Troy Smith

Aware Super is strengthening its support for financial advisers as part of its growth strategy, investing in new capability to help advisers deliver better retirement outcomes for their clients.

Financial advisers play an important role in Australia’s advice ecosystem, particularly for clients seeking tailored advice to navigate complex financial and retirement decisions. Aware Super has seen strong growth in the number of registered advisers using its services, alongside the establishment of new licensee partnerships.

Against this backdrop, the fund is continuing to expand its Advice Relationships capability with a focus on providing advisers with trusted, practical support, local relationship management and deep technical expertise.

As part of this focus, Aware Super has created a new role, Senior Manager, Technical Services, appointing Troy Smith.

The role sits within its Advice Relationships team and is responsible for developing and delivering technical education to licensees and advisers through professional development days, industry association events and webinars, as well as providing technical support to financial advisers working with the fund across complex client scenarios.

Mr Smith brings more than 15 years’ experience across technical and advice-facing teams at Insignia and ANZ/OnePath, including the role of National Manager, Technical Services at Insignia. Most recently, he worked at Zurich as Partnership Disputes Resolution Manager.

Aware Super General Manager Growth and Partnerships Natalie Jarvis said Mr Smith’s appointment would further strengthen the fund’s adviser proposition.

“As adviser engagement continues to grow, it’s critical we invest in deep technical capability that advisers can rely on,” she said.

“Troy brings extensive industry experience and a strong ability to translate complex technical issues into practical guidance, which will further enhance the support we provide to advisers and, ultimately, their clients.”

Mr Smith will report to Aware Super National Manager Advice Relationships Warwick Gribble.

Ms Jarvis said the appointment reflected the $235 billion Fund’s long‑term commitment to working constructively and collaboratively alongside the advice profession.

“We understand that advice is not one size fits all, and that many of our members value the personalised guidance that comes from working with a trusted financial adviser,” Ms Jarvis said.

“Our role is to support that advice ecosystem by equipping advisers with strong local relationships, high‑quality technical support and education, while ensuring members can access advice in the way that suits them best.”

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In Sydney, Donna Arnold and Warrick Oakes have been promoted to partner, while David Prescott steps into the role in Perth. In addition, Troy Smith has been promoted to director in Adelaide. All four new appointees are Chartered Accountants, reflecting the Association’s commitment to technical excellence and professional standards.

These appointments follow a series of promotions in November, which saw the addition of three partners and six directors, underscoring the depth of talent within the Association.

Mark Muller, chair of the HLB Mann Judd Australasian Association, said the promotions reflect the strength of the firms and the calibre of their people.

“Our profession is evolving rapidly with increasing complexity across all practices. Demand for sophisticated tax advice, transaction support and innovation incentives is accelerating, making deep technical capability more critical than ever for our clients. These promotions highlight the areas where we see the greatest need – complex corporate and international tax, M&A and valuation expertise, business advisory and R&D-focused growth strategies.

“At the same time, we continue to embrace technological advancements while staying true to our core focus: people and clients.”

Donna Arnold brings over 15 years’ experience in tax advisory, including senior leadership roles at the Australian Taxation Office. She specialises in corporate and international tax. Donna holds a master’s in professional accounting and a bachelor of economics from the University of New South Wales.

Warrick Oakes has been with the Sydney firm’s corporate advisory division since 2016 and is a specialist in mergers and acquisitions. He works with Australian and international firms with a range of services including transaction due diligence, valuation services and strategic growth opportunities. He is an accredited advisor with Family Business Association.

David Prescott first joined HLB Mann Judd as a cadet in 2007 and spent nine years with the firm before moving to the UK. He returned to Perth in 2018 to re-join the firm’s business advisory services division. David has a particular focus on taxation advice and compliance, and holds a bachelor of commerce (accounting) from Curtin University.

Troy Smith is a research and development (R&D) tax specialist, supporting clients in strategic advisory, the R&D Tax Incentive, Early-Stage Innovation Company (ESIC) scheme, and other growth-focused initiatives. He joined the Adelaide firm in 2019 and is a member of R&D Tax Advisers Association . He holds a bachelor of commerce (accounting & management) from the University of Adelaide.

The promotions cap off a significant year for the Association, which expanded its network with a Newcastle-based audit and assurance business joining and the acquisition of a Perth advisory firm.

The HLB Mann Judd network now comprises 12 independent member firms located in major cities and regional business centres in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, as well as one representative firm.

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