Hewison departure will open door to ‘fresh voice, ideas, enthusiasm’
Second-generation Hewison Private Wealth managing director Andrew Hewison tells Professional Planner there will be no changes to the business and no clients will be affected as a result of Pemba Capital Partners’ investment, followed by his departure at the end of the year.
Why advisers are ditching big firms for more personalised client service
Shaw and Partners has grown from 100 advisers and $4 billion under management in 2015 to more than 200 advisers and more than $50 billion today. Head of private wealth Chris Smith explains why advisers are leaving bigger firms and what’s driving demand for broader wealth advice.
Industry tensions over who will lead on cyber governance standards
The Financial Services Council has criticised the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia for engaging in anti-competitive behaviour for applying to the country’s consumer watchdog for an exemption to negotiate with third-party vendors on behalf of all super funds. The government has deferred to the associations to work together on creating a standard, but the dispute raises questions over whether the industry can self-regulate.
WTL model proven, but tailwinds alone won’t create value: Cullen
WT Financial Group founder and managing director Keith Cullen said the licensee’s business model is now proven, and that it has built the “machinery” needed to convert well-documented industry tailwinds into shareholder value.
‘Next phase’ of Infocus growth kicks off with platforms appointment
Infocus founder and managing director Darren Steinhardt says an increasing focus on working with advisers and practices outside its own licence means it needs the senior executive capability – and access to capital – to support its growth plans.
Parliament should review travel restraint laws in major financial misconduct cases
As the travel restraint of First Guardian CIO Simon Selimaj has been lifted, Shield and First Guardian investor advocate Melinda Kee writes that confidence in the system is lost long before a court delivers its verdict.
Three down, one to watch: Navigating the 2026 tax reforms
The 50 per cent capital gains tax discount is gone, negative gearing has been quarantined, and SMSF property borrowing is all but finished but the measure that should be occupying advisers most hasn’t even made it into a bill, writes Arthur Marusevich.
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Adviser numbers to settle at 14.8k by 2030: Wealth Data
Adviser researcher Padua Wealth Data expects the number of advisers in Australia to reach 14,796 by 2030. Current adviser numbers have stabilised around the 15,000 mark after the fallout from the Hayne royal commission and the introduction of professional standards saw five-figure departures from the industry.
When AI decides who’s credible, invisibility becomes the bigger risk
Prospective clients are asking AI for financial advice expertise long before they contact an adviser, writes Assured Support’s Sean Graham. Licensees that restrict what advisers publish may be managing one risk while creating another: being absent when trust is formed.
Life insurance’s “paradigm shift” is accelerating
The known chronic illnesses that have historically prevented people from working have been replaced by subjective conditions like mental illness, creating a “paradigm shift” that is impacting the performance, sustainability and design of life insurance, particularly total and permanent disability cover.
Researcher Forum
Advice Policy Summit
This event is open to CEOs and senior leaders of financial planning licensees, dealer groups and boutique advice firms, along with C-suite executives in superannuation funds with oversight of advice, education and guidance.
Budget and big super create tailwinds for advisers, licensees: Humphrey
The “structural tailwinds” of budget tax changes and big super’s focus on financial advice will help buoy financial advice and licensee businesses for years to come, says Count chief executive Hugh Humphrey. Both Count and fellow ASX-listed Centrepoint Alliance announced full-year results this week that reveal where they expect growth to come from.
Shadforth is buying businesses, not books
Not even a year on from its acquisition of Melbourne-based financial advice firm PMD Financial Advisers, Shadforth is still looking for M&A opportunities but strictly to add like-minded advisers, rather than just client books. CEO Terry Dillon tells Professional Planner what those ideal businesses looks like.
How pro-bono work helped adviser Nicola Beswick create new firm
Lawyer turned financial adviser Nicola Beswick recently launched her own financial firm White Rabbit Advisory. Through her experience on the board of the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network, she learned valuable lessons which helped her navigate the challenges of setting up her own business.
Advice