Roland Xu

Roland Xu of Shore Financial Planning in Sydney is the winner of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award for Semester 2 2025.

Named after the late ‘First Lady of Financial Planning’, the award is presented by the FAAA and recognises the highest performing student in the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice. The CFP® designation is the largest and best-recognised financial planning designation globally.

Xu is a financial adviser with Shore Financial and has worked in financial planning for eight years.  He holds a bachelor of applied financial and actuarial studies from Macquarie University.

He says it is incredibly meaningful to be recognised as the Gwen Fletcher Award winner, especially in the context of how much the financial advice profession has changed over the past few years.

“Financial advice in Australia has gone through significant reform and in this changing environment, to be recognised for technical and professional excellence carries real weight.

“It can be easy as advisers to focus on process, compliance and the mechanics of advice, and forget the underlying privilege: that someone has entrusted you with decisions that materially shape their life trajectory. This award felt less like a moment of celebration and more like a reminder of that responsibility.”

The other financial advisers who completed their CFP certification this semester were:

• Andrew Galea
• Brooke Charity
• Damian Scollo
• Elise Marcus
• Harman Dhillon
• Huseyin Djemal
• Jeremy Douglas
• Kym Coleman
• Luis Arguello
• Madeleine Owens
• Mark Grasso
• Mary Ann Almasan
• Mathew White
• Matthew Katunar
• Shannon Victor
• Zaheer Lalani
• Zoe Kennedy
• Daniel Roggero
• Gareth Croy

Xu said that the CFP certification journey reinforces that good advice requires structured thinking, technical depth and strong ethical judgement.

“The CFP program deepens your technical capability and strengthens your judgement and confidence.

“It also connects you with a community of advisers who care about standards and professionalism, and it reinforces that this is a role built on responsibility and trust. It’s an excellent investment into becoming a more thoughtful and capable adviser.”

Anne Palmer, general manager – education at the FAAA, says pursuing the CFP certification can be challenging but it is also a rewarding and powerful way for advisers to show their expertise and dedication.

“CFP certification is the gold standard in financial planning and is a globally recognised designation for those who meet the highest standards of education, experience and ethics.

“On behalf of the FAAA, I congratulate Roland on winning the Gwen Fletcher Award and congratulate our new CFPs, who have shown dedication and professionalism.”

The CFP designation is the most respected financial planning designation globally, with more than 230,648 CFP professionals worldwide. It is a symbol of excellence for financial planners around the world who are actively committed through higher education and accountability to adhering to world-class professional and ethical standards. The CFP designation offers financial planning professionals a way to differentiate themselves in the profession.

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Anne Palmer

The Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) is expanding its Approved Specialisations Program, with applications now open to education and designation providers offering qualifications in a broader range of financial advice areas. The program supports the FAAA’s long-standing commitment to supporting advisers in deepening their professional expertise through specialist education. 

Until now, the program has included specialisations in Aged Care, Life Risk, and the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner (FChFP) designation. The expansion will now welcome applications from education providers offering programs in new areas, including:

• Estate Planning
• Retirement
• Money Therapy
• SMSF (Self-Managed Superannuation Funds)
• Responsible Investing

Education providers offering qualifications in other specialist fields relevant to financial advice are also encouraged to apply.

“There is increasing demand from consumers for advisers with demonstrated expertise in specific advice areas,” Anne Palmer, FAAA General Manager of Education said. 

“We want to support advisers in their ongoing learning and development and help them stay in the profession they’ve worked hard to be part of. Licensees with advisers focusing on aged care or SMSF for example, often mandate further education in these fields for their advisers. An FAAA endorsed specialisation ensures the education content is of sufficient standard and that advisers holding the specialisation are continuing to undertake at least 5 hours of CPD per year in staying up to date in that field.

“By expanding the Specialisations Program, we are helping advisers distinguish themselves professionally and partnering with quality education providers to raise the standard of advice across the industry.

“Recognising high-quality specialist education is one way we can make that pathway clearer, more rewarding, and more accessible.”

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Anne Palmer

In conjunction with Global Money Week 2025, the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) has launched a guide for young people entering the workforce, under its Money & Life brand designed.

Titled “A guide to starting your first job”, it equips young Australians with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully enter the workplace. The guide has been launched to time with Global Money Week, which runs 17 to 23 March 2025. 

