Matt Fenning

Leading Australian financial advice firm Esencia Wealth has announced its merger with Generation Wealth Partners, a Sydney-based practice specialising in high-net-worth clients, adding approximately 250 clients to the firm and further advancing its vision to support 10,000 clients nationally.

Generation Wealth Partners has built a high-quality advice business centred on enduring client relationships and exceptional client care. Joining Esencia Wealth represents the next chapter in the firm’s journey, providing access to a broader range of specialist capabilities, greater resources and deeper expertise across the business.

The merger brings principals Peter Lee and Joe Jutrisa to Esencia Wealth, with both joining as Partners and Senior Financial Advisers.

In addition, the merger brings together two firms with a shared commitment to excellence, meaningful client outcomes and changing clients’ lives through great financial advice; and expands Esencia Wealth’s presence in the high-net-worth market.

Matthew Fenning, Chief Executive Officer of Esencia Wealth, said the merger reflected the growing number of quality advice firms looking for a long-term partner that aligned with their values and approach to client care.

Mr Fenning said: “Peter and Joe have built a great business based on trust, strong client relationships and a genuine commitment to doing what’s best for their clients. Their values, approach and focus on client outcomes align closely with the culture we are building at Esencia.

“By joining Esencia, Peter and Joe can spend more time focused on what they do best, helping clients achieve their goals through great advice, while their clients benefit from the broader capability, resources and depth of expertise across our business. It also creates the capacity for them to help more Australians access great financial advice in the years ahead. Generation Wealth Partners is a great example of how we can preserve what makes a business special, and we’re delighted to welcome Peter, Joe and their clients to Esencia.”

Mr Lee, incoming Partner and Senior Financial Adviser at Esencia Wealth, said: “We started Generation Wealth Partners because we believed there was a better way to serve clients and their families, with genuine relationships, personalised advice and a real focus on the long term. Joining Esencia Wealth means we can keep delivering on that promise, while giving our clients access to the depth of expertise and resources that come with a growing national firm.”

Mr Jutrisa, incoming Partner and Senior Financial Adviser at Esencia Wealth, said: “The connection we had with senior people at Esencia made this decision straightforward. We have a shared vision about the kind of firm we want to be part of, and the kind of advice we want to deliver. I’m excited about what we can offer our clients as part of Esencia and the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue helping them achieve their financial goals.”

Jeff Singh of Chase Corporate Advisory acted as adviser on the merger.

The merger with Generation Wealth Partners follows Esencia Wealth’s merger with Cove Financial Group in June 2026, and its Queensland expansion in April 2026. Since launching in 2024, the firm has completed a series of mergers as part of a deliberate strategy to bring high-quality advice practices, their clients and their people together within a growing national business. Esencia Wealth has indicated that further strategic growth initiatives are expected before the end of the calendar year as the firm continues to execute on its long-term vision of building an enduring world-class advice firm.

Mr Fenning said: “We are building a firm where great advisers can do the best work of their careers and where clients receive the advice they need to achieve their goals with confidence. Through our focus on innovation, exceptional client experiences and investing in our people, we are creating an enduring world-class advice firm that will continue changing clients’ lives for generations to come.”

The post Esencia Wealth strengthens Sydney presence with Generation Wealth Partners merger appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Central to Esencia Wealth’s recruitment and retention strategy is a commitment to creating long-term opportunities for its people, including extending equity ownership beyond advisers. The number of shareholders in the firm has grown from seven to 30 in the past six months, with around 60 per cent of shareholders now drawn from employees who have built their careers within the business. Shareholders span every part of Esencia Wealth including the executive leadership, advice, client experience, operations and growth functions.

Matthew Fenning, CEO of Esencia Wealth, said: “We’ve always believed that the people helping to build Esencia should have the opportunity to share in its success. As the business grows, we want more of our people to think and act like owners because that’s how great organisations are built. Expanding ownership is about recognising contribution, creating opportunity and giving people a genuine stake in what we’re building together. That’s the kind of firm we’re building at Esencia.”

Retention at the firm is at 96% in the past two-and-a-half years, even as headcount has grown from 16 to 64 people in the same period. By comparison, the average Australian organisation loses around 15% of its workforce each year, based on Australian Human Resources Institute data for the 12 months to June 2025.^[1]

Growth built on people

Esencia Wealth’s retention and ownership story sits alongside a period of rapid growth for the firm:

• 175% client growth over two years
• Headcount up from 16 to 64 over the past two years, across advice, operations and support teams
• 26 new hires in the past 18 months, including senior additions such as:
  • Chief Financial Officer, Aphrodite Judi
  • Partners, Mark Aranj and Rachel Barlow
  • Senior Financial Adviser, David Smith
• 11 internal promotions in the past 18 months, within teams across the entire business
• Expansion of the firm’s Advisory Board with the appointment of:
  • Peter Maher (former Macquarie Executive)
  • Glenn Elliott (CEO, Meldus; Co-Founder & Director, Practifi)
  • Fiona Vale (Co-Founder, Humanico)
  • Kate Fuller (Managing Director Sydney, Fuller)

Career compass

Esencia Wealth points to Career Compass as a cornerstone of its people strategy. The framework provides pathways for progression, enabling employees to deepen their expertise, broaden their experience, take on greater responsibilities and advance their careers as the firm grows.

