Why the principal of this $1.4b super-firm sold control to Count
Jason Birch helped build Skybridge from a regional advice firm in central west NSW to a national roll-up of 35 acquisitions. Now, he is handing ASX-listed Count an initial 75 per cent stake to fund the next stage.
FAAA looks to adviser numbers boost as operating deficit widens
The peak industry association, the Financial Advice Association Australia, reported an operating deficit of $880,000 for FY26, up from $635,000 the year before, but said it is optimistic that announced education changes will lead to a boost in adviser numbers. Its own membership held firm during the year, declining by less than 1 per cent.
Among the world’s best advisers, but too few to go round
World Financial Planning Day is a smart way of showcasing financial advice and financial planning and the benefits to consumers. But in Australia, at least, it’s not demand for advice that is lacking, but the supply. And until that’s addressed in a meaningful way, Australian advisers might be among the best in the world, but too many people will continue to miss out on their services.
RMIT students take out two of top three places in 2026 University Challenge
The Entireti University Challenge – established 16 years ago by AMP – continues to attract strong support from students around the country, with 91 teams from 13 tertiary institutions taking part this year. Entireti chief executive officer Neil Younger says the competition showcases the “high calibre of talent coming up through our universities and tertiary education institutions at a critical time for the profession”.
FSCP decision reveals an underrated benefit of association membership
The financial adviser code of ethics requires advisers to uphold and promote professional ethical standards and hold each other accountable for protecting the public interest. This can be harder for advisers working in isolation or with restricted peer contact, and limited insight into how others operate.
Pressure mounts on Big Tech’s role in Shield and First Guardian
Unlicensed financial advice and harmful lead generation on social media and in AI-enabled chat threads are emerging as yet another concerning cultural development that governments, households and financial professionals must grapple with as part of Silicon Valley’s social reckoning.
Transforming to serve 100,000 clients takes more than a rebrand
To achieve transformational change, advice businesses need four essential ingredients: direct client relationships, scale, capital and transformation capability. Until now, no advice business has possessed all four.
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FAAA board elections attract 18 candidates for three board seats
Voting for three seats on the board of the Financial Advice Association Australia has opened, and a total of 18 candidates have put up their hands. Results will be announced before the association’s annual general meeting in November, which will also be when chair David Sharpe hands over to Michelle Vietch.
How Fortnum invested in improving its cyber security
When Fortnum Private Wealth reported a cyber security breach to ASIC it prompted the regulator to sue the licensee, and earlier this month Fortnum paid $1.35 million to resolve the matter. Entireti group chief executive officer Neil Younger and Fortnum CEO Matt Brown spoke exclusively to Professional Planner about the lessons learned, and the future of protecting client data.
M&A and push to reduce fees driving great ‘investment menu clean-up’
Advice and wealth management firms worldwide are undertaking a great “investment menu clean-up”, driven by M&A, a desire for stronger investment conviction and lower client fees and, in Australia, renewed regulatory scrutiny of product failures.
Researcher Forum
This is the flagship event dedicated to the governance and construction of investment portfolios by financial advisers in Australia. It brings together influential stakeholders including research houses, asset consultants, platforms, licensees and responsible entities to debate best practice in investment research, advice and managed accounts.
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.
ASIC takes Falcon Capital directors to court over First Guardian collapse
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has started proceedings against David Anderson and Simon Selimaj, former directors of Falcon Capital, for alleged failures in managing millions of dollars of superannuation money invested in the collapsed First Guardian Master Fund.
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So long and farewell
Several months ago, I made the difficult personal decision to step down as Professional Planner editor. While I look forward to my future plans, it has been bittersweet to leave behind a masthead I have loved leading and a financial advice profession I have great respect for.
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How pro bono advice delivers a helping hand in tough times
Navigating the world of insurance claims can be daunting, especially for people facing significant health or financial challenges. Financial adviser Natalie Lackner volunteered for the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network to help those in need secure access to advice.
Industry