Risk People Update

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AZ NGA appoints new senior leader

CountPlus chief operating officer Graham McGeagh is joining AZ Next Generation Advisory’s leadership team in early 2022. McGeagh is to oversee AZ NGA’s offer and service proposition to member companies, while also leading business transformation initiatives.

FPA appoints new CEO

With Dante De Gori leaving in 2022, a new chief executive has been announced by the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Sarah Abood will take over the top job from mid-January 2022. Abood has over two decades’ experience in financial services and most recently worked at HOPE.

MLC Life welcomes chief group insurance officer

Mark Puli is the new chief group insurance officer at MLC Life Insurance after a restructure of the life insurance division. The group insurance team will now be a separate standalone function, while the retail insurance team will continue under the life insurance division. Puli replaces outgoing chief Sean Williamson. Puli moves into the role from the chief role at ESSSuper.

ClearView welcomes chief claims officer

Joanna Faglioni is the new chief claims officer at ClearView, a newly-created position. Faglioni joins from Zurich Australia in a similar role.

 AMP appoints chief tech officer

Felicia Trewin has been appointed as chief technology officer at AMP Limited, set to rollout digital and data technology across the group. Trewin will also be part of the group executive committee. Trewin moves into the role from AustralianSuper as a group executive of technology services.

FPA Awards

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

  • FPA Certified Financial Planner Professional of the Year Award - Kathryn Creasy

  • FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award - Apt Wealth (NSW)

  • FPA Financial Planner of the Year Award for 2021 is Leanne Bielik of 2020 Wealth PTY LTD (VIC)

  • FPA Advice Innovation Award is Daniel Thompson of FINNACLE (NSW) 

  • FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award was given to Andrew Mann of Tupicoffs (QLD)

  • FPA University Student of the Year Award is Nicole Gardner of Kaplan Professional (VIC)

  • FPA Community Service Award supported by the Future2 Foundation is Peter O’Connell (VIC)

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER OF THE YEAR

    Alison Henderson
    David Sharpe
    Marisa Broome

  • FINANCIAL PLANNER AFP OF THE YEAR
    Michelle Tate-Lovery
    Ben Marshan
    Nat Daley

  • FPA Professional Practice of the Year
    Diana D'Ambra
    Julie Matheson
    Neil Kendall

  •  FPA Advice Innovation Award 
    Ben Marshan
    Andy Marshall
    Fraser Jack 

  • FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award
    William Johns
    Vicky Ampoulos
    Mark O'Toole

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

Women in Finance Awards 2021

The winners of IFA’s Women in Finance Awards have been announced, celebrating the achievements of women in finance. There were 29 winners across multiple sectors, including accounting, tax, law, financial advice, superannuation and self-managed super.

  • ACCOUNTANT OF THE YEAR - Natalie Lennon, Two Sides

  • ACCOUNTING CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR - Miriam Holme, FAB Tax Accountants

  • AUDITOR OF THE YEAR - Katrina Fletcher, Elite Super

  • BANKING AND FINANCE LAWYER OF THE YEAR - Paula Nassif, King & Wood Mallesons

  • BOOKKEEPER OF THE YEAR - Tamara-Lee Beveridge, BizCore 360

  • BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Heather Gallagher, outsource Financial

  • CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE YEAR - Susan Mitchell, Mortgage Choice

  • DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR - Angela Manning, Goldman Sachs & JBWere Superannuation Fund

  • ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - Debra Taylor, OpenSparkz

  • EXECUTIVE / PERSONAL ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR - Rivka Louwen, Finsure Finance & Insurance

  • FINANCIAL ADVISER OF THE YEAR - Shannon Smit, SMART Business Solutions Financial Planning

  • FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR - Carolyn Breeze, GoCardless

  • INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR - Kathy Taylor-Hofmann, GBST

  • MARKETING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Lisa Jackson, Loan Market Group

  • MENTOR OF THE YEAR - Casty Nyaga, Choice Accounting and Taxation Services

  • MORTGAGE AND FINANCE BROKER OF THE YEAR - Louisa Sanghera, Zippy Financial

  • OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR - Yasmin Weston, Capital Partners Consulting

  • PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR - Katie Bryan, Propeller Advisory

  • REGIONAL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Nicole Hurkens, Tradie CFO

  • SMALL BUSINESS ADVISER OF THE YEAR - Kyelie Baxter, IQ Accountants

  • SMSF ADVISER OF THE YEAR - Megan Kelly, businessDEPOT

  • THOUGHT LEADER OF THE YEAR - Robyn Jacobson, The Tax Institute

  • YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR - Evelyn Clark, Everlend

  • WOMEN IN FINANCE EXCELLENCE AWARD - Miriam Holme, FAB Tax Accountants

GROUP AWARDS

  • EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR - Liberty Financial

  • EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR (SME) - Futurity Investment Group

  • TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE YEAR - Power Tynan

  • WELLNESS PROGRAM/INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR - Ladies Finance Club

  • WOMEN’S COMMUNITY PROGRAM OF THE YEAR - HiCom Accounting