Two recent examples illustrate how the framework plays out in practice:

• Jai Won Ri joined Esencia Wealth as Client Engagement Manager and has since progressed to Marketing Manager, extending her remit beyond client engagement to now playing a leading role in executing the firm’s broader growth strategy. Won Ri was also recently named ‘Esencian’ of the Year.
• Tabitha Wedd joined Esencia as Finance Manager and has since been promoted to Financial Controller, also illustrating how employees can build their careers and take on increasingly senior roles as the firm evolves.

Other recent internal moves reflect the same pattern across the business:

• Jeffrey Wrightson’s role expanded, from Managing Partner to Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer;
• Nina Kazmierczak was promoted from Founder Partner & Senior Financial Adviser to Head of Advice Quality & Risk;
• Three Senior Financial Advisers – Graham Yon, Jane Mitchell and Tyler Ryan – were promoted to Partner & Senior Financial Adviser.

Culture recognised internally and externally

Esencia Wealth measures culture through its internal Motivation & Engagement Index, which the firm describes as “consistently high,” alongside an annual awards program recognising its three pillars of excellence: innovation, client outcomes and a people-first culture. Award recipients include:

• ‘Esencian’ of the Year: Jai Won Ri
• Innovation Award: Samuel Fenning
• Client Experience Award: Vicky Nguyen
• People & Culture Award: Yue Leng

“We believe exceptional client outcomes start with exceptional people. When people build long-term careers, take ownership and grow with the firm, clients benefit from continuity, trust and relationships that strengthen over time. That’s the foundation we’re building Esencia on, as we expand nationally,” Mr Fenning said.

The post Esencia Wealth: a growth story built on ownership and opportunity appeared first on AdviserVoice.

QSuper and Sunsuper finalise merger with over two million members.

Leading Australian advice firm Esencia Wealth has announced its expansion into Queensland, merging with two financial advice firms and adding approximately 300 clients to its growing portfolio.

The company recently completed a multi-merger with Financial 3 Wealth and Marsden Wealth Advisers, marking a significant milestone in Esencia Wealth’s national growth strategy and establishing its first office in the Queensland market.

The mergers bring four new financial advisers and an expanded team to Esencia Wealth, with several additional appointments planned in the coming months. The new Queensland team will operate from 1 Eagle Street in Brisbane’s CBD.

The merger also results in the appointment of two new Partners to Esencia Wealth: Travis Hinchy from Financial 3 Wealth, and Richard Marsden from Marsden Wealth Advisers.

Matthew Fenning, Chief Executive Officer of Esencia Wealth, said: “Our expansion into Queensland represents a significant step in building a truly national advice business. Financial 3 Wealth and Marsden Wealth Advisers share our commitment to exceptional client service, a people-first culture, and an innovation mindset, making them ideal partners to lead the establishment of our presence in Queensland.

“Travis and Richard bring deep client relationships and significant expertise to Esencia Wealth. Together with their teams, they exemplify the quality and client focus that defines our firm.”

Co-founder and Managing Director of Financial 3 Wealth, Travis Hinchy said: “I am excited to join the Esencia Wealth team, whose culture aligns with the spirit that Financial 3 was built on – our clients can look forward to a continuity of service excellence and care.”

Richard Marsden, Principal, Marsden Wealth Advisers, said: “Joining Esencia Wealth holds great appeal, as I can keep delivering a tailored client approach to helping clients achieve their financial goals, with the support of a dedicated team. I’m really pleased to be part of a business with a values-based leadership team steering us to achieve growth, while staying focused on quality.”

The Queensland expansion follows Esencia Wealth’s recent merger with FMA Wealth Management, announced in February 2026, demonstrating the firm’s sustained momentum in attracting quality advice practices.

Mr Fenning said: “We’re focused on building a world-class advice business where experienced advisers and emerging talent can thrive together. Our Queensland team will serve to amplify our purpose – to change our clients’ lives.”

The post Esencia Wealth expands into Queensland with a multi-merger appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Frank MacDonagh

Leading Australian advice firm Esencia Wealth has announced a milestone in its national growth strategy, merging with FMA Wealth and welcoming renowned financial adviser Frank MacDonagh as a Senior Financial Adviser and as a member of the firm’s Advisory Board.

