Steve Helmich

TAL is committed to the important role that independent financial advisers provide in delivering quality advice to Australian consumers. To support that commitment TAL is re-affirming the importance of its growing Affinia business with two key appointments: Mr Steve Helmich as Chair to the Affinia Board and Marcus O’Sullivan as Head of Affinia.

Affinia is a specialised licensee of independent risk advisers and offers advisers a life risk business culture with rigorous compliance frameworks, technology tools and professional development.

Affinia has ambitious growth plans over the next three years and the appointments of Steve and Marcus will help drive the execution of Affinia’s strategy.

TAL Group CEO Brett Clark said the appointment of Steve to the Affinia Board as Chair is an important appointment for Affinia and will bring enormous depth and experience of financial advice to the Affinia Board.

“We are very excited that Steve will Chair the Affinia Board. Steve has had an outstanding career in financial services and financial advice in particular. Steve will provide invaluable direction for Affinia, supporting our growth objectives and ensuring it operates efficiently and effectively, particularly during this transition period for the industry. We are committed to advisers and the important role high quality financial advice has in the community. Steve’s stewardship will ensure excellent leadership to the Affinia Board.

“It is crucial that our board has strong governance structures in place and I am confident Steve will provide unique expertise and insight for our Affinia business to help drive our growth ambition. I am absolutely delighted he has accepted the role of Chair”, Mr Clark said.

Of the appointment, Mr Helmich said: “I am very excited about the opportunity with Affinia and the TAL Group. It became clear to me early in the process that Brett and his team are determined to see Affinia become one of the leading licensees in the advice profession with a strong focus on supporting advisers to provide the best possible advice and service to their clients. This combination of putting clients first and being very adviser focussed had great appeal to me and made my decision to take on the role an easy one.”

Steve joins as Chair of Affinia after a long and very successful career at AMP.

Marcus will be Head of Affinia, effective 1 November. Marcus has extensive experience working with financial advisers. He has been an executive with TAL since 2012.

“Marcus is passionate about financial advice and has over 20 years’ experience and has held a number of senior management positions across life companies, reinsurers and dealer groups, including chief underwriter and director of life-risk. We welcome Marcus to the role,” Mr Clark said.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Craig Parker for his leadership of Affinia. Craig launched Affinia and his commitment and passion to the business has made it what it is today. We are currently working with Craig on new opportunities within TAL.”

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Steve Helmich

AMP Limited today announced that Steve Helmich will leave AMP in September 2015 to pursue other opportunities in the industry following a 41 year career with the company.

Joining AMP as a junior New Business Clerk in 1973, Mr Helmich has held a number of senior roles at AMP, including leading the financial planning business.  He is currently Executive Director of Financial Planning.

In 2007 Mr Helmich was honoured as a lifetime member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) for his services to the industry.

AMP’s Group Executive Advice and Banking Rob Caprioli said Mr Helmich had made a considerable contribution to AMP.

“Steve is one of AMP’s longest serving employees and I’d like to thank him for his commitment and loyalty.  His achievements are extensive, in particular his work to increase adviser professionalism, our ongoing focus on providing high quality service to our customers and the development of AMP’s financial planning model.

“Steve was the driving force behind the creation of AMP’s Horizons Academy and has led the way in improving education standards for advisers, not just within AMP, but across the industry,” Mr Caprioli said.

Mr Helmich will continue to Chair the International Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) and is also Chair of Future2, the FPA Foundation.

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Future2 Wheel Classic set for November 2015.

Future2 has announced that its flagship fundraiser, a city-to-city cycling event, will take a 1,080 km route from Sydney to Brisbane between 10 and 18 November 2015.

The Future2 Wheel Classic will arrive in Brisbane for the opening of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) Professionals Congress, where riders will be welcomed by hundreds of peers gathered for the financial planning profession’s annual signature event.

Expressions of interest have already been made by financial planners from around Australia, keen to test their mettle over nine days and to help Future2 raise funds.

The funds raised will bring new opportunity and hope to socially and financially disadvantaged young Australians through Future2’s Make the Difference! Grants. The grants are awarded to community not-for-profits following applications supported by a local financial planning professional who is a member of the FPA.

