Zacary Leeson

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced the winners of the 2020 FPA Awards.

Now in its eighth year, the FPA Awards recognises exceptional financial planners, paraplanners, university students and FPA Professional Practices from across Australia.

The awards also celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding results for clients and give back to the community.

The winner of the coveted FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is Zacary Leeson CFP® of HPH Solutions in WA. The award acknowledges Zacary’s positive impact on the lives of his clients, as well as his inspirational work in the community through the charity, Leading Youth Forward.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said: “Zacary exemplifies our FPA membership as a modern professional financial planner who is client dedicated, university educated and an experienced CFP professional.  Zacary’s passion for the value of advice and his confidence shone through his presentation to the FPA Awards judges. He’s an incredible role model for young financial planners.”

The winner of the FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award is WA-based HPH Solutions (WA). The judges commented that the team at HPH Solutions embody the essence of a true FPA Professional Practice and said that the leaders and staff should be congratulated for the valued work they undertake for their new and loyal clients.

Winning the FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award for 2020 is Nat Daley AFP® of Hard Line Wealth (NSW). The judges noted that Nat demonstrated his premise of health, love and wealth in everything that he does – from the advice he provides his clients to the way he has established and developed his business with his partners.

This year, the FPA introduced a new FPA Advice Innovation Award to recognise members who have automated their advice process or used technology in new ways to engage with clients and/or deliver advice. The inaugural winner of this award is Corey Wastle CFP® of Verse Wealth (VIC). Corey and the team at Verse Wealth foster a culture of continual innovation, an incredible focus on attention to detail and a drive to continuously improve their business by removing inefficiencies and pain points in their advice process.

The FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award was given to Emma Zwaan of Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers (WA). The judges commented that Emma’s Statement of Advice (SOA) submission showed an ability to adapt the communication style towards the client’s situation and articulate how the client is put in a better position as a result of the advice.  Emma also demonstrated technical, research and strategic skills in all areas.

The joint winners of the FPA University Student of the Year Award are Miles Kitt of Charles Sturt University and Anthony White of TAFE NSW. Miles showed an outstanding commitment to academic studies and a wide perspective on current issues, as well as a passion for helping people improve their situation. Anthony served as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force for many years, and as a part of his counselling responsibilities, he became aware of the impacts that financial stress can have on individuals. Now a veteran, Anthony is focused on becoming a financial planner and supporting wounded veterans through the Department of Veteran Affairs system, entitlements process, and Military Super program, as they enter civilian life.

The winner of the FPA Community Service Award supported by the Future2 Foundation is Shane Hayes of Family Aged Care Advocates (NSW). The judging panel said that Shane’s dedication to the profession and his support of the Future2 Foundation is inspirational.  Shane displays an amazing amount of humility and passion when he speaks of how our profession can make a difference to everyday Australians.

The FPA gratefully acknowledges the time and expertise provided by the 2020 FPA judging panel:

• Mark Alexander CFP®
• Naomi Alletson AFP®
• Vicky Ampoulos
• David Andrew AFP®
• Jason Andriessen CFP®
• Jason Andriessen AFP®
• Marisa Broome CFP®
• Diana Burgarcic
• Susie Erratt CFP®
• Giles Gunesekera
• Andrew Harris CFP®
• Alison Henderson CFP®
• Fran Hughes CFP®
• Fraser Jack
• William Johns CFP®
• Gary Jones AFP®
• Todd Kennedy CFP®
• Andy Marshall
• Ben Marshan CFP®
• Mark O’Toole CFP®
• Anne Palmer
• David Sharpe CFP®
• Michelle Tate-Lovery CFP®
• Sharon Taylor
• Phillip Win CFP®.

Photographs and a video reel featuring the 2020 FPA Award winners are available on the FPA website visit

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Craig Banning

Individual advisers and practices across the Hillross, AMP Financial Planning and Charter Financial Planning network have received top awards to recognise their high levels of professionalism, operational excellence, superior client service and quality advice as part of an annual awards program.

Hillross and AMP Financial Planning Managing Director, Michael Guggenheimer, and Charter Financial Planning Managing Director, Tim Mitchell-Adams, praised the achievements of the award recipients.

“We know the real difference financial advisers can make in helping people plan for a more secure future. These awards acknowledge advisers and businesses which are leading the way in helping customers achieve their financial goals through quality advice,” said Mr Guggenheimer.

AMP Financial Planning, Hillross and Charter advisers can nominate colleagues or self-nominate for the awards, with submissions assessed by a panel of industry experts.

Clients of the finalists for AMP Financial Planning and Hillross were also surveyed by an independent research specialist, Beddoes Institute, to assess client satisfaction as part of the judging process.

AMP Financial Planning

Navwealth Financial Group located in St Leonards, NSW won Practice of the Year for demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism, operational excellence and client service. Led by Craig Banning, Navwealth was also a finalist for the AFA Practice of the Year award category in 2016.

“The team at Navwealth are really focussed and passionate about helping their clients reach their goals on purpose, and not by accident. The practice is an outstanding example within the profession,” Mr Guggenheimer said.

AMP Financial Planning also recognised the following advisers for their contribution to advice and the community:

• Adviser of the Year – Esther Althaus, Perspective Financial Solutions, South Yarra, VIC
• New Adviser of the Year – Scott Miller, First Class Wealth, Sydney CBD, NSW
• New Practice of the Year – First Class Wealth, Sydney CBD, NSW
• Value of Advice – Amanda Pond, Puddle to Pond Financial, Nowra, NSW

Hillross

Coral Coast Financial Planning located in Cairns, QLD won both the Advisory Firm of the Year award and the Financial Freedom achievement award, recognising the practice’s ongoing delivery of high quality advice and leading client service.

Led by Craig Armstrong, the firm prides itself on its long-term financial relationships.

“The practice’s long-standing client relationships is testimony to the high-quality financial planning advice and service it provides,” Mr Guggenheimer said.

Hillross also recognised the following advisers for their contribution to advice and the community:

• Financial Adviser of the Year – Gary Dean, Prosperity Wealth Advisers, World Square, NSW
• New Adviser of the Year – Jay Murphy, Arrive Wealth Management, Brisbane, QLD
• Professional Excellence – Simon Everett, Elysian Wealth Services, West Perth, WA
• Service to the Community – Definitive Financial Services, Tony Greenham, Subiaco, WA

Charter Financial Planning

Charter advisers Ray Albright (NSW-ACT), David Dyson (VIC-TAS), Christopher Manthey (QLD), Alex Brown (SA-NT) and Gary Addison (WA) received the 2016 State Advisers of the Year awards for their outstanding work and contributions to Charter.

The 2016 Charter National New Adviser of the Year award winner was Andrew Thomas from Crest Financial Services located in Cook Hill, NSW.

The 2016 National Value of Advice award winner is Ben Law from Exceed Financial located in Kangaroo Point, QLD.

The prestigious Gerald Lippman Perpetual Trophy for 2016 was awarded to Andrew Harris of Minerds Bell Consultancy Group located in Kingswood, SA. The Gerald Lippman Perpetual Trophy is awarded each year to the adviser that is judged to have made the greatest contribution to the progress of Charter during the past 12 months in areas such as professional and business development, industry involvement, community activity, marketing and promotion.

“‘My favourite time of year is when the Charter community comes together to honour our highest achievers. It’s always so great to hear the advisers share their stories and how the valuable advice they provide is making a real difference to so many people,” said Tim Mitchell-Adams.

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