According to Anne Palmer, general manager education at the FAAA, the resource provides practical tips and information for young Australians on various topics such as successfully securing employment including preparing a resume, the interview process, what to expect on your first day, getting paid, and how to read a payslip.  

“Getting your first job can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. This guide is designed to help young Australians start off on the right foot, by providing useful information to help them navigate the world of work and effectively manage their finances,” she says. 

“The guide offers advice on how to find a job and manage your time, and it highlights the importance of creating a strong resume, even when a young person does not have formal work experience, by including personal qualities, volunteer work, responsibilities, interests, skills, and other achievements.”

The guide also stresses the need to prepare for job interviews by researching the business and preparing questions, and emphasises the importance of being punctual and showing a willingness to learn.

The guide also addresses common questions such as the difference between casual and part-time work, what a short-term job is, and how to resign from a job. It clarifies whether workers still get paid if they are sick or on holiday, and what to do if they witness poor workplace behaviour. 

“We offer practical advice, such as how to set up a tax file number (TFN) and, if eligible, a superannuation fund. The resource provides a checklist of things to know and have ready for the first day of work,” she says. 

“Importantly, it gives young people advice on how to maximise their earnings, set up a savings account and how to save effectively to allow them to build up their wealth over time. 

“We recommend young people entering the workforce open up a savings account that they don’t take money out of and put 20 per cent of whatever money they make straight into that account on pay day – it will build up over time and they won’t even realise it,” Ms Palmer says. 

Global Money Week is an annual global awareness-raising campaign to ensure that young people, from an early age, are financially aware, and acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial well-being and financial resilience.  

Read the guide.

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Mr Whitworth is a private banker at Macquarie Bank based in Melbourne.  He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Financial Planning and Finance from Deakin University.

Named after the late ‘First Lady of Financial Planning’, the award recognises the highest performing student in the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice. The CFP® designation is the largest and best-recognised financial planning designation globally.

The other financial advisers who successfully completed the CFP certification this semester alongside Mr Whitworth were: Alex Porter, David Cooper, Rex Wang, James Middleton, Jeremy Zenwirth, Karissa Penna, Luke Dean, Manpreet Banga, Mitch Buckley, Nick Churkovic, Paul Johnston, Priscilla OSay N-tim and Samuel Gall.

Anne Palmer, FAAA’s general manager – education, highlighted Mr Whitworth’s achievement as well as acknowledging the efforts of the people that completed CFP certification this semester.

“Those who take part in the CFP® Certification Program put in a significant amount of work and a lot of effort, so it has been a consistent challenge to select a recipient of the award each semester.

“Marc has demonstrated strong dedication and commitment to his studies, all while maintaining consistent high standards with his client work. On behalf of the FAAA, I congratulate him on reaching the highest level of qualification in financial planning.

“The CFP Certification Program is an integral part of the FAAA’s efforts to support technical excellence in financial planning and equip planners with the skills and confidence needed to provide the best quality financial advice to Australians. As a result, we are seeing more members taking part in the course, seeking to upskill, which is ultimately a good thing for the financial planning profession as a whole,” Ms Palmer says.

The CFP designation is the most respected financial planning designation globally, with more than 223,700 CFP professionals worldwide. It is a symbol of excellence for financial planners around the world who are actively committed through higher education and accountability to adhering to world-class professional and ethical standards. The CFP designation offers financial planning professionals a way to differentiate themselves in the profession.

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Craig Roberts

Craig Roberts of Elston Private Wealth in Queensland has been awarded the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award for the second semester of 2024 by the FAAA.

Mr Roberts is a private wealth adviser at Elston based in Brisbane.  He also holds a bachelor of business in accounting, and a postgraduate diploma in financial planning.

Named after the late ‘First Lady of Financial Planning’, the award recognises the highest performing student in the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice. The CFP® designation is the largest and best-recognised financial planning designation globally.

Mr Roberts said receiving the award is a pivotal moment in his professional journey.

“This recognition is a real honour and I see it as symbolising the pinnacle of my formal education.

“Financial planning is about helping people navigate some of the most important decisions of their lives. Trust is essential in our profession and the CFP® certification is recognised as the highest standard in our industry.

“Undertaking the CFP® certification was an important step in demonstrating my commitment to developing the skills, knowledge and professionalism to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my clients and provide them with the confidence that their financial futures are in safe hands.”

Anne Palmer, FAAA’s general manager – education, said the award was well-deserved.

