The 2022 AFA Adviser of the Year Award finalists are:

• Charles Badenach – Main Street Financial Solutions
• Felicity Cooper – Cooper Wealth Management
• Joseph Hoe – Wealthwise

The advisers who nominated for the AFA Adviser of the Year Award were measured on a number of factors including their leadership qualities, innovation, customer focus and professional excellence.

Chief Distribution Officer, of Zurich’s Life & Investments, Kieran Forde, said “As an ongoing partner of this prestigious award, we are pleased to provide a platform that recognises and celebrates these talented individuals who drive positive change through their leadership, innovation, customer-centricity and commitment to professional excellence and financial literacy. It has been great to be part of the judging panel this year, these individuals make us proud to be a part of an industry that does so much good for individuals and the broader community.

AFA CEO, Phil Anderson, said “It’s been an honour to participate as a judge in the award process this year, to see the incredible caliber of candidates. The AFA and Zurich have supported this award for nearly 20 years, helping showcase outstanding advisers from across the profession, and this year has been no exception. It gives you great confidence for the future of the profession to see the high levels of expertise and commitment these advisers have in helping their clients achieve great outcomes.”

Finalists will present to a judging panel in mid September about their business achievements, community involvement and approach to mentoring others, as well as being able to demonstrate and articulate successful client outcomes.

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Kylie George

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) formally recognized a number of outstanding members of the financial advice community at the 2015 AFA National Adviser Conference in Cairns last week.

In partnership with Zurich, the AFA bestowed the professions most significant individual honour – the AFA Adviser of the Year Award – on Sydney’s David Reed of The Retirement Advice Centre. Melbourne-based Kearney Group was awarded the prestigious AFA Practice of the Year Award.

The AFA Adviser of the Year Award pays tribute to advisers who demonstrate outstanding adviser performance, advice strategies, dedication to professional education and achieving informed client consent through building the financial literacy of their clients. The AFA’s Practice of the Year Award is awarded to a financial advice practice that has achieved outstanding levels of client satisfaction, business performance metrics, effective marketing, efficient operations and a proven contribution to the profession.

Mildura-based adviser Kylie George of Harvest Wealth became the 2015 AFA Rising Star. The AFA’s Rising Star Award, supported by ANZ Wealth recognizes emerging talent within the financial advice profession.

The AFA, partnered by TAL, also named Victorian NAB Financial Planning adviser Sharon Walker as the winner of the AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award. This Award recognizes a female adviser with a passion and commitment to professionalism and quality advice, and who actively supports other women in financial services whilst also contributing to the betterment of financial literacy for women.

Charles Badenach received the AFA Excellence in Education Award, supported by Asteron Life, which recognizes an adviser’s commitment to ongoing professional education and self development.

Industry stalwart and Synchron Queensland state manager Gerry Porter was awarded the AFA’s Michael Murphy Award for his contribution to the advice community and the growth of the AFA. The Award is named in honour of AFA legend Michael Murphy who, after leading the resurrection of the AFA, lost his battle with cancer in 2012.

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Nick Hakes

The winner of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) 2015 Excellence in Education Award (the Award), supported by Asteron Life, will be announced on Monday 26 October at the AFA National Adviser Conference in Cairns. The Award recognises advisers who are continually investing in themselves, their staff and their businesses, to raise professional standards through education.

The 2015 State Winners for the Award, announced throughout the AFA’s National Practitioner Roadshow, are:

• Karen Walmsley, Powe Financial Advice Pty Ltd (NSW)
• Jawad Ahmad, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (SA)
• Charles Badenach, Main Street Financial Solutions (TAS)
• Lyn Heaysman, Harvest Wealth Pty Ltd (VIC)
• Joseph Hoe, Wealthwise Pty Ltd (WA)
• Tim Hall, Tilea Wealth Pty Ltd (QLD)

Nick Hakes, General Manager Member Services & Campus AFA said the calibre of the state winners reflects the recognition that higher education is one of the keys to delivering great advice to more Australians and positively influencing consumer perceptions of financial advisers.

“This is an exciting time for the financial advice profession. More and more advisers are embracing higher education and using it to demonstrate a point of difference,” he said. “Our state winners encapsulate everything that is great about financial advice – technical knowledge which is expertly applied to empowering the lives of others. This year’s finalists have demonstrated that the investment in education across a broad range of disciplines has made a positive difference to their clients and to their businesses.”

Mr Hakes said all of this year’s nominations were outstanding. “We are very proud of the talent that the Award has recognised to date and we are delighted to continue to partner with Asteron Life to showcase the outstanding attitudes, behaviours, standards and commitment to lifelong learning demonstrated by advisers like these state winners,” he said. “The AFA believes other advisers will be inspired by the state winners to invest in their own education, above and beyond what is required in terms of compliance, in order to ensure that they are giving their clients the best possible experience, while also raising professional standards within the financial advice profession.”

Asteron Life Executive Manager Mark Vilo said education plays a vital role in restoring consumer confidence in the financial planning industry and holds the key to ensuring a thriving future for advisers, life companies and licensees.

“Adviser education standards is a topic that has largely gone under the radar throughout the reform process. This award provides the perfect platform to showcase the level of professionalism and talent that exists in our industry and show to consumers that there is a commitment to ongoing education,” he said.

State winners of the Award are chosen for their commitment to professional development through continuing education and making a difference within the marketplace and their local community through the practical application of their knowledge and expertise.

Candidates are judged on the quality of their written nomination. Judges then conducted phone interviews with shortlisted candidates. Candidates are also given a weighting across four award criteria, including:

• 50% on formal education
• 30% on practical application of education
• 10% on contribution to one’s industry
• 10% on contribution to one’s community

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