This appointment is an important milestone in the company’s expansion into a more holistic full-service wealth manager, and complements the announcement made earlier this year of the strategic partnership entered with Praemium to broaden advice capabilities to a wider range of asset classes. 

Mr Riggall will lead Bell Financial Group’s investment strategy and philosophy across asset classes and will continue to develop investment solutions for its clients.

He brings more than 22 years of investment experience to Bell Financial Group, having occupied the role of Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager within leading funds management and advice groups with a breadth of expertise across multiple asset classes.

Bell Financial Group Co-Chief Executive Officer Arnie Selvarajah said: “Will’s extensive experience overseeing portfolio construction and management across multiple asset classes will be of significant benefit to our private wealth clients as we move towards more holistic porfolio advice.

“The creation of this role is another important piece in our strategy to provide investment advice and services to a broad range of Australian investors. As a diversified wealth management business, it reflects our desire to become the wealth manager of choice for Australians seeking trusted advice that supports them at every stage of their investment lifecycle.”

Commenting on the new role, Mr Riggall said: “I’m excited to join Bells at such an important moment in its long and rich history. The firm’s unique combination of flexible advice models, proprietary technology and breadth of investment choice means we can offer holistic and flexible wealth solutions to our clients.”

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Olivia McArdle

Bell Financial Group Ltd (ASX:BFG) has announced that it has reached an agreement with Macquarie Bank which will see approximately 75,000 accounts transfer from Macquarie Online Trading to its Bell Direct and Desktop Broker brands.

The transition of accounts from Macquarie Online Trading is expected to be completed after 22 February 2025.

Bell Financial Group Co-CEO Arnie Selvarajah said: “Since 2014, Macquarie Online Trading has used our technology platform to provide share trading services under its own brand. This new agreement builds on our long-term partnership and is a testament to the quality of Bell’s online share trading technology and services. It strengthens our position in the market and will provide further opportunities to grow our Technology and Platforms business.”

The transition is expected to be earnings accretive in FY 2025.

Olivia McArdle, Head of Payments and Deposits for Macquarie’s Banking and Financial Services group said: “We’ve enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Bell Financial Group over the last decade. We’re pleased that customers will continue to access the benefits of our powerful and secure Macquarie Cash Management Account via the Bell Direct and Desktop Broker trading platform. Macquarie Cash Management Accounts and any other accounts customers have with Macquarie won’t change, and they can continue to view and access their accounts by logging into Macquarie Online or the Macquarie Mobile Banking app.”

Bell Financial Group’s third party clearing arrangement with Macquarie will remain unchanged.

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Kate Ingwersen

Bell Financial Group Limited (ASX:BFG) has announced the appointment of Kate Ingwersen to the newly created role of Group Head of Product as part of its growth as a technology-led diversified financial services and wealth management business.

Ms. Ingwersen will be responsible for product innovation across Bell Financial Group’s flagship companies, Bell Potter Securities Ltd, Bell Potter Capital Ltd, and Third Party Platform Pty Ltd. 

Working closely with the leadership team, Ms. Ingwersen will drive the Group’s products and services strategy for retail investors (self-directed and advised) through to corporate and institutional clients, ensuring the Group continues to anticipate and adapt to customer-driven investing trends and broader macro themes. 

Bell Financial Group Co-Chief Executive Officer Arnie Selvarajah said the appointment was integral to the Group’s strategy to grow by investing in proprietary broking technology and a range of complementary wealth management products and services.

‘Sitting under the Bell Financial Group umbrella are three strong businesses that are diversified across client segments, geography and revenue and are well-positioned for growth,’ Mr Selvarajah said.

‘As Group Head of Product, Kate will be responsible for unifying our product and services strategy across the Group to capitalise on the strengths of each of our underlying businesses, and to broaden the products and services we offer in an innovative manner to assist in achieving our clients’ financial objectives.

‘This builds on our strategy to diversify our well-established broking and capital markets businesses into broader wealth management and financial services, and to capitalise on initiatives such as the recently launched Tandem Securities brand, our integrated suite of trading, clearing and investment services for wholesale and institutional clients.

‘We’re confident that Kate, with her deep product strategy experience across multiple disciplines and industry verticals, is well credentialed to play a key role in assisting us to drive growth.’ 

