Anne-Marie Elser

Padua Solutions has appointed joint founder, Anne-Marie Esler, as non-executive director and industry engagement lead, effective 1 January 2026. In her new role, Ms Esler will represent Padua across key industry and community initiatives as the company continues to expand the reach and influence of its end-to-end Advice Generation Platform.

As part of this appointment, Ms Esler will also assume the role of company secretary, supporting Padua’s ongoing engagement with shareholders and investors. She will step down from her current co-CEO position on 31 December 2025.

Anne-Marie Esler co-founded Padua Solutions with Matthew Esler in 2013. Since then the business has grown to nearly 90 employees across two offices, servicing over 100 advice firms and representing an increasingly meaningful share of the adviser market.

In 2025, Padua successfully completed its third capital raise and finalised the acquisitions of Wealth Data and Wealth X. These investments, together with Padua’s continued progress in AI-enabled automation, further strengthen its position as a leader in technology-driven advice production.

Reflecting on her transition, Ms Esler said her new role will allow her to focus more deeply on representing Padua within the industry and broader community, while continuing to support the company’s governance and investor relations.

“I am confident the business’s growth trajectory will remain strong. I look forward to continuing to represent Padua at conferences, industry events, university collaborations and as sponsor of the Women in Wealth Awards, as well as championing the role of women in financial services more broadly.”

Padua Chair, Peter O’Connell, said: “Anne-Marie and Matthew have built Padua into the strong business it is today. Anne-Marie’s continuing role on the board ensures she remains a key adviser to the company, with a particular focus on industry and community engagement – areas the board recognises as critical to Padua’s ongoing success.”

From 1 January 2026, Matthew Esler will assume the position of managing director and CEO.

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Kathryn Creasy

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced the winners of the 2021 FPA Awards.

Now in its ninth 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 Kathryn Creasy CFP® of Capital Partners in West Perth. The award acknowledges Kathryn’s outstanding approach to providing comprehensive financial planning advice to her clients but also her passion for mentoring those within her team and the broader profession.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said: “Kathryn exemplifies our FPA membership as a modern professional financial planner. She is a shining example to all those that are considering a career in financial planning and the life-changing difference our work can make with a client.”

The winner of the “FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award” is Sydney-based Apt Wealth (NSW). The judges commented that it’s not easy to establish and be recognised as one of the 2021 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work in financial services.

Winning the “FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award” for 2021 is Leanne Bielik AFP® of 2020 Wealth PTY LTD (VIC). The judges noted that Leanne has paved the way to help those in need in the community get the help and support only a professional financial planner can provide them throughout the pandemic. Leanne also spends time in online communities supporting single mothers and clients who have had previous poor advice outcomes to get back on track.

The winner of the “FPA Advice Innovation Award” is Daniel Thompson AFP® of FINNACLE (NSW). The award was introduced last year to recognise members who have automated their advice process or used technology in new ways to engage with clients and/or deliver advice. Daniel has taken a blank piece of paper approach and an agile mindset to create a novel subscription based advice service. Through testing and improving constantly, Daniel and his team have created an innovative, affordable and easily accessible advice business for the benefit of his clients.

The “FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award” was given to Andrew Mann CFP® of Tupicoffs (QLD). The judges commented that Andrew is an example of what it is to excel in one’s craft. This award is a celebration of Andrew’s career and excellence in paraplanning, particularly his ability to be engaging, pulling complex threads together in such a way that embraces the client’s capacity to absorb information, and deal with matters that are important to the client.

The winner of the “FPA University Student of the Year Award” is Nicole Gardner of Kaplan Professional (VIC). Nicole has forged successful careers in journalism and in the banking sector. Inspired by the financial hardship that a close relative endured, she was determined to become a financial planner and to work hard to ensure that women and those entering aged care are financially educated and set up for success. She is now achieving a high standard of academic achievement whilst working in the financial planning profession and supporting a family.

The winner of the “FPA Community Service Award” supported by the Future2 Foundation is Peter O’Connell CFP® (VIC). The judging panel said that Peter has been a strong supporter of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation in the Ballarat and Western Victoria area. For the past 15 years he has provided financial literacy education advice to the Indigenous community. He also supports the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation with their accounting and financial planning requirements.

The FPA gratefully acknowledges the time and expertise provided by the 2021 FPA judging panel:

Certified Financial Planner of the Year
Alison Henderson CFP®
David Sharpe CFP®
Marisa Broome CFP®

Financial Planner AFP of the Year
Michelle Tate-Lovery CFP®
Ben Marshan CFP®
Nat Daley AFP®

FPA Professional Planner of the Year
Diana D’Ambra
Julie Matheson CFP®
Neil Kendall CFP®

FPA Advice Innovation Award
Ben Marshan CFP®
Andy Marshall
Fraser Jack

FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award
William Johns CFP®
Vicky Ampoulos
Mark O’Toole CFP®

FPA University Student of the Year
Anne Palmer FPA
Diana Bugarcic – TAFE NSW
Vicky Ampoulos

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