Christine Swanson

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has appointed Christine Swanson, Director of Prominent Financial Services, as Chair of its AFA Inspire initiative.

Launched last year by the AFA, AFA Inspire plays a vital role in connecting women in financial advice.

AFA President and former Chair of AFA Inspire, Deborah Kent, said Ms Swanson shares the AFA’s commitment to celebrating women in the financial advice profession and providing them with the guidance and support they need to succeed professionally and personally.

“We are delighted that Christine has been appointed Chair and we know she will continue to build on what is already the leading initiative for women in the advice profession,” Ms Kent said. “Under Christine’s stewardship, AFA Inspire will continue to nurture a community of individuals who are passionate about empowering more women to establish and develop their careers as a financial adviser or as a support role to the delivery of financial advice.”

Ms Kent said Ms Swanson has been part of AFA Inspire since it’s inception. She is a founding member of the national Inspire team representing South Australia and a Finalist in the 2012 AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award.

“Christine has already made a wonderful contribution to the South Australia AFA Inspire initiative, running regular breakfast events which have opened up valuable networking and professional development opportunities,” she said. “She will now be leading the AFA Inspire team at a national level to deliver more networking, coaching, mentoring, leadership and personal growth opportunities.”

AFA Inspire is part of the AFA’s Communities of Practice that also includes GenXt (for newer advisers) and Leaders Forum (for experienced advisers and practice owners). The Communities of Practice brings professional development opportunities to members of the AFA relevant to their personal circumstances.

The launch of AFA Inspire in WA is scheduled for 26 November 2014, with the 2014 AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award winner Kate McCallum sharing her experiences. The launch will complete the six state roll-out of AFA Inspire which began in May 2013.

The post AFA appoints new Inspire chair appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Kate McCallum

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and TAL have announced Kate McCallum of Multiforte Financial Services as the winner of the 2014 AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award (the Award).

AFA CEO, Brad Fox, said Ms McCallum is passionate about the advice profession and the value of quality financial advice and is an outstanding role model for fellow female advisers.

“Kate was an exemplary candidate for the Award, and we are proud to have her as the winner for 2014,” he said. “The Award seeks to focus attention on financial advice as an excellent career pathway for women as well as to close the advice gap that exists between the willingness of Australian women to seek financial advice compared to that of men. Developing financial literacy with female clients and the confidence to make informed decisions that comes from that knowledge, is an important criteria for the Award.”

Mr Fox said the finalists, semi-finalists and nominees for the Award are all to be congratulated for their continued commitment to bringing great advice to more Australians. “These women will continue to help raise the profile of financial advisers and the great difference they make to the lives of their clients and their communities. The AFA, together with TAL, is delighted to be able to recognise them for this.”

Brett Clark, TAL Deputy Group CEO, said Ms McCallum was an outstanding candidate and deserving Award winner.

“We are proud to encourage and inspire women in the industry to be the best they can be,” he said. “All of the Award candidates are making meaningful contributions to their profession and their passion and dedication is profoundly impacting their communities and their clients. Kate typifies the best qualities of the advice community and her support and leadership for both her clients and her peers demonstrate how much she puts back into the profession.”

Commenting on her involvement in the Award process, Ms McCallum said, “The Award for me celebrates remarkable advice – the type of advice that is absolutely about the client and ultimately changes their life. It also offers the chance to tell the story of the ‘good guys and gals’ in advice.

“I’ve found the experience energising and also challenging. Challenging because you have to put yourself out there. It’s led me to reflect on what I have achieved and the areas where I am still striving. I’m very aware that excellence is a journey.”
The other finalists were:

• Adrienne Rush, Bendigo Financial Planning
• Dominique Bergel-Grant, Leapfrog Financial
• Sarah Riegelhuth, Wealth Enhancers

Ms McCallum will receive a full scholarship from Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) (valued at $12,000) to complete either a Postgraduate Certificate in Management or an Executive Education Leadership Development Program.