“Everyone who takes part in the CFP® Certification Program puts in a high degree of work and effort, so it is always a challenge to select one person to receive this award.

“Craig has shown dedication and commitment to his studies, while at the same time continuing with his work for his clients and also having a young family.  On behalf of the FAAA, I congratulate him on having achieved the peak level of qualification in financial planning.

“Our latest Value of Advice research shows that CFPs® achieve the highest recognition of the value of financial advice amongst consumers, which reflects their extra level of dedication.  We are seeing more of our members considering taking part in the program, which is very good news for the profession as a whole,” Ms Palmer says.

The CFP designation is the most respected financial planning designation globally, with more than 223,700 CFP professionals worldwide. It is a symbol of excellence for financial planners around the world who are actively committed through higher education and accountability to adhering to world-class professional and ethical standards. The CFP designation offers financial planning professionals a way to differentiate themselves in the profession.

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Anne Palmer

The FAAA is set to continue with its Women in Financial Planning Mentoring Program in 2024, in recognition of the important role such programs play in attracting, and retaining, women to the financial advice profession.

The initial program, which was launched in February 2022, was deemed an outstanding success by the mentors and mentees who participated in the initiative. It was run by the FAAA through a $2.2 million grant from the Office for Women in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The program aimed to support women to further their careers in financial services by matching eligible women in seeking guidance and support with more experienced mentors.

The first program paired 96 mentors and mentees from February to August 2022, while the second program paired 36 mentors and mentees from March to October 2023.

Although the government funding ran out in late 2023, and was not renewed, the success of the program is such that the FAAA is aiming to continue it in 2024, and is in the process of looking for sponsors, says Anne Palmer, general manager, education and professionalism, at the FAAA.

“With women only accounting for around 22 per cent of financial planners and around 28 per cent of the FAAA membership, initiatives such as this one are incredibly important to encourage more women to not only consider financial advice as a career but also remain in the profession once they are fully qualified.

“This program shows that demand for female financial advisers is there. We need more of them coming into our profession to ensure we have enough advisers to serve the needs of the growing number of Australian consumers seeking advice.

“There is no reason that we can’t reach more than 100,000 financial advisers in Australia, with a goal of half of those being women. There are around 200,000 registered accountants in Australia, and the need for financial advice is just as significant.”

Ms Palmer says mentoring is a valuable tool to help an advice career flourish.

“It’s important when starting out in a career to find a great mentor who will both support and challenge you, and a great group of peers who are working in the areas you want to focus in.

“It’s a real positive of this profession that it abounds with advisers who genuinely love to help each other and who get great satisfaction from seeing the success of their colleagues.”

The FAAA Women in Financial Planning Mentoring Program is a six-month program that matches female FAAA members with another experienced FAAA member in a mutually beneficial development program.

The program involves:

• Online training, reading material and workshops
• Three scheduled program webinars to track progress
• At least monthly contact between mentor and mentee

The FAAA is currently seeking sponsors for the next round of the FAAA Women in Financial Planning Mentoring Program.

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Through the portal, employers can promote jobs directly to financial advice professionals to find the most suitable candidates for vacant positions. Those that are FAAA members can receive significant discounts on already competitive pricing to advertise job vacancies.

The portal will allow job seekers to highlight their experience and qualifications to recruiters, browse financial advice-focused roles, sign up for email alerts when new positions are advertised, or upload their resume for potential employers to review.

Finally, those seeking a career change or wishing to enter the profession can refresh their resume, improve their LinkedIn profile, or simply engage with a career coach to review their career path.

FAAA general manager education Anne Palmer said the Career Centre will serve as a one-stop shop for both members and non-members, whether they are recruiting for qualified staff, searching for a new role or seeking to further develop their skills.

“The portal will assist those in the advice profession, no matter where they are at in their careers,” Ms Palmer said.

“Future editions of the member communication – FAAA Weekly – containing the latest updates for members, will now include featured jobs with direct access to apply or create a new listing for your business. This will assist advertisers to reach qualified candidates as quickly as possible.

“This new resource has been designed to assist the busy working lives of our members and support them in their search for upcoming talent, a new challenge or resetting their career goals.”

Access the FAAA Careers Centre.

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Reporting to FAAA general manager of education and professionalism Anne Palmer, Ms Trevaskis will be responsible for helping encourage students to enter the financial advice profession through university and student initiatives, and grow the number of new advisers entering the profession.

