2025 Licensee Summit

Welcome remarks

The opening panel will set the scene for forthcoming and constructive debate about licensee business models, commercial opportunities and threats and the key demographic, secular and regulatory trends affecting licensees, advisers and their clients. Includes table discussion.

Last year saw the blockbuster M&A deal in which Entireti took ownership of the three largest AMP advice licensees, marking the end of institutional ownership dominating the largest licensees. This session will take delegates behind the scenes of the transaction and extrapolate the lessons for licensees and advice firms on securing private equity capital and forging new identities in a more decentralised market.

This session will examine how licensees and advice firms can deploy capital expenditure to technology and innovation, without cost blowouts and excessive risk. It will consider how progressive advice providers are utilising AI developments to deepen client engagement or bolster profitability.

The proposed creation of a second tier of financial adviser, along with the expansion of the education pathway, creates two significant tailwinds for the growth of advisers. This session will explore business model and regulatory mechanisms for shoring up supply of advice while maintaining professional standards.

This session will consider the client segmentation, specialisation and growth opportunities created by the wholesale and retail client demarcation in the law. It will debate the public policy merits of the regime and unpack the investment and holistic advice provision ramifications.

The blowing out of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort will see advisers on the hook for several hundred million dollars in remediation over the next few years unless the legislation governing the scheme is reformed. This session will provide the summit with an exclusive update on the regime and next steps following a federal election. Includes table discussion.

Closing remarks

This much-anticipated session – a tradition at the Licensee Summit - unveils market-leading annual research on the leading licensee business models and financial adviser satisfaction. It will also provide a comparative analysis with financial services sub-sectors such as superannuation and managed accounts.

This session will explore how major licensee models have evolved over the past five years in response to a rapidly shifting regulatory landscape. It will examine how these firms are driving new opportunities for advice practices through M&A activity, technology, and expanded service offerings, shaping the future of financial advice in Australia. Includes table discussion.

This session will explore the exponential growth in separately managed accounts and managed discretionary accounts on and off platform. It will address regulatory debates, investor benefits and the ways in which licensees can and should become participants in the booming market.

The final session of the summit will draw out its central conclusions and throw forward to the next steps for industry collaboration across commercial, regulatory, professional and community spheres. It will take a leadership position and examine the health and hygiene of the licensee landscape. Includes table discussion.

Closing remarks