The winner of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) 2015 Excellence in Education Award (the Award), supported by Asteron Life, will be announced on Monday 26 October at the AFA National Adviser Conference in Cairns. The Award recognises advisers who are continually investing in themselves, their staff and their businesses, to raise professional standards through education.
The 2015 State Winners for the Award, announced throughout the AFA’s National Practitioner Roadshow, are:
Karen Walmsley, Powe Financial Advice Pty Ltd (NSW)
Jawad Ahmad, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (SA)
Charles Badenach, Main Street Financial Solutions (TAS)
Lyn Heaysman, Harvest Wealth Pty Ltd (VIC)
Joseph Hoe, Wealthwise Pty Ltd (WA)
Tim Hall, Tilea Wealth Pty Ltd (QLD)
Nick Hakes, General Manager Member Services & Campus AFA said the calibre of the state winners reflects the recognition that higher education is one of the keys to delivering great advice to more Australians and positively influencing consumer perceptions of financial advisers.
“This is an exciting time for the financial advice profession. More and more advisers are embracing higher education and using it to demonstrate a point of difference,” he said. “Our state winners encapsulate everything that is great about financial advice – technical knowledge which is expertly applied to empowering the lives of others. This year’s finalists have demonstrated that the investment in education across a broad range of disciplines has made a positive difference to their clients and to their businesses.”
Mr Hakes said all of this year’s nominations were outstanding. “We are very proud of the talent that the Award has recognised to date and we are delighted to continue to partner with Asteron Life to showcase the outstanding attitudes, behaviours, standards and commitment to lifelong learning demonstrated by advisers like these state winners,” he said. “The AFA believes other advisers will be inspired by the state winners to invest in their own education, above and beyond what is required in terms of compliance, in order to ensure that they are giving their clients the best possible experience, while also raising professional standards within the financial advice profession.”
Asteron Life Executive Manager Mark Vilo said education plays a vital role in restoring consumer confidence in the financial planning industry and holds the key to ensuring a thriving future for advisers, life companies and licensees.
“Adviser education standards is a topic that has largely gone under the radar throughout the reform process. This award provides the perfect platform to showcase the level of professionalism and talent that exists in our industry and show to consumers that there is a commitment to ongoing education,” he said.
State winners of the Award are chosen for their commitment to professional development through continuing education and making a difference within the marketplace and their local community through the practical application of their knowledge and expertise.
Candidates are judged on the quality of their written nomination. Judges then conducted phone interviews with shortlisted candidates. Candidates are also given a weighting across four award criteria, including:
50% on formal education
30% on practical application of education
10% on contribution to one’s industry
10% on contribution to one’s community
