The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) is calling for nominations for the 2013 AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award.
The aim of the annual award, a joint initiative by the AFA and TAL Life Insurance, is to acknowledge outstanding achievement by female financial advisers and encourage more women to enter the financial advice profession.
TAL Life chief executive Brett Clark said that he was again impressed by the calibre of the nominees received so far, and encourages female advisers and their colleagues to seek the recognition and benefits that the award provides.
“Recent studies show that over 90 per cent of women believe they need to be more involved in financial planning, but only 38 per cent are currently using a financial planner. It’s crucial we take steps to bridge the gender gap in our industry,” he said.
Chief executive of AFA Brad Fox said that while gender imbalance improvements have been made, greater female participation in the financial advice sector is still needed.
“Financial services would benefit from more women holding leadership positions, and more females taking up financial advice as a career,” he said. “That’s why the AFA, with the support of TAL, launched this award in 2011 – it was to be a catalyst, to shine a light on the amazing female adviser talent in Australia, to showcase excellence, to focus attention on how females participate in financial advice and ultimately attract a greater participation level.”
Last year’s winner, Christine Hornery, said that the award had helped highlight the achievements of female financial planners and given them the confidence to speak out and share their stories.
“More women should be encouraged to enter our profession,” she said. “It provides excellent opportunities and flexibility, but more importantly it provides rewards in terms of helping others achieve financial security.”
The 2013 winner of the AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award will be announced at the AFA National Conference on October 15, and will receive a handcrafted trophy, a special certificate and a full scholarship to complete an executive leadership course at the Macquarie School of Management in Sydney.
Nominations close on July 31.