Ms Trevaskis has more than 20 years of experience in financial advice and education. Before joining the FAAA, she was at AMP since 2007 in various education roles, most recently as a learning and professionalism manager from 2021 to 2023.

At AMP, Ms Trevaskis created and managed the AMP University Challenge game as well as oversaw the training components of the Horizons Academy/AMP Adviser Academy program for new entrants into the advice profession over many years.

Prior to working at AMP, Ms Trevaskis was the head of education at Kaplan Professional (previously known as Tribeca and Integratec) from 2001 to 2007, and has also worked as a high school teacher. She holds a bachelor of economics and diploma of education at Macquarie University and a graduate diploma of financial planning at the Securities Institute of Australia.

Ms Palmer says Ms Trevaskis’ experience makes her a perfect fit for the new role.

“The FAAA is keen to help bridge the adviser shortage by bringing as many graduates as possible who are considering financial planning as a career into the profession.

“Louise’s background and experience are a great fit to help us grow the number of advisers – at the same time as more Australians than ever are in need of quality financial advice.”

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Kathryn Creasy

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced the winners of the 2021 FPA Awards.

Now in its ninth 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 Kathryn Creasy CFP® of Capital Partners in West Perth. The award acknowledges Kathryn’s outstanding approach to providing comprehensive financial planning advice to her clients but also her passion for mentoring those within her team and the broader profession.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said: “Kathryn exemplifies our FPA membership as a modern professional financial planner. She is a shining example to all those that are considering a career in financial planning and the life-changing difference our work can make with a client.”

The winner of the “FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award” is Sydney-based Apt Wealth (NSW). The judges commented that it’s not easy to establish and be recognised as one of the 2021 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work in financial services.

Winning the “FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award” for 2021 is Leanne Bielik AFP® of 2020 Wealth PTY LTD (VIC). The judges noted that Leanne has paved the way to help those in need in the community get the help and support only a professional financial planner can provide them throughout the pandemic. Leanne also spends time in online communities supporting single mothers and clients who have had previous poor advice outcomes to get back on track.

The winner of the “FPA Advice Innovation Award” is Daniel Thompson AFP® of FINNACLE (NSW). The award was introduced last year to recognise members who have automated their advice process or used technology in new ways to engage with clients and/or deliver advice. Daniel has taken a blank piece of paper approach and an agile mindset to create a novel subscription based advice service. Through testing and improving constantly, Daniel and his team have created an innovative, affordable and easily accessible advice business for the benefit of his clients.

The “FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award” was given to Andrew Mann CFP® of Tupicoffs (QLD). The judges commented that Andrew is an example of what it is to excel in one’s craft. This award is a celebration of Andrew’s career and excellence in paraplanning, particularly his ability to be engaging, pulling complex threads together in such a way that embraces the client’s capacity to absorb information, and deal with matters that are important to the client.

The winner of the “FPA University Student of the Year Award” is Nicole Gardner of Kaplan Professional (VIC). Nicole has forged successful careers in journalism and in the banking sector. Inspired by the financial hardship that a close relative endured, she was determined to become a financial planner and to work hard to ensure that women and those entering aged care are financially educated and set up for success. She is now achieving a high standard of academic achievement whilst working in the financial planning profession and supporting a family.

The winner of the “FPA Community Service Award” supported by the Future2 Foundation is Peter O’Connell CFP® (VIC). The judging panel said that Peter has been a strong supporter of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation in the Ballarat and Western Victoria area. For the past 15 years he has provided financial literacy education advice to the Indigenous community. He also supports the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation with their accounting and financial planning requirements.

The FPA gratefully acknowledges the time and expertise provided by the 2021 FPA judging panel:

Certified Financial Planner of the Year
Alison Henderson CFP®
David Sharpe CFP®
Marisa Broome CFP®

Financial Planner AFP of the Year
Michelle Tate-Lovery CFP®
Ben Marshan CFP®
Nat Daley AFP®

FPA Professional Planner of the Year
Diana D’Ambra
Julie Matheson CFP®
Neil Kendall CFP®

FPA Advice Innovation Award
Ben Marshan CFP®
Andy Marshall
Fraser Jack

FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award
William Johns CFP®
Vicky Ampoulos
Mark O’Toole CFP®

FPA University Student of the Year
Anne Palmer FPA
Diana Bugarcic – TAFE NSW
Vicky Ampoulos

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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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