He has worked at a senior level with organisations including ANZ and E*Trade, as well as BT Australia, and his broad background encompasses international and domestic experience.

Chant West’s General Manager, Ian Fryer, said “Don is an experienced and respected professional who’s highly regarded in superannuation and investment circles. He has a strong customer focus, which will enable him to support the super and advice markets to empower their members and clients to make informed decisions. We’re confident he’ll bring a fresh and dynamic approach to our team.”

In further news, Chant West last week released its new Wrap Comparator dashboard, allowing users to compare key data such as platform fees and costs to assist in preparing the Member Outcomes Assessment. The dashboard is also a powerful source of market data for product managers and sales teams to inform the distribution of their platform products, encompassing wraps in the super, pension and investment universes.

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Now in its 14th year, the Award recognises emerging talent in the financial advice industry who provide quality advice, excellence in client experience, contribute to the financial literacy of their clients and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development.

The 2018 AFA Rising Star of the Year Award finalists are:Rachael Bursell – Finance Your Future

• Andrew Debono – Announcer Group
• Sam Jewell – Rising Tide Financial Services
• Jacinta Martin – Altitude Financial Management
• Rebecca Pritchard – Wealth Enhancers
• Ryan Skeen – Zella

Phil Kewin, AFA CEO  said, “We are delighted to be able to recognise some of the best and brightest talent in our profession. These individuals will be the future leaders of our industry and will help our industry evolve through a period of change.

“It was a hard task to pick only six finalists from such a strong group of applications. They have all shown exceptional work with clients and are all innovating in their practices to provide quality advice.”

ANZ Wealth Head of Sales, Don Sillar, said, “We are very excited about the calibre of this year’s professionals. We are constantly impressed year after year by the industry’s best new advisers and 2018 brings no exception.

“This year’s program has a great pool of talent and we are honoured to be in the company of these professionals. They have already made great contributions to the industry through client service, outstanding advice and community engagement. It is important we support these advisers for the future of the advice industry and we look forward to helping them develop both personally and professionally.”

This year’s judging panel included:

• Phil Kewin – AFA CEO
• Don Sillar – Head of Sales, ANZ Wealth
• Jenny Brown – Founder and CEO of JBS Financial Strategists
• Vanessa Bennett – CEO Next Evolution Performance
• Patricia Garcia – Director and Financial Adviser WB Financial
• Matt Hale – Director and Senior Financial Planner Rising Tide

Finalists will attend a full day ‘Personal Breakaway’ workshop run by Slipstream Coaching on 12 September in Sydney, covering business, financial and personal objectives and ID profiling to help identify drivers and values.

The winner will receive quarterly, personalised coaching from experienced Business Coach and qualified financial adviser, Phil Little for 12 months.

The Award winner will be announced at the AFA National Adviser Conference at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on 10 October 2018.

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Don Sillar

ANZ has commissioned a mental health and wellness portal for advisers to help them develop a greater awareness about their own mental health and to facilitate more meaningful conversations with their clients about their wellbeing.

Mental health and wellbeing company Mindstar has developed the portal for ANZ giving advisers access to tools, information and education about mental health and wellness issues.

Advisers who attended the ANZ APEX Inspire national roadshow in May also received access to support via Mindstar’s wellbeing professionals; available for themselves, an employee or a family member.

Information about how to access support for small-business owners, support contact numbers and monthly e-newsletters are also available on the portal.

Almost half of Australia’s population will experience a mental illness at some stage in their lives, impacting thousands of workplace and families and costing the Australian economy $28.6 billion a year.

According to ANZ Wealth head of sales Don Sillar, advisers are in a powerful position to positively impact those affected.

“Advisers are on the frontline when it comes to listening and responding to highly personal and confidential information about their clients. However, a recent poll commissioned by ANZ revealed that on average, advisers ranked their knowledge of mental health issues and wellness at six out of 10.

“Nearly two thirds of the 500 advisers surveyed also told us they would like more information and training to help them identify and understand common mental health conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety.

“Our new health and wellness portal will equip advisers with resources to better understand their own health and wellbeing, as well as how to talk about such issues with their clients – and importantly, where to get help,” Mr Sillar said.”

The ANZ APEX Inspire events are designed to take advisers beyond advice, providing them with unique content and practical strategies and insights that they can implement in their personal and business lives.

The ANZ APEX Inspire roadshow held in May featured Samuel Johnson, 2018 Victorian Australian of the Year and 2016 Medal of the Order of Australia recipient, Mindstar CEO Aaron Williams and Mr Meditate’s chief meditation officer Tomas Jajesnica, who led advisers through a guided meditation session.

Johnson encouraged advisers to try and be open about mental health issues. “I really want to urge you to say something if your gut tells you something is wrong.”

He established the Love Your Sister charity with his sister Connie after she was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2010. The charity has raised more than $7 million for cancer research, including $2.5 million in 5¢ coins.

More than $24,000 was raised for Love Your Sister at the APEX Inspire events.

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Erin Truscott, AFA Rising Star 2016

ANZ and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has announced the six finalists for the 2017 AFA Rising Star of the Year Award.

Now in its 13th year, the award recognises advisers with a maximum four years’ experience, who have made a valuable contribution during their short time in the industry.

Don Sillar, Head of Sales, ANZ Wealth and Rising Star of the Year award judge, said: “Each year the judges are consistently impressed with this award’s calibre of nominees and 2017 is no exception.

“This year’s finalists have each made a positive impact in this industry through outstanding advice, client service and community engagement.”

Erin Truscott, 2016 AFA Rising Star Award Winner, said “This award is a fantastic platform for young advisers and the development opportunities awarded to this year’s finalists is unprecedented”.