Kate brings over two decades of expertise in financial services to the role, having previously held senior positions across wealth management and banking, most recently with Challenger Group Limited and, prior to that, with the Commonwealth Bank.

Commenting on her new role, Ms. Ingwersen said she was excited to assist with developing a long-term product strategy to support Bell Financial Group’s growth.

‘This is an important time for Bell Financial Group as we see the intergenerational wealth transfer start to gather momentum,’ Ms. Ingwersen said.

‘Across the entire financial services industry, this substantial transfer of assets and wealth will have significant implications for investors of all types. As a technology-led and diversified financial services and wealth management business, Bell Financial Group is well positioned for the opportunity this transition represents.’

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Craig will focus on expanding the Group’s footprint in the intermediary and broking segments of the market, leveraging the Group’s broad range of products, services and technology solutions including equities execution and clearing, margin lending, structured loan products, portfolio administration services, personal superannuation solutions and third-party clearing services.

Craig joins from NAB Private Wealth where he worked for more than 13 years, most recently as Regional Director North, Private Wealth Solutions, and prior to that as the Head of Distribution at NAB Self Directed Wealth and National Sales Manager. Prior to NAB, Craig held senior sales positions at both Leveraged Equities and Ord Minnett.

Craig said, “I am excited to join Bell Financial Group and I look forward to the opportunity to play a leading role assisting the Group to achieve its growth aspirations. I am passionate about building business solutions focused on helping clients successfully meet their financial objectives.”

Bell Financial Group’s Co-CEO, Arnie Selvarajah said, “We are excited to have Craig join Bell Financial Group in the newly created position of Group Head of Sales. We believe as an organisation we are very well positioned to expand our footprint in the intermediary and broking segments of the market. Craig’s deep understanding and sales experience in financial services will greatly assist with this process.”

Craig commenced his new role with the Group on Monday 20 November.

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Arnie Selvarajah

Three key themes will shape modern financial advisory firms in 2023 and determine their growth trajectory, according to a new paper released by Desktop Broker, the wealth management arm of Bell Direct.

Success in the next few years will hinge on an advisory firm’s ability to promote the benefits of a career in financial planning and attract talent; team up with the right business partners; and evolve their business model to capture opportunities arising from regulatory change, based on Desktop Broker’s paper, Advice trends and opportunities: 2023 and beyond.

According to Arnie Selvarajah, Bell Direct Chief Executive Officer, changing economic conditions, Australia’s ageing population and regulatory tailwinds will underpin demand for professional advice and drive business momentum.

“There is so much opportunity for advisers to grow their business but there are three fundamental building blocks that must be in place first to ensure a rock solid foundation,” he said.

“The right people and culture is key but there is a war for talent going on right now so advisers need to sell a career in advice and get creative about the benefits and flexibility they offer. Even then, every business has finite resources so they need to leverage the capabilities and expertise of trusted service providers to help them evolve and execute their strategy.”

Drawing on insights from Desktop Broker’s large clientbase of financial advisory firms, the paper examines the attributes and actions of the most successful businesses.

Generally speaking, the most profitable and efficient businesses are big users of technology and they have been able to derive scale benefits by enhancing the way they deliver advice and investment solutions, said Tim Sparks, Bell Direct Head of Distribution and Marketing.

“With increasing economic uncertainty, advisers are focused on adding value in the areas within their control such as budgeting and cashflow management, portfolio management and retirement planning. We are seeing the increasing adoption of managed accounts as advisers seek to drive efficiencies, better manage their exposure to risk and deliver a better client experience,” he said.

“The return of inflation has also sparked a rethink of advice models. We’re seeing traditional stockbrokers and private client advisers move into strategic financial advice because they recognise that it is going to get harder and harder to outperform under current market conditions.”

Read the report.

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TPP operates through its brand names Bell Direct, Desktop Broker and Bell Potter Online.

TPP will act as the third-party clearer for MEL using its proprietary technology, which has been providing settlement and clearing services to Bell Potter Securities since November 2020, following ASX approval in May of that year.