The merger and appointment underscore Esencia Wealth’s commitment to scaling its operations while maintaining its focus on client experience, innovation and a people-first culture.

Matthew Fenning, Chief Executive Officer of Esencia Wealth, said: “Our merger with FMA Wealth demonstrates our continued commitment to sustainable growth, built on exceptional people and deep client relationships.

“Over 18 months ago we launched Esencia Wealth, created out of a merger between four likeminded advice firms. Since then, we have been in talks with other quality firms looking to join a dynamic, future-focused advice business. We are thrilled to welcome FMA Wealth and Frank, whose passion for his clients and personal values align perfectly with ours.”

Mr MacDonagh brings a distinguished career to Esencia Wealth, having spent 25 years running FMA Wealth, advising high net-worth and professional clients across Australia. He is renowned for advice that stems from empathy and genuine understanding, aligning well with Esencia Wealth’s purpose – to change clients’ lives.

His skills and experience have been honed through decades of client work and senior roles at major investment banks and consulting firms in Sydney, London, and Tokyo, including at Merrill Lynch and KPMG.

On joining Esencia Wealth, Mr MacDonagh said: “It is a natural next step for me as well as for my clients. I have been very impressed by Esencia Wealth’s dynamic approach and vision for the future of financial advice. The opportunity to contribute to the firm’s direction on the Advisory Board, and to work with a relationship-focused team, was incredibly compelling. I look forward to contributing to Esencia Wealth and to our clients’ continued success.”

Mr MacDonagh’s arrival has been warmly received across Esencia Wealth, with his experience reinforcing the firm’s commitment to exceptional client experience, high professional standards, and the development of its people. His appointment adds further depth to the advisory team – presenting a valuable opportunity for team members to learn from an adviser recognised for leading by example, and to grow professionally.

Mr Fenning said: “Experienced leadership is central to our vision of building a world‑class advice business. Our Senior Advisers set the standard across the firm, underpinning our purpose to positively change our clients’ lives.”

The post Esencia Wealth merges with FMA Wealth appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Matt Fenning

Financial advice firm Esencia Wealth has opened its new Sydney office at Governor Phillip Tower, following the merger of four advice businesses: Advise Wise, Insight Private Wealth, Sovereign Wealth Partners and Randle Advisory.

With over 1000 clients, and a combined legacy spanning over 100 years, the Esencia team are dedicated to helping Australians make life-changing decisions with their money.

Matthew Fenning, newly appointed CEO of Esencia, said: “Our four firms have come together to capture the opportunity in a diverged market to build a world-class advice business – one that enhances the existing ethos of each firm to use financial advice as a mechanism for changing clients’ lives.”

The business’ name means essence in Spanish. The intent of the brand is to inspire clients, staff and partners alike to consider what truly matters, and to understand how quality financial advice is a key driver to achieving the future they desire.

Mr Fenning said: “Our purpose is a continuation of the values that each of our businesses held dear, centred on marrying deeply personal relationships with integrity. As we plan to expand further, we will be looking to partner with and acquire other firms that share these values and our aspirations.

“The merger of the founding members of Esencia made sense because we found similarities across our business cultures – and cultural alignment is the cornerstone of a successful integration.”

Currently Esencia’s client groups include high-net-worth families, professionals, retirees and medicos, and the business offers advice by women for women. The business’ growth strategy will see a continuation of this house of niches approach to attracting new clients.

The new leadership team of Esencia will also include former Macquarie executive Jeffrey Wrightson as Managing Partner, Insight Private Wealth Principal Sam Stillone as Head of Growth, and former Shadforth Financial Group co-founder and Director Jim Kilkenny as Chairman. The team plans to build on their expertise with additional hires.

Esencia is committed to championing the professionalisation of the advice industry, as the industry emerges from a period of upheaval to an era of stability and growth. Part of this includes creating career pathways for its own as well as new staff.

Mr Fenning said: “Traditionally the advice industry has struggled to develop a transparent career pathway that is commonly found in professional services firms. By establishing this in our business, we can provide those entering anywhere from the ground floor up with an opportunity to progress and become a partner in the business. This is critical for attracting and retaining talent and, importantly, another marker of professionalism in the advice industry.

“The confluence of significant industry change, an ageing population, the multi-trillion dollar intergenerational transfer of wealth, and exponential growth of the superannuation system, places advisers in a critical position in the coming years and decades, in determining the prosperity and quality of life of Australians.”

The post Esencia Wealth launches from merger of four like-minded advice firms, targets further M&A appeared first on AdviserVoice.