FPA Chair, Neil Kendall welcomed the prospect of the cyclists’ arrival in Brisbane. “The Wheel Classic is all about financial planning professionals giving back to the community through their participation in the ride. They are doing something they love while also helping to better the lives of young people who are in need, and at risk. That’s a great result all round.

“It’s fitting that the cyclists should arrive to an enthusiastic and appreciative reception from their peers. Last year, the Wheel Classic ride from Melbourne to Adelaide raised over $141,000 net and we hope we can achieve the same success this year.”

Future2 Chair Steve Helmich congratulated the 2014 Wheel Classic participants for their fundraising and personal achievement. “We look forward to having many of you back for another successful Wheel Classic in 2015 – and to welcoming more financial planners who are inspired to change the lives of young people for the better.”

The Wheel Classic events held since 2009 have raised a total of over $460,000 after expenses. Other routes have included Bourke to Sydney (2010 and 2011), Sydney to Melbourne (2012) and Melbourne to Sydney (2013).

The 2015 Wheel Classic plans to meet with Future2 grant recipients BackTrack Youth Works and Beyond Empathy while in Armidale.

Online registrations to cycle the 2015 Wheel Classic will open in early March.

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Kathy Havers

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), last week announced Kathy Havers from Catalyst Financial Group as the national winner of the 2014 Future2 Community Service of the Year Award. Ms Havers also won the 2014 State Award in Victoria.

The Future2 Community Service Award recognises FPA members who have, in a pro bono or public service capacity, made an outstanding contribution to improving the circumstances of the most socially excluded or financially disadvantaged members of the community.

Mr Mark Rantall FPA CEO noted that the Future2 awards are in tune with the theme for this year’s Professional Congress ‘Inspiring Greatness’: “Ms Havers has inspired greatness with her commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged young Australians.”

Kathy is passionate about community service and philanthropy. She is Director of the Kindred Sprits Foundation and is activity involved in the Palgun Wurnagat Women’s Association in a remote area of the Northern Territory. She assisted with the purchase of a processing plant for native Northern Territory food which has created jobs for 200 indigenous people – jobs that were not otherwise available in their community.

Kathy also conducts talks about finance for Autism Victoria – a support group for parents with autistic children and provides free one on one sessions with families to help them navigate the system which is made all that more difficult and complex with a child with a disability.

She was excited to learn of her win, saying “You haven’t truly lived until you have done something wonderful for someone who can never possibly repay you. I am very humbled and honoured to receive the award from the Future2 Foundation who are doing some wonderful work, everyone should get on board.”

Steve Helmich, Director of Advice and Client Solutions at AMP and one of the judges of the Future2 Community Service Award. Mr Helmich said: “There were some outstanding candidates this year that are committed to improving the circumstances of the most socially excluded and financially disadvantaged members of the community. All Australians deserve access to trusted advice, and this award is testament to how financial planners can make a real difference to the wider community.”

Runners up include WA State Winner Joseph Hoe from Wealthwise and NSW State Winner William Johns from Health and Finance Integrated.

The FPA Awards were presented during the FPA Professionals Congress in Adelaide on 19th – 21st of November. Click here for more information on the awards.

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The FPA Awards revealed next week.

The winners of the prestigious 2014 Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) Awards have now been chosen and will be revealed next week at the FPA Professionals Congress on the 19^th – 21^st of November in Adelaide.

According to Mark Rantall, FPA CEO, the awards are more relevant than ever given recent events in the industry. In particular, he pointed to the debate around professional and education standards, which has picked up serious momentum over the course of the year, saying the FPA Awards acknowledge those planners who show true professional leadership.

“We’ve been on a journey as a profession and we’ve recently achieved some major milestones, including a commitment by the major players in our industry to raise standards in order to secure the trust of Australians. Against this backdrop, we are thrilled to be able to reward those planners whohave consistently gone above and beyond to deliver great results for their clients; have contributed to the profession through community involvement; and have mentored and supported their local FPA member base,” Mr Rantall said.

FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® Professional of the Year Award

One of the key FPA Awards is the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® (CFP^®) Professional of the Year Award, which recognises CFP^® professionals who have demonstrated the highest professional standards embodied by an FPA member. Lisa Weissel, CFP^® and Senior Financial Adviser at Evergreen Wealth Professionals, is one of the judges of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^®Professional of the Year Award. Ms Weissel said she was impressed by the high calibre of the award entries this year and said this is a reflection of the increased focus of the profession on lifting the standards of advice.

