Bianca Musico

The winners of the FAAA annual awards have been announced at this year’s FAAA Congress in Brisbane.

The awards are a highlight of the FAAA calendar and recognise members who deliver the highest standards of professional financial advice, as well as those who go above and beyond to support their local communities. The awards also highlight the contribution of outstanding university students who represent the exciting future of the financial advice profession.

The winner of the FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is Bianca Musico CFP® at WARR HUNT, Melbourne.

FAAA chief executive officer, Sarah Abood, said the award is a testament to Ms Musico’s passion for developing the next generation of advisers and ensuring as many people as possible gain access to sound financial advice.

Ms Musico joined the firm in 2013 and holds leadership responsibility in the important head of advice role. She became a principal of the firm in 2024.

“Bianca has demonstrated a clear passion for the financial planning profession, and we commend her selfless focus on developing talent in our profession,” Ms Abood said.

“Bianca has played a key role in helping her clients achieve their financial goals for more than a decade, and she is to be congratulated as this year’s FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year.”

The winner of the FAAA Professional Practice of the Year Award is Capital Partners, based in Perth. Established in 1999 by David Andrew, the firm has grown significantly over the past two decades and now employs 50 staff members. Ms Abood noted Capital Partners’ holistic approach to financial advice, focusing on aligning clients’ wealth with their personal values and life goals, and its comprehensive and sustained commitment to both business and succession planning.

John Cachia, founder and strategic wealth adviser of Melbourne based company Thriving Wealth is the winner of FAAA Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Zurich Australia). Ms Abood noted Mr Cachia’s 21 years’ experience in the financial services profession, and his success in integrating the wealth coaching and behavioural finance disciplines with financial planning.

Kieran Forde, head of adviser channel at Zurich Australia (sponsor of the FAAA Adviser of the Year) congratulated John Cachia for winning this award.

“Being part of the judging panel and seeing first-hand the talent and passion from all nominees has been an honour. John demonstrated outstanding expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional client outcomes. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement.”

Deline Jacovides, CFP® and director of Mazi Wealth – a boutique financial advice firm based in Brisbane – received the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award (sponsored by TAL). Ms Abood noted Ms Jacovides strives to inspire more women to both seek and provide financial advice and is a fierce advocate for closing the superannuation gender gap and improving financial literacy. She also serves as the treasurer for Women in Super QLD, contributing to the organisation’s efforts to enhance women’s financial security.

Beau Riley, general manager, retail sales & new business of TAL (sponsor of the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award), said Ms Jacovides is a very deserving winner of the 2024 Award.

“Deline should be applauded for being an outstanding financial adviser and giving back to her community by empowering more women to take control of their financial futures”.

Jakob Ayres, a provisional adviser at Apt Wealth Partners Melbourne, was the FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year. He joined Apt Wealth Partners in 2020, in Apt Wealth’s graduate program and became an adviser with his own client base through Apt’s Professional Year program in 2023. He is currently studying for his CFP certification and was awarded top student in Unit 2 of his studies. Ms Abood noted Mr Ayres’ passion for helping others and making a difference in the community, which is what drew him to the financial advice profession initially.

The FAAA University Student of the Year Award (sponsored by UniSuper) was awarded to Emma McKenzie from the Central-West of NSW. Says Ms Abood, “Emma’s commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the financial advice profession, particularly in relation to bridging the advice gap for Australians in regional areas, really stood out. She has sought to continue her professional growth and pursued further education opportunities with Deakin University, firstly achieving a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and then later a Graduate Diploma and is now working towards obtaining a Masters Degree.”

Andrew Gregory, general manager, financial advice and education with UniSuper (sponsor of the FAAA University Student of the Year award), said: “UniSuper celebrates the recognition of Emma McKenzie.

“This award holds a special place in our hearts as we understand the transformative power of education. Alongside the FAAA, UniSuper are committed to nurturing the next generation of advice professionals in the sector.”

FAAA general manger for membership, Tania Milnes, said the awards were a chance to celebrate achievements across the wider advice profession and shine a light on those that have gone above and beyond in their field and in their community.

“The FAAA awards recognise excellence within the Australian financial advice profession and celebrate those demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and care. I congratulate all the winners and the finalists at this year’s awards. Together, we can celebrate the best of financial planning in Australia,” she said.

Ms Abood said Australia has the highest standards in the world for the provision of financial advice, and the role of the profession remains critical.

“Financial advice is critically important for all Australians in maximising their financial resilience, achieving their goals and having confidence about what the future holds,” she said.

“The FAAA awards are a way of recognising dedicated advisers who are committed to helping fellow Australian achieve better financial outcomes.”

Ms Abood also thanked the sponsors of the awards – and pointed to their commitment to the advancement of excellence in financial advice.

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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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