The post Kate McCallum wins AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Catherine Robson

A survey by Australia’s largest life insurer TAL has found that women rate a good job as the key to feeling financially secure.

The survey asked what made women feel financially secure and a ‘good and secure job’ came in at number one for 52% of women. Despite Australian’s love affair with the property market, less than one third of female respondents (32%) said owning a home was most important. This was ahead of a savings plan at 7%, having superannuation of at least $100,000 at 3% and financial protection via the various forms of life insurance at 2%. Five per cent did not know what was important.

TAL Life CEO Brett Clark said: “It is concerning, but perhaps not surprising that financial protection came in so low.  There are many broader studies pointing to low consumer awareness of insurance and financial protection.  It is also well recognised that the ability to earn an ongoing income is often an individual’s single largest asset. If your income stops through injury or illness and you don’t have any financial protection, then that can be catastrophic for individuals and families.?”

He said it is important for all Australians, women and men, to focus on all aspects of their financial situation as part of working towards feeling financially secure. “It is comforting to know women see their ability to earn an income as their most important asset but protecting that asset is the vital next step.”

Mr Clark also said there was quite a long way to go to ensure greater awareness and greater access to advice for women and address the challenges experienced by women when it comes to seeking financial advice. That is why both TAL and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) initiated the Female Excellence in Advice Award, which is currently seeking nominations.

Catherine Robson, winner of the AFA 2013 Female Excellence in Advice Award and founder of financial advisory firm Affinity Private, urged women to protect what they themselves see as one of their biggest assets. “The research shows that women have rightly identified employment income as an essential prerequisite to financial independence,” she said. “Most women I meet also recognise the importance of their income for their loved ones and carry a level of anxiety about what would happen if they were unable to work. I am proud that the financial advice industry, through the AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award and other initiatives, is encouraging talented advisers to help women turn that lingering anxiety into positive actions to preserve their independence and protect the ones they love.”

The AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award draws attention to the achievements of women in the financial advice profession and the valuable work they do in the community to deliver better financial outcomes for more women.

“The AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award contributes to the diversity debate by recognising the contributions of female financial advisers to the profession, community and the lives of consumers,” he said. “TAL believes that greater representation by women in financial advice is critical to ensure the advice profession properly mirrors community diversity and to help empower women to take more control of their financial future.

Nominations for the 2014 winner of the AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award close 8 August and the winner will be announced at the AFA National Conference on 14 October. Macquarie Graduate School of Management is offering this year’s AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award winner a full scholarship (valued at $12,000) to complete either a Postgraduate Certificate in Management or an Executive Education Leadership Development Program. All semi-finalists will have the opportunity to participate in a Leadership Master Class as part of the Award Program.

Most important in feeling financially secure – females

The post Women rate a secure job no. 1 for financial security appeared first on AdviserVoice.

The calibre of nominees is once again outstanding and the process of judging will commence shortly. 

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) is again impressed by the number of nominees. TAL is proud to be part of this important industry initiative and is set to host the judging and assessment process. Now in its second year, the Award invites members from across the industry to nominate outstanding female advisers they know or work with.

To be considered a nominee, female advisers need to:

• Be passionate and committed to their business and their clients
• Demonstrate leadership qualities
• Have proven business success
• Be a positive role model for other women in the industry and clients
• Have vision, integrity, self-awareness and work-life balance
• Support women in community
• Mentor and develop other women.

Richard Klipin, Chief Executive Officer of the AFA, said: “At a time when our industry is going through great change, it’s important for us to recognise and celebrate some of the outstanding new blood that’s coming through.”

Brett Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Life at TAL, said; “TAL is proud to sponsor this important industry initiative.  We are committed to it as an organisation because we believe in the value diversity brings to all businesses and professions.  The quality of the nominations again demonstrates the calibre of women seeking to make a difference in financial services.”

The winner of the Female Excellence in Advice Award will be announced at the AFA National Conference on Tuesday 30 October 2012.

The post Nominations up for this year’s AFA Female Excellence in Advice Awards appeared first on AdviserVoice.