“The candidates for the CFP^® award demonstrated the great work they are doing to provide clear advice that their clients can easily understand and apply in order to reach their goals. Many of these planners have strong frameworks for engaging and communicating with clients, which in turn help deliver the best outcomes. This is a mark of excellence in our profession.”

FPA Financial Planner AFP^® of the Year Award

The Financial Planner AFP^® of the Year Award recognises AFP^® members of the FPA who have demonstrated the highest professional standards.

Rob Pyne, CFP^® and Director at HPH Solutions, is one of the judges of the Financial Planner AFP^®of the Year Award and a previous winner of an FPA Award. Mr Pyne commented on the number of high quality award entries this year and spoke of the benefits of winning the award in 2012.

“The quality of work as evidenced by the applications was excellent. From my experience, the benefits of winning an FPA Award were visible both personally and professionally. Having an award from the leading professional organisation gives you credibility by virtue of that award and this is more important now than ever.”

Future2 Community Service Award

The Future2 Community Service Award recognises FPA members who have made an outstanding contribution to the wider community.
Steve Helmich, Director of Advice and Client Solutions at AMP, is one of the judges of the Future2 Community Service Award. Mr Helmich said: “There were some outstanding candidates this yearthat are committed to improving the circumstances of the most socially excluded and financially disadvantaged members of the community. All Australians deserve access to trusted advice, and this award is testament to how financial planners can make a real difference to the wider community.”

Lisa Weissel, Rob Pyne and Steve Helmich are three of the nine highly credentialed members of the financial planning community who judged the FPA Awards this year.

The FPA Awards will be presented during the FPA Professionals Congress in Adelaide on 19th – 21st of November. For more information on the awards, visit http://fpa.asn.au/awards/

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Marianne Perkovic, Executive General Manager Advice at Commonwealth Bank, was unanimously endorsed as a Future2 director/trustee at a recent board meeting, for a three year term.

Future2 Chair Steve Helmich warmly welcomed Ms Perkovic to the board. “Marianne is one of the most outstanding women in Australian financial services. We have no doubt that our board will benefit hugely from her contribution, drawn on a long and distinguished career.

“As Future2 works towards greater engagement by financial planners in their profession’s charitable foundation, Marianne’s enormous breadth of experience in the advice sector will be invaluable to us”, he added.

Ms Perkovic has twenty years’ experience in financial services. She joined the Commonwealth Bank Group in 2010 as General Manager of Distribution at Colonial First State and was promoted to Executive General Manager CBA Wealth Management in 2012. Prior to joining CBA she was with Count Financial Limited for more than 11 years, being appointed CEO and MD in 2006. That appointment made her the youngest female CEO of an ASX listed company. Marianne holds directorships across a number of CBA’s subsidiary boards.

On her appointment Perkovic said, “I am very passionate about the important role that advice and the industry play in helping people achieve their goals and provide them with more life choices. I feel privileged to have been asked to join the board and look forward to continuing the great work Future2 is doing,” she added.

The Future2 board now numbers 9 directors/trustees, including three who are nominated by the board of the Financial Planning Association.

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Some of the 2013 Future2 Wheel Classic cyclists.

Cyclists in the financial planning community can now register online to join the 2014 Future2 Wheel Classic. Their challenge is raise $100,000 by riding from Melbourne to Adelaide, 13-19 November, arriving to a reception on the eve of the FPA Professionals Congress.

Now in its fifth year, the Future2 Wheel Classic has become an iconic fundraising event both for the cyclists who take part and in the wider financial planning profession. Funds raised enable Future2 to make grants to community not-for-profits that give disadvantaged kids all over Australia a new start and hope for a better future.

“The Wheel Classic showcases the best of our profession. It’s about accepting a personal challenge that pushes the boundaries, doing the right thing as a professional, and creating better lives for those in need”, says Future2 Chair Steve Helmich.

Over $420,000 has been raised in the first four years of the ride from cyclists’ own fundraising efforts and corporate support. This year’s target is $100,000.

“The interest is already high, both from teams and individuals” says Ray Griffin, a founding trustee of Future2 who, with fellow trustee Peter Bobbin, was the inspiration for the event and rode in all four Future2 Wheel Classic events. “We’ve also had an expression of interest from Japan, so we may have our first international participant this year.”