The six finalists will receive a full day Mastering Motivation coaching session exploring tools and techniques that support success in a dynamic industry, before final judging day on 13 September 2017.

The 2017 AFA Rising Star of the Year Award finalists are:

• Andrew Debono – Financial Adviser, Announcer Group
• Karlee Hoog-Antink – Financial Adviser, Elders Financial Planning Mackay
• Keats Brydon – Financial Adviser, Finn Financial Planning
• Lauren Walker – Private Client Adviser, EUROZ Securities Limited
• Mia Taylor – Financial Adviser, Evalesco Financial Services
• Sam Jewell – Financial Adviser, Rising Tide Financial Services

They were selected by a judging panel including:

• Philip Kewin – Chief Executive Officer, Association of Financial Advisers
• Don Sillar – Head of Sales, ANZ Wealth
• Jenny Brown – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, JBS Financial Strategists
• Ben Nash – Financial Adviser and Founder, Pivot Wealth
• Laura Halbert – Head of Marketing, ANZ Wealth
• Chris Browne – Founder & Managing Director, Rising Tide

The winner will be announced at the AFA National Conference, held at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from 11-13 October 2017.

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Don Sillar

ANZ Wealth has launched its third series of APEX Lunch and Learn Webinars, helping advisers to remain informed during a period of ongoing industry and regulatory change.

The short, accessible, digital programs educate advisers on topics ranging from insurance industry issues, platforms and investments, technical and soft skills to practice management.

ANZ Wealth Head of Sales Don Sillar said: “Advisers tell us they are looking for easy-to-use, efficient tools to ensure their practice remains compliant and up-to-date with the most recent industry developments.

“We’ve had extremely positive feedback about the format and content of our first two webinar series and are pleased to launch this third series of online programs,” Mr Sillar said.

The APEX Lunch and Learn Webinar Series also offers advisers an opportunity to contribute towards their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) point requirements. Mr Sillar said: “Our APEX program reflects ANZ Wealth’s commitment to understanding adviser needs and supporting them with effective tools, insights and education to excel in
the advice industry.

“Alongside this webinar series, we offer advisers the APEX Insights Content Hub, Business Transformation Program and flagship annual event APEX Inspire,” he said.

The webinar series will run from 15 August 2017 – 21 September 2017. Advisers can register for the APEX Webinar Series from 19 July 2017.

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Back: Don Sillar, Georgie Gardner, Adam Goodes, Front: Kurt Fearnley

ANZ Wealth has highlighted the importance of overcoming adversity for financial advisors during its APEX Inspire summit in Sydney last week.

As part of the summit, advisers heard from guest speakers, former AFL star Adam Goodes and three-time Paralympic Gold Medallist Kurt Fearnley OAM, who shared their personal stories of using triumph and challenge as an opportunity for growth.

Fearnley said: “When I first got asked to present at APEX Inspire I took some time to work out how my experience related to financial advisers. It wasn’t obvious on the surface, but the more I learned, the more I realised my experience could help this audience with the challenges they face.

“It’s too easy to give up when things get hard and think about doing something else. But what I know is that there is actually strength in your vulnerability. Advisers have faced down some tough changes that have affected how they saw their careers evolving. Now it’s time to dig deep and feel pride in what they do to rebuild their own perception of themselves,” Fearnley said.

Don Sillar, Head of Sales for ANZ Wealth, said: “We know that advisers are facing immense pressure under a magnitude of change and new regulation within the industry. That’s why we invited speakers who have overcome incredible adversity to share their insights on purpose, commitment and resilience in achieving real success.”

“We’re hearing daily from advisers who are grappling with the pressures of shifting customer preferences, changing remuneration models, and major technological changes.

“Speaking to advisers on the day, and afterwards, I was heartened to hear that many found invaluable motivation from the insights Adam and Kurt shared,” Mr Sillar said.

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Launched in 2005, the Award is a highly desirable accolade for new advisers providing quality advice, who demonstrate a commitment to education and who are making a valuable contribution to their industry and to their community.

This year’s entrants demonstrated strong capabilities in all areas, highlighting the depth of the talent pool the advice industry is attracting.

AFA CEO Brad Fox says the Australian advice industry has been successful in making financial advice an attractive profession to new entrants, and in highlighting the real demand and need for good financial advice required by all Australians.

“This year’s entrants are particularly strong,” he says. “We are seeing the work the industry has done over the past five or so years to promote our profession now coming through in terms of professional qualifications, experience and most importantly, a desire to provide clear, transparent and trusted advice.”

ANZ Wealth Head of Sales, Don Sillar says, “The professionalism, education and passion of the candidates this year confirmed these Rising Stars are focused on delivering great advice to their clients.”

The 2016 AFA Rising Star of the Year Award finalists are:

• Peter Hodgson – ANZ Financial Planning
• Cathryn Gross – The Wealth Network
• Brent Story – AMP Financial Planning
• Maritza Kriel – Synchron
• Gregory Adam Bloom – Yellow Brick Road
• Erin Truscott – Financial Wisdom

This year’s judging panel included:

• Brad Fox – CEO of AFA
• Jenny Brown – Founder and CEO of JBS Financial Strategists
• Don Sillar – Head of Sales, ANZ Wealth
• Laura Halbert – Head of Marketing, ANZ Wealth
• Chris Browne – Founder Rising Tide and 2007 Rising Star Winner
• Dave Slovinec – State Director SA/NT – AFA
• Matthew Hawkins – State Director TAS – AFA, Director Scanlon Richardson Financial Group

The Award winner will be announced at the AFA National Conference at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on 7 October 2016.

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