The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and Zurich are pleased to announce that Darren Johns from Align Financial is the 2016 AFA Adviser of the Year, and Henderson Maxwell is the 2016 AFA Practice of the Year.
AFA CEO Brad Fox said both Mr Johns of Align Financial in Narrabeen NSW, and Henderson Maxwell from Sydney, are outstanding examples of the high caliber and professionalism of AFA award winners.
“The judging process for the AFA Adviser of the Year and the AFA Practice of the Year Awards is deliberately rigorous,” Mr Fox said. “We have to be convinced that the winners are genuinely outstanding on a number of fronts. Therefore, the judging panel evaluates the finalists on client responses to our in-depth client survey, their advice documents and processes, the interviews we have with their staff, and the opinion we form after an onsite visit to their practice. The final stage is their face-to-face presentation to the seven-member judging panel. Without a shadow of a doubt, each of these finalists has earned the right to be recognised as being at the top of our profession.”
Now in its fourteenth year, the AFA Adviser of the Year Award is a joint initiative between the AFA and Zurich, and it is regarded as Australia’s most prestigious award for financial advisers. In its third year, the AFA Practice of the Year, which is also a joint AFA/Zurich initiative, is the foremost award for financial advice practices.
Mr Johns’ distinguishing factor in winning the AFA Adviser of the Year was the combination of his exceptional client relationships coupled with his demonstration to clients that they can achieve well-being, financial security, and lifestyle outcomes whilst still working, and he lives that through his own family, work and life choices.
Henderson Maxwell as the AFA Practice of the Year, led by Founder and CEO Sam Henderson and General Manager Tony Davison, demonstrated their expertise across all of the judging criteria. As a diversified financial services practice they bring a complete experience to their clients, and have successfully leveraged Mr Henderson’s media profile to attract and educate a broad demographic of clients. It is an innovative practice and has used social media very effectively as an engagement tool.
Zurich Life and Investments CEO Tim Bailey said Zurich is very pleased to continue to support the AFA Adviser of Year Award and the AFA Practice of the Year Award.
“Advisers can and do make a profound, positive difference in the lives of everyday Australians,” he said. “These Awards, which Zurich has supported since launch, are an important opportunity to identify, shine a spotlight on, and share best practice within the profession. This year’s winners are testament to the way advisers are constantly innovating in order to improve both the customer experience – and the accessibility – of quality financial advice.”
The Awards were presented at a Gala Dinner at the AFA National Adviser Conference in Canberra this evening.