Ride virtual!

Sign up now

Wheel Classic sign up and fundraising

A 10% discount applies to registrations made up to 31 May. Registration closes on 31 August. Cyclists may register for any combination of days, or for the whole ride. They may register as individuals or as a team member. Once registered, they set up an online fundraising page and a target for fundraising.

Cyclists who exceed higher fundraising targets will have the option to take a refund of their registration fee, or to give it to Future2 as a tax-deductible donation.

Special discount on FPA Professionals Congress

All FPA members who register to ride the Wheel Classic will be eligible for a 10% discount on registration for the FPA Professionals Congress in Adelaide, 20-21 November, and a 25% discount if they reach higher fundraising targets.

* Attainment of the higher target will qualify riders for a 50% refund of their registration fee. qualify for refund of registration fee.

Virtual Wheel Classic

 The registration fee for the Virtual Wheel Classic is $90 (until 31 May); $100 from 1 June to 31 August. Virtual Wheel Classic participants are expected to raise at least $250. If they reach the higher target of $1,000, a 50% refund of registration is offered.

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Patrick Canion

An expanding grants program, stronger financial position and closer collaboration with the Financial Planning Association and its members, have created a firm foundation for Future2 as it enters a seventh year of operation.

Gathered for a strategy and board meeting in late January, Future2 welcomed two additional board directors: Patrick Canion and Mark Rantall . Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in mid 2013 between Future2 and FPA with a view to cementing and extending their relationship, three FPA board directors now sit on the Future2 board.

“A more broadly based board and clear succession plan are key to the next stage of Future2’s growth,” said Steve Helmich, Future2 Chair

“We are considering skills and experience sets that will complement those of the current board and we will make further appointments that continue to strengthen our capacity for good governance, fundraising and grant making,” he added.

Taking stock of achievements, Future2 trustees noted:

“Financial planners measure their success through the difference they make in the lives of clients. Many are also actively engaged in their wider communities to give a helping hand to people struggling with disadvantage and exclusion. Their involvement with and support for Future2’s charitable giving is another sign of this strong community focus and professional responsibility,”Mr Helmich said.

“Looking forward, Future2 trustees agreed strategic priorities are to:

• Further increase engagement and emotional ‘buy-in’ with Future2 among FPA Chapters and members
• Help to build respect of financial planners in the community
• Create a longer term engagement with the community organizations that receive grants
• Increase the total value of grants made in 2014 to $70,000 and in 2015 to $100,000

“You only need to hear the stories of some of the young people who have benefited from grants, and to read their heartfelt notes of thanks, to know that we are making a difference that far exceeds the value of the money we are able to give,” Mr Helmich said.

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Pauline Blight-Johnston

AMP has announced key leadership appointments for its two newly created business divisions – Insurance and Superannuation, and Advice and Banking effective 20 January 2014.

The appointments come after AMP CEO Craig Meller announced his leadership team in October and are the next step in creating a leaner, more efficient and increasingly customer-driven organisation.

AMP Group Executive Pauline Blight-Johnston of the newly created Insurance and Superannuation division has made three appointments to her leadership team. The division is responsible for the company’s risk insurance, superannuation, investment, pensions and platforms business portfolios.

Megan Beer has been appointed Director, Insurance and will join AMP from NAB in February 2014.

Ms Beer has over 20 years’ experience in the actuarial and insurance industry. Prior to AMP she headed up NAB’s wealth management and insurance proposition through the bank channel, as General Manager Bancassurance and Direct.

Ms Beer will be responsible for driving AMP’s insurance business through a time of change for the industry, and bringing together services from across AMP to provide a sustainable and attractive customer insurance experience.

Patricia Montague has been appointed Director of Superannuation with responsibility for superannuation, retirement and platform investment products. Ms Montague joined AMP in August 2013 as Director Wealth Management Products.

Ms Montague joined AMP from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia where she was the General Manager of Retail Customers and Transformation.

Melinda Howes has been appointed Director Product Strategy and Services with responsibility for portfolio strategy and shared technical services across the Insurance and Superannuation business.

