Raamy Shahien

Raamy Shahien has outlined the next phase for Viridian Financial Group Limited (Viridian) as he leads the diversified financial services group as sole Chief Executive Officer.

Entering its second decade, and following TA Associates’ strategic investment in 2025, Viridian is focused on its next phase of growth. Viridian has established a wealth ecosystem converging advice, lending and investment solutions, supported by the governance and capability needed to serve clients across Australia.

Mr Shahien said the next phase will focus on translating the trust, scale and experience built over the past decade into stronger outcomes for clients and advisers.

“Over a decade on the frontline with clients and advisers has shaped how we think about advice, lending, investments and the overall client experience. We’re not interested in consolidation and scale for its own sake. The test is whether it makes the business better for clients and our people,” said Viridian Chief Executive Officer Raamy Shahien.

“That means continuing to invest in deeper specialist support and building a business that is simpler and easier to deal with — making it easier for clients and advisers to navigate and access advice, lending and investment solutions

Building for long term growth

Financial advice remains integral to Viridian’s strategy, with the group continuing to invest in adviser growth. More than nine advisers have recently completed their professional year, alongside ongoing recruitment of culturally aligned advisers and businesses.

Viridian will also continue to pursue selective acquisitions and partnerships to strengthen its presence in key markets and expand its capabilities. The group has integrated more than 20 businesses over the past decade, including mortgage broking firm Smartmove, acquired in 2023.

“Partnership has always been central to how we’ve grown the business,” Mr Shahien said.

This has strengthened Viridian’s ability to support clients across borrowing, debt and property decisions as part of a more holistic client experience. The group now looks after over $11 billion across its advice and lending.

Alongside advice and lending, Viridian’s well-established investment offering through Infinity continues to expand, with more than $6 billion in funds under management and a growing adviser base across and beyond the network.

“We’re seeing increasing demand from advisers for businesses to take greater responsibility for investment outcomes, particularly as the industry responds to recent disruption and a sharper focus on governance and accountability,” Mr Shahien said.

Backing growth with strong foundations

Mr Shahien said Viridian would continue to invest in technology, operating discipline and the broader foundations needed to support clients and staff as the business grows.

He said Viridian’s recent commitment to achieving Great Place to Work accreditation, together with ISO 27001 certification, reflected the importance of building a business with strong culture, sound governance and robust operating standards.

“These recognitions reflect the standards we expect across the business, from how we support our people to how we manage risk and deliver for clients over time,” Mr Shahien said.

The Viridian Foundation has also crossed a major milestone. Since launching in 2018, it has donated over $1.5m to the communities it serves, including more than $675,000 for the Jreissati Pancreatic Cancer Centre at Epworth through its annual step challenge.

Mr Shahien has played a central role in Viridian’s development over a number of years, including previously serving as Joint CEO. Glenn Calder, Viridian’s co-founder and former Joint CEO, remains closely involved in the business and is focused on mergers and acquisitions.

The post Raamy Shahien builds on Viridian Financial Group’s momentum as sole CEO appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Bryce Quirk

Colonial First State is pleased to announce leading financial advice network, Viridian Advisory, as a cornerstone client of CFS Edge.

CFS Group Executive Bryce Quirk said the new relationship with Viridian cements CFS Edge as a platform of choice for high quality and client-focused advice businesses. 

“We see a huge advice gap in the Australian market.  By choosing Edge, we believe professional advice businesses like Viridian are well positioned to help provide more advice to more Australians and to deliver even better outcomes for their clients,” Mr Quirk said.

“CFS Edge was co-developed with financial advisers and that really resonated with a group like Viridian. They understand how important it is to have a strong technology offering that is flexible, integrated and adviser friendly.”

Viridian Advisory is one of the largest wealth management practices in Australia with a team of 350 staff including more than 120 financial advisers. The group has a presence in 27 locations across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. 

Raamy Shahien, Joint CEO of Viridian Financial Group, said he was attracted to the strength of the technology features that are unique to CFS Edge.

“We like CFS’ continued investment in technology to transform the way advice is delivered,” he said.

“Viridian has always been dedicated to continuously improving outcomes for our clients and team. We view investment in capability, specialisation and technology coupled with open architecture central to achieving our aspirations in this space.” 

“Working with CFS will enhance our ability to unlock opportunities for advisers and their clients and provide a great platform for our continued growth with like-minded advice firms.”

CFS Edge is the first major new platform in the Australian wealth management sector in almost a decade.

Developed in collaboration with FNZ, a global leader in wealth management platforms, CFS Edge will transform the way advisers can service their clients through features not before seen in the Australian market.  The platform enables digital adviser workflows, advanced data analytics, an integrated app store and analysis tools for licensees, advisers and members.

Built with managed accounts at its core, CFS Edge offers advanced modelling tools designed to support deeper analysis through greater customisation and granularity in comparisons and portfolio analysis.

Yesterday’s announcement comes amid strong competition in the platform market, where close to $1 trillion is managed on behalf of Australian investors.^[1]

———

[1] Source: Plan for Life Platform Wrap Report, March 2023

The post Viridian Advisory selects CFS Edge as wealth platform and managed accounts provider appeared first on AdviserVoice.