AMP has recruited SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) technical director, Peter Burgess, to its restructured SMSF team.
The appointment comes in the wake of a national television advertising campaign that AMP hopes will put it at the forefront of the fragmented but fast-growing SMSF market.
Burgess will fill the new role of head of policy and technical from April 10, reporting to AMP SMSF director of business operations Craig Jameson.
He will be responsible for interpreting SMSF legislation and its application for the development of SMSF advice strategies and technical support materials for AMP’s aligned planner network. Burgess will also lead AMP’s SMSF policy development and represent AMP in SMSF industry groups.
“I am delighted to have Peter on board. He has a strong reputation in the industry and among trustees as an authority in SMSF policy and technical support,” said AMP SMSF managing director Paul Sainsbury.
“We’re looking forward to Peter helping us build our SMSF advice policy and technical capabilities, and supporting our aligned planners to provide SMSF advice.”
Burgess has been technical director of SPAA for five years and is also a former SPAA board director.
SPAA chief executive Andrea Slattery said Burgess has played an integral role in this process, first and foremost as technical director but also as a former SPAA board member.
“His contribution to SPAA has been significant over a long period of time and, while we are sad to see Peter leave, we wish him well in his new role,” she said.
“At SPAA, he established himself as one of the leading authorities in the SMSF sector, and the AMP appointment simply confirms his stature in the industry.”
Graeme Colley, who is currently SPAA’s director of education and professional standards, will replace Burgess as technical director.
“I have been fortunate to be part of a team who are passionate and energetic about the SMSF sector, and who work diligently to drive the sector forward,” said Burgess. “I will always remain a staunch supporter of SPAA and the good work it does to lift the standard of professionalism in the SMSF sector, and I look forward to continuing my relationship with SPAA, albeit in a different capacity.”