BFG Executive Chairman, Alastair Provan, said: “We are looking forward to building on our existing long-term relationship with Macquarie Equities Limited and look forward to managing its back-end settlement and clearing functions for its Private Bank and Wrap Platform. Our consistent investment in our proprietary technology and client service has been important in creating this new capability for TPP.”

The first migration from Macquarie Equities Limited to Bell Direct is scheduled for October 2021.

TPP CEO, Arnie Selvarajah, said: “This new line of business for BFG is a natural extension to our existing trading, settlement and clearing services for self-directed and advised clients as well as white label partners. We will now be in a position to provide third party settlement and clearing services for ASX and Chi-X trading participants.”

Mr Selvarajah concluded, “Bell Direct continues to evolve through the application of our proprietary technology and award-winning customer service. We’re excited to offer the market a new third party clearer to consider, one with a proven track record in providing third party services”.

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Bell Direct Advantage is a dedicated service and specialist trading desk, designed to offer hands-on support to clients.

Mr. Phillips joins Bell Direct with over two decades’ experience in the financial services industry. Most recently he was the Executive Manager, Broking & Markets, at CommSec which included ten years working as the Executive Manager at CommSec One, (CommSec’s High Value Client desk).

Mr. Hsu brings over 15 years’ experience to the role, also joining from CommSec One where he was Senior Relationship Manager.

Commenting on the appointments, Arnie Selvarajah, CEO of Bell Direct, said: “We are pleased to welcome such a high calibre of talent which adds further bench strength to the premium grade service Bell Direct active investors want and need.”

Based in Sydney, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Hsu will be responsible for enhancing the trading experience for Bell Direct’s growing base of sophisticated, self-directed, active investors and supporting them in their trading activities.

Bell Direct Head of Distribution and Marketing, Tim Sparks, said: “Ryan and Lewis are both well positioned to service this group of experienced traders wanting the support of a dedicated trading desk. Their specialised knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue to respond to evolving client needs in the wake of rapidly changing market dynamics.”

Mr. Phillips and Mr. Hsu commence their roles on 26 October.

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Paul joined the team of expert Bell Potter Online advisers based in Sydney and is responsible for helping financial planners build listed securities portfolios for their clients. The Bell Potter Online platform is powered by leading online broker, Bell Direct.

Over the past decade, Paul has worked closely with financial intermediaries and their Dealer Groups to help design, deliver, and implement a wide array of direct investment strategies. He has previously held several client-facing positions at CommSec Adviser Services, most recently as a Senior Investment Specialist.

Arnie Selvarajah, CEO of Bell Direct, said: “As the number of our financial planner clients continues to grow, the expansion of the Bell Potter Online team was timely. With planners increasingly being impacted by changes in the advice industry, we are finding more advisers seeking to outsource elements of the investment decision-making and execution process.”

The appointment continues the growth of the Bell Direct business, with Tim Sparks appointed as Head of Distribution and Marketing in May 2019, and Jessica Amir appointed as Market Analyst earlier this month.

Mr Sparks said: “It was great to welcome Paul into the Bell Potter Online team. Clients are already benefiting from his market insights and listed securities expertise.”

Paul joined Bell Potter Online on 1 October 2019.

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Tim Sparks

Bell Direct has appointed Tim Sparks as Head of Sales and Marketing, as the innovative online broker continues to expand its offering and grow market share.

Tim brings over 18 years’ experience to the role, joining from Vanguard Australia where he was the National Manager, Broking and Wealth Management. Prior to Vanguard, he held senior roles at iShares Australia, Mariner Financial and CommSec.

In the newly-created position, Tim will be responsible for leading the Sales and Marketing function across Bell Direct, Desktop Broker and Bell Potter Online. A key focus will be driving investor and adviser take-up of Bell Direct’s growing suite of innovative products and spearheading new initiatives.

Arnie Selvarajah, CEO of Bell Direct, said: “We are very pleased to appoint someone of Tim’s calibre to the role and look forward to him joining the team.

“Tim’s expertise and fresh perspective will be invaluable as the organisation continues to evolve to meet the needs of our clients. As the only broking platform in Australia with an end-to-end technology solution, we are well-positioned to respond and adapt to the rapidly changing market dynamics,” Mr Selvarajah added.

Tim commenced the role on 27 May 2019.

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