riskinfo
4. Graham Peatey, Managing Director, Encore Group
5. Dr Rebecca Sheils, Leading Practices Program Director, Beddoes Institute
6. Kristine Wade, Head of Sales, Zurich Life and Investments
7. Marc Fabris, National Manager, Sales Strategies and Research

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