Ms Howes joined AMP in November 2013 from the Actuaries Institute, where she was CEO for more than three years. She has held senior positions at ASFA, and at BT Financial Group where she was Director of Superannuation and Retirement Products. She is well known in the industry for her expertise in issues around retirement, longevity and superannuation adequacy.

Ms Blight-Johnston said the appointments put AMP in a strong position to deliver a great experience to its customers in the rapidly changing insurance and superannuation environment.

“This is a strong team with the depth and breadth of experience we need to sustainably deliver the right solutions to our customers and to continue to remain contemporary and successful in a quickly changing world,” Ms Blight-Johnston said.

The AMP Advice and Banking division led by Group Executive Rob Caprioli is responsible for AMP’s advice, banking and corporate superannuation business portfolios; effectively bringing together the key channels through which customers come to AMP.

Mr Caprioli has made the following appointments to his team:

Steve Helmich takes on the role of Executive Director Financial Planning. AMP will leverage Mr Helmich’s extensive experience and understanding of the financial advice profession within its multiple advice brands and with external audiences. Mr Helmich will also represent AMP locally and internationally on key boards and forums.

The management of AMP’s advice businesses’ five licensees will be streamlined under three management teams.

Michael Guggenheimer, currently Managing Director of AMP’s biggest licensee, AMP Financial Planning (AMPFP) will have additional responsibility for Hillross. Tim Steele as Managing Director of ipac and Genesys will take on additional responsibility for Genesys, while Kevin Stone will continue as Managing Director of Charter Financial Planning.

Hugh Humphrey has been appointed Director Channel Strategy and Transformation and will be responsible for aligning business strategies with customer expectations across AMP’s channels. Mr Humphrey was previously Managing Director of Hillross.

Libby Roy and Mike Lawrence remain in their respective roles as Director Corporate Superannuation and Managing Director AMP Bank.

Mr Caprioli said the new division’s structure means that AMP has, for the first time, a single leadership team responsible for the primary ways customers join AMP.

“The significant depth of talent and experience in my team means we can deliver a seamless, effortless and personalised experience for our customers, no matter how they choose to begin a relationship with us. We will work closely with the rest of the business to deliver the products and services our customers want,” Mr Caprioli said.

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Twenty Future2 Wheel Classic cyclists.

Twenty financial advisers and friends were elated as they rolled into the Sydney CBD last weekend at the end of a nine-day, 1250 km cycle ride from Melbourne to Sydney.

“They had completed the ride of a lifetime, smashing personal goals and physical challenges, with the added satisfaction of knowing they had raised tens of thousands of dollars to help disadvantaged young Australians”, said Steve Helmich, Future2 Chair.

The Future2 Wheel Classic is generously supported by AMP Financial Planning (Gold Partner) and Matrix Planning Solutions (Silver Partner).  This was the fourth annual fundraising cycle ride organised by Future2, the foundation of the Financial Planning Association.

AMP Financial Planning (AMPFP) opened up the Settlement Café at Circular Quay to welcome the cyclists; Managing Director AMPFP Michael Guggenheimer was there to greet them, along with family and friends of the riders.

City of Sydney Councillor Jenny Green, herself a keen recreational cyclist, welcomed the group and acknowledged how tough riding long distances can be.  “I hope you had a lot of fun taking part in this Wheel Classic ride and salute your generosity and that of the support partners in raising the funds that will help disadvantaged young Australians.  Strong communities are built and supported only when we accept that not everything can be left to the government and that we all have a part to play.”

On the journey from Melbourne, the cyclists climbed a total elevation of over 10,500 m, the equivalent of 1.2 Mount Everests, crossing the Snowy Mountains via Cabramurra and Cooma.

They burnt an average 3,500 calories a day (double the normal level), and while riding ate 60 kilos of bananas, 360 muesli bars and uncounted numbers of protein gels to keep energy levels high.  There were three days of punishing head- and cross-winds, gusting to 60mph with high temperatures that made one cyclist comment it was “like riding into a hairdryer”.

Over $80,000 has been raised from corporate support and the individual fundraising of cyclists.  As the ride made it’s way through country Victoria and NSW, it attracted the goodwill of many people, including spontaneous donations from shopkeepers and truck drivers.

To donate to the Wheel Classic or any of the individual riders visit: www.future2fundraising.org.au/event/f2wheelclassic2013

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